July 4: Fourth of July FIREWORKS in Aurora, IL

PARADE, MUSIC, FAMILY FUN, AND FIREWORKS ON TAP JULY 4

The City of Aurora will be painted red, white and blue on July 4 and will celebrate the nation’s independence with a full day of family fun including a parade, live music, local food vendors, children’s activities, and the region’s most dynamic fireworks display--- all taking place in the downtown.

The day will start with a patriotic pre-parade ceremony at 9:15 a.m. at the parade reviewing stand, outside the Paramount Theater, 23 E. Galena Boulevard. The Independence Day Parade, presented in partnership with the Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84, will step off at 10 a.m. at the corner of Benton and River Streets.  It will travel east to Broadway Avenue, north to Galena, west to Stolp Avenue, south to Downer Place, then west on Downer and conclude at River Street.

Groups scheduled to march in this year’s parade include the Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84 band, East Aurora Summer Camp Band, West Aurora Marching Band, Waubonsee Steel Drum Band, Oswego Step Team “Divas and Gents”, Aurora Central Catholic High School cheer squad, and many other community organizations including local veteran groups and scout troops.

The City and American Legion Post 84 are inviting Korean War veterans and their families to view the parade from the reviewing stand, or the tent adjacent to the reviewing stand, in remembrance of the 60^thAnniversary of the Korean War.  Interested parties should call Aurora’s Special Events Division at (630) 256-3370 to reserve a seat.

Longtime Aurora residents and community volunteers Tom and Lynda Elmore have been named parade Grand Marshals.

West Aurora High School senior Alyssa DeBolt will be recognized during the parade for her winning poster design that was used to publicize the event in various print and online media in a competition staged by Legion Post 84. Alyssa will be receiving a Kindle Fire for her creativity and artwork. Also receiving prizes for their runner-up entries will be Alyssa Johansen, from O’Donnell School and Rosa Nevarez, a senior at the American Academy of Art in Chicago.

Free parking for the parade will be available at all downtown parking lots as well as the Stolp Island Parking Deck at Stolp and Downer.  Parking in the deck will be accessible until 9:50 a.m., and no vehicles will be allowed to exit until after the parade.  A complete list of parking lots can be viewed on the City’s website atwww.aurora-il.org and clicking on the downtown parking information icon on the homepage.

Motorists are advised that portions of the parade route will be closing at 8:30 a.m.  No street parking will be permitted on Galena from Lake Street to Broadway; Downer from Lake to Stolp; Benton from Lake to Broadway; River from Gale Street to Galena; and Middle Avenue, from Cross Street to Downer.  In addition, Hoyt Place will close to thru traffic. 

The holiday will culminate with huge celebrations at three different downtown locations beginning at 5 p.m., before the City’s fireworks extravaganza at 9:30.  All three locations: RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway; Wilder Promenade, 350 N. River; and McCullough Park, Illinois Avenue at Lake Street; will feature differently-themed, free, family-fun events and activities including live music and wide array of local food vendors.  They will also be perfect locations to view the fireworks which are returning to downtown for the first time in approximately 10 years.

“Fourth on the Fox”, presented at RiverEdge Park, will feature Bruce in the USA, one of the premiere Bruce Springsteen tribute bands in the nation, at 5:30 p.m., followed by a mix of patriotic music and classical favorites performed by the Fox Valley Orchestra at 8:15.

Wilder Promenade will be the scene of “Family Fourth” and will feature inflatable rides and other children’s attractions along with musical entertainment by DJ Jerome.

At McCullough Park, the Aurora Historical Society is presenting “Hometown Fourth” featuring music from acoustic ensemble Hudson Crossing, Aurora-inspired tunes performed by the Bradley Keven Green Family Band, patriotic songs by the American Legion Band, and classic rock courtesy of Captains of Industry.  In addition, magician Windy City Wizard will make an appearance along with games and stories dating back hundreds of years.

The three locations are within walking distance of each other which makes visiting each venue easy and convenient for patrons.  In addition, the City is offering free park and ride shuttle service from 6 to 9 p.m.providing roundtrip transportation at numerous locations.  The shuttles will resume service after the fireworks display with the latest departure scheduled for 11 p.m. The park and ride locations include:

Blue Route

·         La Sierra de Aurora, 2121 E. New York St.

·         Carquest Auto Parts, 3 N. Smith St.

·         Main Baptist Church, 814 E. Galena (Parking only. Patrons should catch the shuttle across the street at Carquest)

Orange Route

·         St. Athanasios Church, 1855 E. Fifth Av.

·         East Aurora High School, 500 Tomcat Ln.

Red Route

·         Luigi’s Pizza, 732 N. Prairie St.

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

Pink Route

·         Northgate Shopping Center, 850 N. Lake St. (Dedicated shuttle that will run only between Northgate and McCullough Park)

Green Route

·         Presence Mercy Medical Center, 1325 N. Highland Av.

·         Cermack’s Supermarket, 1250 N. Lake St.

Gold Route

·         Aurora Police Department, 1200 E. Indian Tr.

·         Indian Trail Shopping Plaza & Business Center, 254-302 E. Indian Tr.

Purple Route

·         AMF Valley Bowling Center (former site), 310 S. Lincolnway Av., North Aurora

In addition, free parking will be offered at all downtown municipal lots including the Aurora Transportation Center and the lots along River Street.

The City of Lights will live up to its name at 9:30 p.m., with the launching of a bigger-than-ever fireworks display.  The City has chosen a new vendor, Melrose Pyrotechnics, to conduct the show.  The company, based in Kingsbury, IN, has won numerous awards in pyrotechnics competitions staged around the world including Japan, Viet Nam, China, Canada, and scores of others.

The family activities and fireworks are co-sponsored by the City of Aurora, Village of North Aurora, RiverEdge Park, the Fox Valley Park District, Aurora Historical Society and HR Green. 

More information on Aurora’s Independence Day festivities is available on the City’s website at www.aurora-il.org or by calling the Customer Service Division at (630) 256-INFO (4636).