Fire museum turns 50 with free family event Oct. 6

The Aurora Regional Fire Museum will host a Community Hero Day and Touch-a-Truck event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6.

This free event will include activities for the whole family to enjoy. The event will feature a Touch-a-Truck, community organizations, pop-up shops, and free fire truck rides. Families will have an opportunity to take a ride in a 1991 fire engine from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Oct. 6 is the museum's 50th anniversary of being open to the public. While the museum has evolved over the last half century, they are excited for what the future holds.

"We are hosting this event as a way to welcome the entire Aurora community and region down to the museum to explore all that we have to offer," said museum director Brian Failing.

The Touch-a-Truck will include vehicles from the Aurora Fire Department, Aurora Police Department, City of Aurora, Aurora Public Library Bookmobile, Oswego Fire Department, Kane County Sheriff, Illinois State Police, and Durham School Services.

Wander the grounds and explore the museum. A variety of community partners will be on hand, including SERVPRO of Aurora, CTS Fire & Safety, Costco, Star 96.7 FM, Champion Allstate Agency, New York Life Insurance, Universal Security Instruments, Illinois State Treasurer, SciTech Hands-on Museum, and GlowZone Aurora.

There will be birthday cake, while supplies last. Food is available for purchase from several food trucks.

Community Hero Day is presented by Inspection Reports Online. They thank IROL and all of the sponsors for their generous contributions to keep this event free for the entire community.

Since 1968, the Aurora Regional Fire Museum has been an important part of the Aurora community. Originally established by the Aurora Fire Department in 1966, the museum has grown from an exhibit in the basement of Fire Station No. 4 to a regionally recognized institution chronicling the history of firefighting in our community and region.

The Aurora Regional Fire Museum preserves the history of the Aurora Fire Department and fire service in the region through its collections and exhibits, while educating visitors about fire safety and prevention. From humble beginnings to the museum visitors know and love today, it welcomes more than 9,000 visitors annually for tours, programs, and events.

For information, contact Brian Failing at (630) 256-4140 or info@auroraregionalfiremuseum.org, or visit auroraregionalfiremuseum.org or www.facebook.com/AuroraRegionalFireMuseum/.