89-year-old veteran to lead Aurora’s 157th Memorial Day parade
The city of Aurora will celebrate the 157th anniversary of Memorial Day during the 2025 Aurora Memorial Day Parade.
Held in honor of the brave men and women who paid the ultimate price for our country, the parade is set to step off at 10 a.m. Monday, May 26 at the intersection of Benton and River streets.
The 2025 Grand Marshal, Arlen Peterson, will lead the parade. Peterson has lived in Aurora for over 60 years, and served in Germany as a member of the U.S. Army from 1954-1955. Following his time in the military, he served the community through his work as a postal carrier and air traffic controller. He has also spent years in ministry, giving back to Aurora through his time as a leader at Wayside Cross Ministries and the former Claim Street Baptist Church.
Now, at 89 years old, Peterson recently defeated an aggressive form of kidney cancer, and is now in remission. Join in honoring his years of service to Aurora, and his victory over cancer.
The parade also will feature local veteran groups and military organizations, including the Aurora Veterans Advisory Council, Roosevelt Aurora American Legion Post 84, Fox Valley Marines Detachment #1233, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the G.A.R. Memorial Commission.
Marching bands will fill the parade with music from the talented youth at East Aurora, West Aurora and Waubonsie Valley high schools and Scullen and Fischer middle schools, along with the Aurora Roosevelt American Legion Band.
Other crowd favorites such as the South Shore Drill Team, the Lamplighters Barbershop Chorus, Costumers with a Cause, Phillips Park Zoo, Aurora Public Library’s Bookmobile, East Aurora NJROTC, West Aurora High School Cheer Team, and Diamond Dance Academy will help to energize Aurora for the 157th anniversary of Memorial Day.
Free parking is available in downtown. Visitors are encouraged to arrive before 9:30 a.m. to provide enough time for parking and viewing preparation on the parade route. Visit aurora.il.us.