Nov. 11: Veteran's Day Parade

Aurora will conduct its annual Veterans Day parade and ceremony to recognize the commitment local military service men and women have given to our country.

The parade will step off at 10:15 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11 at Broadway Avenue and Benton Street in downtown Aurora. The parade route will proceed north on Broadway to Downer Place and then head west to the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall, 23 E. Downer Place.

Groups participating in the parade will be the East Aurora High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, Chicago Highland Rifles, Aurora Lamplighter Chorus, Quilts of Valor and many local veteran organizations.

The “Honoring All Who Served” ceremony will be held at about 10:30 a.m. at the GAR Memorial Hall. The ceremony will conclude with a military rifle salute by veteran organizations at 11 a.m.

Aurora resident and Illinois Army National Guard Sgt. First Class Christopher Hess will serve as the keynote speaker at the ceremony. After graduating from Aurora Central Catholic High School, Waubonsee Community College and Western Illinois University, the 15-year military veteran was a Bronze Star recipient, among his many military commendations. Hess has been deployed to the Middle East on several occasions, including Operation Desert Storm with the Marine Corps (1990-91), the War on Terror in Iraq (2003-04) and Afghanistan (2008-09). He currently is a readiness non-commissioned officer with the Aurora Army National Guard.

Parade parking will be available at the Stolp Avenue parking deck located on the corner of Downer Place and Stolp Avenue. Parade patrons should use the entrance on Stolp Avenue to access the parking deck.

The parade and ceremony are sponsored by the City of Aurora and the Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post No. 84. For more information, visit the City’s website at www.aurora-il.org.

July 4: Independence Day in Aurora

Aurora will be painted red, white and blue Monday, July 4 with a full-day of activities for the whole family.

Independence Day will begin with a downtown parade presented by the Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84 in partnership with the City of Aurora.

The event will start with a patriotic ceremony at 9:15 a.m. outside the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. The parade will step off at 10 a.m. at the corner of Benton and River streets, marching east to Broadway Avenue, north to Galena Boulevard, west to Stolp Avenue, south to Downer Place and conclude heading west to Middle Avenue.

Father Jerome “Jerry” Leake, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Aurora, has been named the 2011 Fourth of July Parade Grand Marshal. Father Leake has become a popular figure in Aurora by performing chaplain duties for the City’s Police Department and the community for decades. He has logged more than 30,000 hours on ride-alongs with Aurora police officers and has provided counseling, ministry and comfort to victims and offenders in the aftermath of traumatic situations.

After being severely injured in a police ride-along accident in December, Father Leake completed a rigorous rehabilitation schedule to once again serve the students and more than 800 parishioners at St. Joseph School and Church. He also is back in the squad car on the streets with the Aurora Police Department.

Before coming to St. Joseph Church 14 years ago, Father Leake served as a teacher, coach and assistant principal at Aurora Central Catholic and Rosary high schools.

Groups scheduled to march in the parade include the American Legion Post 84 Band, Chicago Highland Rifles, East Aurora and West Aurora high school marching bands and local Boy and Girl Scouts. Bill Baker will serve as the parade emcee, and the Legacy Girls will perform in the pre-parade ceremony.

For more information on the Fourth of July Parade, visit the American Legion’s website at www.post84.com or the City’s website at www.aurora-il.org.

The fun continues in the evening with the Independence Day fireworks program starting at 6 p.m. at the Illinois Math & Science Academy, 1500 W. Sullivan Road. The event is being sponsored by the City of Aurora and the Village of North Aurora.

The entertainment schedule includes:
· 6 to 9:30 p.m. – Food vendors, Inflatables and live entertainment

· 6 to 7 p.m. – Circus Boy (Juggler and circus acts)

· 7 to 8 p.m. – Second Time Around (Popular hits from the past 50 years)

· 8 to 8:15 p.m. – Patriotic Ceremony

· 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. – American Legion Post 84 Band

· 9:30 p.m. – Fireworks


With parking near the school being limited, residents are strongly encouraged to arrive early or use the free shuttle bus service.

Parking will be available at the Illinois Math & Science Academy; Aurora Central Catholic High School, 1255 N. Edgelawn Drive; Hyundai, 1705 Sequoia Drive; Milgard Windows & Doors, 1785 N. Edgelawn Drive; Kraft/Excel, 1700 N. Edgelawn Drive; Fox Valley Park District’s Vaughan Athletic Center, 2121 W. Indian Trail Road; and Rosary High School, 901 N. Edgelawn Drive. Handicapped parking is available at the Illinois Math & Science Academy, Aurora Central Catholic High School and Randall Park, 1500 W. Indian Trail Road.

The park and ride shuttle service begins at 6 p.m. and will provide roundtrip transportation at seven locations including:

Blue Route: Indian Trail and Orchard roads
· Home Depot, 1250 N. Orchard Road

· Lowe’s, 2372 W. Indian Trail Road


Red Route: Galena Boulevard
· West Aurora Plaza, 1901 W. Galena Blvd.

· West Aurora High School, 1201 W. New York St.


Green Route: Lake Street and Indian Trail Road
· Cermak Fresh Markets, 1250 N. Lake St.

· Provena Mercy Medical Center Outpatient Lot, 1325 N. Highland Ave.


Purple Route: Orchard Gateway at Hansen Boulevard
· Woodman’s Market, 151 Hansen Blvd., North Aurora


Lawn chairs and small hand-held coolers are permitted at the fireworks festivities. Large coolers, alcohol and smoking are prohibited on the shuttle buses. Aurora police officers will be writing citations for anyone possessing or setting off illegal fireworks at the event.

For more information on the fireworks program, visit www.aurora-il.org.

May 30: Memorial Day Parade

The City of Aurora will remember the service men and women who gave their lives for our country during the annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony on Monday, May 30.

A pre-parade ceremony will be held at 11:15 a.m. at the reviewing stand at 20 E. Downer Place. The ceremony will kick-off with the East Aurora High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps honor guard presenting the colors and local Boy and Girl Scouts leading the Pledge of Allegiance. The Waubonsie Valley High School Varsity singers will perform and Jay Harriman will serve as the master of ceremonies.

The parade steps off at noon from River and Benton streets, heads east to Broadway Avenue, turns north to Downer Place and finishes west ending at Middle Avenue. Nine local military groups and nine marching bands including Metea Valley, West Aurora, Waubonsie Valley and East Aurora high schools; and K.D. Waldo, Fischer, Hill, Granger and Still middle schools will take part in the parade.

Other parade highlights include the Kansas-based 1stInfantry Division Mounted Color Guard and Marching Band, which has ties back to the Civil War, the Chicago Highland Rifles bagpipers, floats, local organizations and entertainers.

For more information on the parade, visit the City’s website at www.aurora-il.org. The parade will be shown on Aurora Community Television (ACTV) Channel 10 during June.

May 15: Parade in North Aurora

"Rolling to the River" North Aurora Mothers Club - Community Parade

Sunday, May 15th, 2011
We had so much fun with this event last year, we just had to delight our community again this year, with another parade.

The parade will kick-off at 2pm -- heading east on Oak Street and ending at Island Park, where NOARDA will once again plan a post parade community gathering. As you recall from last year, they did a great job with refreshments, entertainment and games for everyone. We are pleased to be working with them again this year.

New this year = King and Queen Contest --- The winners of this contest will each be awarded a $500 scholarship. See website for details.