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Chicago Tribune
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Despite planning challenges, officials count Aurora fireworks show a success
Undeterred by the closure of RiverEdge Park, thousands filled parks and parking lots near downtown Aurora last Friday night to watch fireworks whiz, bang and boom over the Fox River. The annual Independence Day fireworks show put on by the city of Aurora typically uses RiverEdge Park as one of its official viewing spots, but the park is closed for renovations this year, which made planning for the event more difficult, Aurora Director of Community Events Mike Nelson told The Beacon-News. However, despite the planning challenges, Nelson considers the fireworks show a success. 'Kids and families loved it, so that to me is just a win,' he said. In place of RiverEdge Park, the city closed down the Aurora Transportation Center's parking lot to use as one of two official viewing locations. City staff weren't sure what kind of turnout to expect since that lot is where people typically park for the fireworks show, but Nelson said he was happy to see about 2,500 people in attendance. Nelson was also happy to learn that the other official fireworks viewing spot, McCullough Park, saw 5,000 attendees. That's roughly double the amount of people who typically watch the fireworks show at the park, he said. On Friday evening, before the show began, adults could be seen lounging on lawn chairs or picnic blankets across McCullough Park's lawn while children ran around and played, some trying to catch fireflies that lit up like miniature versions of the fireworks to come. Nelson said that city staff had a feeling more people would show up to the park this year, so they 'simplified' operations by not putting up the typical inflatables and other activities for kids. 'I'm so glad we did because we had an overwhelming number of guests there,' he said. People also found other, unofficial spots to watch the fireworks. Nelson said Northgate shopping center's parking lot also filled up with those looking to see the show. 'Even when you throw a big curveball like shutting down the train station parking lot and eliminating that source of parking, Aurorans still show up,' he said. 'They love the Fourth. They love the fireworks.' Those fireworks this year cost around $46,000, according to Nelson. The city has been working with fireworks company Pyrotechnico for over a decade, he said, and it is currently at the start of a new three-year contract with them. Planning for the annual Independence Day fireworks show, which Nelson called one of the greatest around, starts at the very beginning of January, he said. Both the fireworks and the Fourth of July parade are planned at the same time, he said, since it is sort of like one event spread across two days. The two Independence Day celebrations take place on different days for manpower reasons, according to Nelson. 'Each event takes so much in terms of resources and whatnot, and it's just gotten too complex for us to be able to pull both off in one day,' he said. It took 'an incredible amount of city staff and resources' to pull off the switch from RiverEdge Park to the Aurora Transportation Center's parking lot as an official fireworks viewing location, Nelson said, especially since it contains a Metra stop that is very busy. It was a big operation to inform Metra riders, work with Metra and work with various city divisions to get the parking lot cleared and shut down appropriately and safely, he said. On the night of the fireworks, both official viewing locations had food trucks and DJs who played a special soundtrack created to accompany the show. But there were many more people working that night. Nelson said around 50 police officers were on-duty, as were other city employees, including the six people on his own team, maintenance crews, the train station team, the communications team and staff from the mayor's office. When asked how much more difficult planning for the fireworks show was this year compared to past years when RiverEdge Park was open, Nelson called it a 'night and day' difference both because they were inconveniencing Metra riders and because they were basically removing their main source of parking for the event. To help with the parking issue, the city this year beefed up the event's shuttle ride service and pushed that service in messaging about the fireworks show, he said. Change might be hard, Nelson said, but 'you pull it off no matter what.' However, he is looking forward to next year, with RiverEdge Park renovated and able to hold even more people than it did in years past. 'I can only imagine how awesome its going to be,' he said. Just days after the Independence Day celebrations, Nelson's team is already on to the next project: planning for the holidays. He said on Monday that all the chaos of planning for those events was set to begin the very next day at 10 a.m.
