Slump in economy doesn't take pep from North Aurora Days

Even though the economy has forced North Aurora Days to make a few cutbacks, planners for this year's festival look forward to another weekend filled with fireworks, pet parades and a little glow in the dark golf.

The weekend long festival begins Friday and runs until Sunday. Most of the activity will be happening at the Clock Tower Plaza, located at the corner of Oak and Randall Roads.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday an arts and crafts vendor fair will be held at the Mooseheart field house, on E. State Street.

Admission is free but this year organizers are asking the public to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry to help those in need, especially in light of the economic times.

"We're trying to help out ... because the economy has had such a bad impact on people. We think it's a good idea now, but it's really a good idea to donate food at any time," North Aurora Days Chairman Max Herwig said.

According to Herwig, North Aurora Days first began as a one-day sports oriented event 27 years ago. Now the festival runs for three days, featuring a communitywide garage sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, an emergency vehicle lights and sirens parade at 7 p.m. Friday, a nighttime golf outing beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday, fireworks Friday night and a pet parade at from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Even though many popular events like the night golf outing and the pet parade will be back this year, Herwig says the annual Beerfest had to be canceled because many of the microbrewers the event relies on could not participate this year due to the economy.

Herwig also says that North Aurora Days sponsorship is significantly down this year, as are the number of people preregistered for the nighttime golf outing at Valley Green Golf Course in North Aurora.

However, by consolidating its Fourth of July fireworks with Aurora's, North Aurora was able to put more money toward its festival fireworks show, making this year's bigger than ever.

Herwig insists that no matter what economic setbacks North Aurora faces, the festival will never be entirely canceled.

"We have a lot of dedicated people working on North Aurora Days because they know that it's the right thing to do for the community.

"The biggest satisfaction for me is going out to the festival and watching people enjoying themselves; it kind of makes all the headaches you get while planning go away," Herwig said.

<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> The North Aurora Days festival, featuring a community wide garage sale Friday and Saturday, a craft fair, fireworks, nighttime golf outing Friday night, live music Friday and Saturday night and pet parade Sunday afternoon.</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> The Clocktower Plaza in North Aurora at the corner of Oak and Randall roads. The craft fair will be held at the Mooseheart field house on East State Street.</p> <p class="News"><b>Cost: </b>Admission is free but organizers ask that people bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry.</p> <p class="News"><b>Details:</b> <a href="http://vil.north-aurora.il.us" target="new">vil.north-aurora.il.us</a></p> <div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=309921">North Aurora pet parade promises doggone good time <span class="date">[7/30/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>