Fireworks shows July 2 and 3, plus July 4 parade on tap in Aurora, North Aurora

Fireworks fans can enjoy two sky displays this weekend in North Aurora and Aurora.

July 2

The City of Lights – Aurora – will live up to its name when the night sky is illuminated with a fireworks extravaganza to kick off the Fourth of July weekend on Friday, July 2, a news release stated.

The best viewing locations are RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, and McCullough Park at the Prisco Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave.

Both parks open at 7 p.m. with DJs and dancing. Fireworks will begin at about 9:15 p.m.

Guests at RiverEdge Park can review the list of items that cannot be brought onto the premises at https://paramountaurora.com/events/4th-of-july-aurora/.

July 3

Fireworks and live music will be held at Riverfront Park, behind the North Aurora Village Hall at 25 E. State St. on Saturday, July 3. Live music is from 5 to 9 p.m. and fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. People can bring their own food and drink. They recommend bug spray and possibly blankets or chairs. The fireworks show will be set to music, and speakers for the music will be at Riverfront Park.

A parking map is available. Handicap parking is available at Riverfront Park and Village Hall. The back lot of Village Hall will be closed. The State Street bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m.; traffic will not be able to go through on State Street during this time. All vehicles parked at North Aurora Island Park will only be allowed to turn right towards Route 25, and vehicles in lots west of the Fox River will be routed towards Route 31.

For more information on the North Aurora fireworks display and related information, visit northaurora.org/2021/06/15/july-3-fireworks-information.

July 4 parade

Health care heroes in Aurora will lead the city’s Fourth of July parade as grand marshals.

“We can never thank our health care heroes enough for their unwavering and steady leadership throughout the pandemic,” said Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin in a news release. “It is fitting to have them lead this year’s Fourth of July Parade as we continue to transition beyond the pandemic and back into full productivity. We owe them a debt of gratitude for guiding us on the road to healthiness and wholeness as one Aurora.”

The 2021 Fourth of July Parade will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 4, in the heart of downtown Aurora, with the theme “One Aurora, One America.”

Health care workers from Rush-Copley, AMITA Mercy and VNA Health Care, and other health care institutions will collectively represent all health care heroes in Aurora.

The grand marshals’ float will lead more than 60 patriotic, energetic and diverse units, including public safety teams, veteran organizations, elected officials, dance teams, car clubs, youth groups, several cultural performances, and more.

“The VNA Health Care team is so honored to be recognized by the city of Aurora as Healthcare Heroes in the 2021 Independence Day parade,” Linnea Windel, president and CEO of VNA Health Care, said in the release. “We are thrilled to join our city, our neighbors, and our health-care partners on this special day, which also coincides with VNA’s milestone of administering over 50,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine so far. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to gather in honor of our country’s birthday with a Fourth of July parade!”

The parade will begin at Benton and River streets, then head east on Benton to Broadway, north on Broadway to Downer Place, and west on Downer, ending at River Street. The main stage for parade commentary will be located across from the GAR Memorial Hall and Museum, 23 E. Downer Place.

Pre-parade ribbon cutting at GAR Museum

On July 4, 1878, Aurora’s Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Memorial Hall and Museum opened for the first time.

On this Fourth of July, 143 years later, the museum, 23 E. Downer Place, will reopen to the public - with a beautifully renovated lower level - after being closed for more than a year due to the pandemic.

A reopening ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held before the parade at 9:15 a.m.

The museum’s newly renovated lower level contains the first temporary exhibit of the year, “Service and Sacrifice,” which details Aurora’s military contributions since 1917.

The museum will be open to parade-goers and guests until 2 p.m. July 4, and subsequently will resume regular hours on Fridays from noon to 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Learn more at www.aurora-il.org/FourthInAurora.