Chicago Tribune
04-07-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
For Aurora residents, Fourth of July parade in city's downtown a patriotic tradition
For Kasey Diestelkamp of Aurora and her family, the city's annual Fourth of July parade is a must before her family thinks about backyard barbecues or anything else that might accompany the holiday. 'We always come to the parade,' she said while holding her daughter Beckett, who is almost 3 years old. 'We come every year. We live down the street and ride our bikes and it's an important holiday for families to get together. After the parade, we go home and change into our swimsuits and go to our in-laws where we swim and we eat. But it wouldn't be the Fourth of July without the parade. That's the start of everything.' Beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, Aurora welcomed in the Fourth of July with the city's annual parade that kicked off at the intersection of Benton Street and Broadway downtown. The night before, the city celebrated America's 249th birthday with a Thursday evening fireworks show. The parade on Friday featured more than 30 floats, a number that officials said was similar to years past. 'This is an important day for Aurorans as well as all of our surrounding communities and the nation,' said Jon Zaghloul, communications manager for the city of Aurora, before the parade began. 'Our grand marshal is Hugo Saltijeral, who is such a welcome part of the community. He is what Aurora is – he's someone who is resilient, who is generous and who is very actively involved in pretty much everything that goes on here in Aurora.' According to a press release from the city, Saltijeral gives back to the community in many ways and 'currently serves as the executive director of the Valley Sheltered Workshop, leading a bold transformation in disability services.' Zaghloul noted that Friday 'is a great opportunity for city residents to come out and celebrate America's birthday and have a fun time watching all of the great floats and groups that walk in the parade.' 'This is very similar to Memorial Day where people can come to the parade and then take some time to relax. It's primarily a day off for most people and a great opportunity to come together downtown and celebrate and then have family time,' he said. Spotty rain which moved into the area before the parade helped keep things cooler this year as thousands gathered along the parade route. Brie Blue, 28, of Yorkville, said she was the head coach for the West Aurora High School cheerleaders and while the school has participated in the parade for many years, 'this is the first time for this coaching staff to be in it.' 'The importance of today is kind of what I coach my kids in all the time – it's all of us coming together and celebrating all our accomplishments and our future and what we have and everyone who came before us,' Blue said. 'It's like our alumni and all of those who served for us – fought for our country. The girls are super-excited about being in the parade. They love walking in it and doing community involvement.' Nick Sargis, who is the theater supervisor for the Fox Valley Park District, brought a slew of participants – more than 80 – to the parade. 'We have a great relationship with the city of Aurora and it's great that we get to walk and support our community,' he said of the parade. Diestelkamp and others spoke about the importance of the holiday for Americans. 'This is important to teach our kids about the Fourth of July and what it really means and it's a good sense of community being with all the Aurorans,' she said. Kathy Maltese of Aurora and her husband Tony said the parade is always on their Fourth of July to-do list. 'When it's the Fourth of July, it's the first box we have to check,' Kathy Maltese said. 'It's a tradition. It's something you've got to do.' 'This shows your patriotism and right now with all the things going on you have to show up now more than ever and this is one way of showing some kind of unity,' Tony Maltese added. 'You don't get a chance to do that all the time.'
Chicago Tribune
20-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Column: East-West basketball rivalry in Aurora stands the test of time
The late Marie Wilkinson was sometimes said to be the 'matriarch of Aurora.' She was an inspiration to at least two generations of Aurorans as an activist and advocate of equal rights for everyone. She became synonymous with Aurora, and Angela Richardson began to learn more about her from reading newspaper stories in the 1990s. Knowing that the East Aurora—West Aurora athletic rivalry had also become synonymous with Aurora for many people, Richardson had a 'light bulb' moment in 1997. She wondered if she could connect the two 'Aurora stories' in a meaningful way. I interviewed her for a Beacon-News story in 2015, and discovered that she loved Aurora and its diversity. I referenced her as a 'proud daughter' of the city as I learned of her dedication and service. And it began with basketball. 'Mrs. Wilkinson is amazing and is always doing something for someone,' Richardson said in 2015. 'I thought it would be cool if I could do just something. I thought about having an alumni game for former East and West basketball players, and then donating the money to the Marie Wilkinson Child Development Center.' The Wilkinson Center offers social, emotional and educational support services for low-income children and families. Richardson felt a special calling to help the center as her mom had been a single mother. With the help of many community leaders and volunteers, the first alumni game was played in 1997 with more than 1,800 fans in attendance. Thousands of dollars were raised for the Wilkinson Center that night. The alumni game has become a tradition, and a ladies' alumni game was added to the program as the years progressed. I have attended many of the games during its 28-year run, and have been impressed by the sportsmanship and community shown by the players and by everyone involved. The basketball rivalry is and always will be intense, but everyone has always seemed to have fun and to display friendship with former rivals. A wonderful memory occurred one year when Marie Wilkinson herself attended the game, and players (some a foot taller than she was) lined up to give her a hug as a tribute and a sign of their gratitude. This year's edition of the East-West Alumni Basketball Game was played on April 11 with another enthusiastic and spirited crowd in attendance. Among them was a smiling Sherri Penson, who for 17 years has been executive director of the Marie Wilkinson Child Development Center. 