RiverEdge Park concert postponements part of Aurora events update

This summer’s planned concerts at RiverEdge Park in downtown Aurora will be postponed until next year in light of the pandemic, announced Tim Rater, president and CEO of the Aurora Civic Center Authority, at a city hall press conference May 13 with Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin.

The mayor opened by announcing the city has canceled its summer events including Memorial Day and Fourth of July celebrations and fireworks. In addition, Aurora’s aquatic centers will not open.

Irvin said the decisions are not easy ones, but are made for the best interest of the entire community, adding a vaccine will be key to going back to life as we know it.

“It’s so important for us to stay vigilant in the face of this virus,” Irvin said, citing the deaths of 38 Aurorans to date, ages 35 to 100.

The Aurora Civic Center Authority operates Paramount Theatre, Copley Theatre, RiverEdge Park and Paramount School of the Arts.

Rater’s team has been busy rescheduling artists for next summer at the outdoor RiverEdge Park venue. Meanwhile, the park remains open for strolling and biking along the Fox River.

“We’ve been working with our agents and our managers to reschedule these concerts for next summer both inside the Paramount and at RiverEdge Park,” Rater said. “We have nearly every artist confirmed for next summer.”

The park announced the revised schedule in a news release. If one currently has tickets to any of the events, they are still valid and automatically transferred for the rescheduled date. People have up until 60 days prior to the new date to let the box office know if they can't make it. If an event ends up not being rescheduled, they can request a credit, refund or to donate their purchase. The box office can be reached from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday at 630-896-6666. Visit riveredgeaurora.com.

2021 RiverEdge Park summer schedule

24th Annual Blues on the Fox

June 18 and 19, 2021

Kenny Wayne Shepherd confirmed he will be back to headline Friday night’s show. That means the entire lineup from this year’s festival will celebrate the blues in Aurora next season.

Friday, June 18, 2021: Southern Avenue, Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Saturday, June 19, 2021: Melody Angel, Billy Branch, Mindi Abair and The Boneshakers, Buddy Guy

Downtown Alive! The Chicago Experience – Chicago Tribute

Friday, June 25, 2021

Satisfaction – Rolling Stones Tribute and Aurora Fireworks Celebration

Friday, July 2, 2021

Downtown Alive! One of These Nights – Eagles Tribute

Friday, July 9, 2021

Tusk – Fleetwood Mac Tribute

Friday, July 16, 2021

Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees Tribute

Friday, July 30, 2021

Hollywood Nights – Bob Seger Tribute

Friday, August 6, 2021

Get the Led Out – Led Zeppelin Tribute

Friday, August 20, 2021

Postponed RiverEdge artists who are working on arranging new dates for next summer include Sugarland, Snoop & Twista, Tedeschi Trucks Band, and Poi Dog Pondering. Dark Star Orchestra has been canceled, and all ticket holders were contacted.

“Until RiverEdge opens next season, we encourage you to support other great area music venues, theaters and arts-related organizations,” the release stated. “We are all in this together, and we all need one another.”