Aurora prepares to celebrate Independence Day on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 with an action-packed day of Fourth of July activities - from the parade in the morning to a picnic in the afternoon to the fireworks at night!
MORNING PARADE
Celebrating both the 242nd anniversary of the United States and the 200th anniversary of Illinois, the pre-parade ceremony is a community celebration beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the reviewing stand located in front of the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. Receive a free handheld American flag as we sing Happy Birthday to our country and state with a dance party led by Simple Destinee and AKA Dance Studio!
The parade then begins at 10 a.m. with nearly 90 exciting units led by Grand Marshal Jose Martinez, a hometown hero and coach who risked his own life to rescue another person. Stepping off at Benton and River Streets, the parade heads east on Benton, north on Broadway, west on Galena Boulevard, south on Stolp Avenue, and west on Downer Place, ending on River.
The best viewing locations are at two separate reviewing stands: the main stage in front of the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., and a pop-up stage near Benton and Stolp.
AFTERNOON PICNIC
Following the parade, the Aurora Historical Society will hosts its annual Independence Day Picnic and Bell Ringing Ceremony from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tanner House, 305 Cedar St.
The annual event will feature old-fashioned Fourth of July with music, games, petting zoo, museum tours, pie-eating contest, food for purchase, and the national Ringing of the Bells at 1 p.m.
EVENING FIREWORK AND FAMILY FUN
The City of Lights lives up to its name with a spectacular fireworks display that will light up the night sky over the Fox River at approximately 9:35 p.m. The best viewing will be at RiverEdge Park and McCullough Park, where free family-friendly activities begin at 6 p.m.
McCullough Park, 150 W. Illinois Avenue, will feature the horns of Pawnshop playing live blues, rock, soul, ska and everything in between, starting at 7 p.m. Carnival rides and giant inflatables for children and tempting treats from a variety of local food vendors will be for sale all evening.
RiverEdge Park, 360 N Broadway, will feature patriotic music from the American Legion Band, beginning at 6:15 p.m., and the Fox Valley Orchestra, beginning at 7:45 p.m., on the main stage of the Dunham Pavilion, Aurora's premiere outdoor music venue. The traditional community line dancing will commence at 9:15 p.m. with the Cha-Cha Slide, Cupid Shuffle and more!
FREE SHUTTLE BUSES
The City of Aurora offers free park-and ride shuttle service from 6 to 9 p.m. with round-trip rides to 10 convenient locations throughout the city. The shuttles resume service following the fireworks, with the last shuttles departing at 11 p.m.
See details at www.aurora-il.org/4thofJuly