'This game has been a tremendous help in providing adequate care for our kids, and has generated between $5,000 and $10,000 a year,' Penson said. 'It has helped at least 70 children per year to be with us during the summer, and we were also able to purchase a van to help transport our children.' I made it a point to speak with the four alumni who were the 'senior' players on each team — those whose graduations occurred long ago. I was impressed that they had lost almost none of their school spirit, but more impressed at their willingness to participate with the goal of giving back to their common community. They gave brief thoughts on their night of coming back and giving back: 'I have close friends who have worked for the Marie Wilkinson Center, and I have nieces and nephews who have received before- and after-school care. It means a lot to me,' said Andre Newson, West Aurora class of 1998. 'I loved coming to school every day and looking forward to playing basketball, and the East-West game was always the highlight of our year,' said Sky Joiner, West Aurora class of 2005. 'The East-West game was the competition that we looked forward to every year. I'm glad that we've stayed healthy and that we're still playing, especially that this game is for charity,' said Yessenia Cabadas, East Aurora class of 2008. 'I'm glad to be part of giving back to the community. I've lived in Kansas as well, and giving back is something I've taken across the country with me — giving back and sharing what I can,' said Terry Jeffries, East Aurora class of 2004. The evening was ultimately about basketball, and the games did not disappoint. Both the women's and men's games were close and very competitive and exciting. The alumni played as hard and with as much spirit as they had played in their student days. The West Aurora ladies defeated East Aurora 60-58, and were led by the scoring and rebounding of Kina Miller. And in a game reminiscent of the glory days of the East-West rivalry, the West Aurora men defeated East Aurora 103-101 in double overtime. Hezekiah Salter dropped in the winning basket on a drive into the lane during the sudden-death second overtime. To paraphrase the famous Aurora cheer from both sides of the river: 'East is East and West is West, but in Aurora … community pride, sportsmanship, friendship and giving back are best.'
CBS News
04-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Denver area nonprofit that feeds thousands loses millions federal funding, group says
When immigrants and asylum seekers came to Colorado from the southern border, the Village Exchange Center on the border of Denver and Aurora stepped up to help. Through funding from the federal government , they fed them, along with other Aurorans, through their food bank and offered them free vaccinations, job fairs , and integration programs. "We're providing wraparound services to get people legal assistance, into jobs, training, getting them health care, Medicaid, WIC, SNAP, any of the benefits that they should be using to become self-sustaining," said co-founder and CEO Amanda Blaurock. Now, all of that is in jeopardy. Just a few days ago, the federal grant money the center used to help run its program was terminated. "Based on us potentially providing funding to 'illegal aliens,' were the words," said Blaurock. Village Exchange lost more than $2 million and may lose $3 million more, which has hurt them. "We have had to let go of a number of contractors and then move FTEs into different roles that they weren't previously in," said Blaurock. And their weekly food pantry, which feeds 1,100 families a week, is at risk. "After June, we will be looking at either cutting our pantries significantly and our team and not being able to provide food services to the community or getting different partners that can provide in-kind support," said Blaurock. She says cutting funding doesn't get rid of need and worries that if they can't provide services to at-risk communities in Denver, Adams, and Arapahoe counties, it could have a devastating effect on all residents as people look for new ways to survive. "It really jeopardizes the integrity and health and safety of all people living here," said Blaurock. Village Exchange Center says they will be reaching out to donors and the public to try to fill the funding gap they now face.
CBS News
01-03-2025
- General
- CBS News
New master plan designed to shape future of Aurora, Colorado's library system, public input wanted
The folks at the Aurora Public Library District want to help their community. But with a budget of $8 million for a population of nearly 400,000, the city of Aurora ranks in the bottom five for per capita public library funding in the state. That means finding the resources to do everything the community wants is a challenge. "It is a significant challenge," said Jo McNeal, the deputy director of library services. "However, checking in with the community allows us to fine tune what we do and use the resources that we have most effectively." That's why they launched a strategic and facilities master plan. It's an effort to shape the future of the library. The library will assess the condition and usage of its facilities, identify necessary capital improvements and evaluate future needs. All are based on recommendations from the community they receive from an online survey. "It's connecting with the community and getting input from the community, not just library users, but non-users as well," McNeal said. "To check in and see what exactly they need in their lives that the library might be able to help with." They want to know what Aurorans want to get out of their libraries. The library held a survey like this before, but it says it's been a while, and now more than ever, it needs to fine tune its efforts to have the most impact. "We haven't talked to the community since 2015. It's 10 years ago. A lot has changed in that time," McNeal said. "We just want to make sure that we're not spread too thin and that we are focusing on the top needs, the highest needs of the community." "Engage Aurora" website.
