Food trucks. Movie nights. Concerts. Those are just some of the free events that people will find this summer when they travel to downtown Aurora, which has a calendar full of activities for those who want to spend time outdoors and take advantage of all the city has to offer.
“It’s great to gather people together to feel that energy of the city,” said Marissa Amoni, the manager of Aurora Downtown, the nonprofit that organizes events and promotes development of the downtown area.
This summer, Aurora will feature three major programs of free outdoor entertainment.
First Fridays
Held on the first Friday of each month, this is a year-round program (every month except January and July) that focuses on art, music, food, theater and other cultural attractions going on in Aurora. In the summer, you’ll find more emphasis on the outdoor attractions, with food trucks and other vendors providing entertainment.
“First Fridays are nice for all ages,” Amoni said. “Everyone is welcome, and everyone will find something that appeals to them.”
She called the event similar to a downtown “open house,” with art exhibits, music and dance to discover around town.
“In the summer we start having our food trucks at Water Street Square, so that’s a fun addition as well,” she said. “Downtown is a fun place to walk around any day of the week, but with First Fridays, it’s really about the community coming together.”
Outdoor Movies
Last summer Aurora started screening outdoor movies, and the events were such a success that it has increased the number of films this year. The first group of films will be shown at the Aurora Regional Fire Museum, where they’ll be shown at dusk on the second Thursday of the month through the summer. The lineup will include: June 9: “The Goonies;” July 14: “Raiders of the Lost Ark;” and Aug. 11: “Back to the Future.”
New for this year will be three movies as part of a “Brew and View” series. These films are more adult-oriented and will be held in conjunction with The Venue at Water Street Mall, which will have a bar open for business. The movies will be shown at Mundy Park at dusk on the third Thursday of each month this summer, with a schedule featuring: June 16: “The Blues Brothers;” July 21: “Jurassic Park;” and Aug. 18: “Coming to America.”
“This year we had people vote on the movies we’re showing, so these were the winners,” Amoni said. Both series will feature food vendors, with concessions organized by the Aurora Film Society.
Wednesdays at the Plaza
Downtown Aurora’s concert series returns this year, with Wednesdays at the Plaza featuring free live music at Millennium Plaza starting July 13. The series features musicians of different genres performing at the plaza overlooking the Fox River. Concerts begin at 7 p.m., and those attending are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. This year’s schedule includes: July 13: Raices Latin Jazz featuring vibraphonist Joe Sonnefeldt; July 20: Downtown Charlie Brown; July 27: The Clams; Aug. 3: The Frizz; and Aug. 10: A Light Sleeper.
“We usually have a food truck for Wednesdays at the Plaza,” Amoni said. “We are just all about free and public accessible fun. We want people to come out and enjoy downtown Aurora this summer.”
Aurora Summer Series
What: First Fridays
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When and where: June 3, Aug. 5, Sept. 2 in downtown Aurora
What: Outdoor Movies
When and where: June 9, July 14 and Aug. 11 at the Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway; June 16, July 21 and Aug. 18 at The Venue at Water Street Mall, 21 S. Broadway Ave.
What: Wednesdays at the Plaza
When and where: July 13, July 20, July 27, Aug. 3 and Aug. 10 at Millennium Plaza, 21 S. Stolp Ave.
Tickets: Free
Information: auroradowntown.org
Jeff Banowetz is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.