Last weekend brought North Aurora’s biggest community festival of the year as North Aurora Days returned on Friday and Saturday at Riverfront Park.
The event included live bands, a petting zoo, food trucks, a fireworks show and more.
First begun in 1990, North Aurora Community Relations Coordinator Natalie Stevens said this was the fourth year the event has been held by the river where “it’s definitely a lot more comfortable for people and cooler.”
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“It encourages people to come and enjoy themselves rather than baking. We have a lot of events now by the river,” she said.
Stevens said the fest “is completely free to the community whether it’s using the bounce houses or face- painting or the petting zoo. The only thing you have to buy is food and drink if you want to partake in that,” she said. “It’s really important to us that people just come out and not have to worry about anything. It’s a good community event for people to come down and just enjoy themselves.”
Daniel Deltoro of North Aurora came to the festival on Friday with his grandson and said he has come “nearly every year.”
“We like the food and we have a grandson here,” he said. “It’s a great night to be out.”
Meredith Tonarelli of Glen Ellyn said this was the second time she and her family have come to North Aurora Days as her husband works in town and that “the variety of things for the kids is nice and the bands are always a nice thing to have on a summer evening.”
“I think it’s nice for people in the community and the area to get outside and spend some quality time with your family,” she said. “This is also a way to catch up with people.”
Isabel Ambre of North Aurora and her husband Edward came with their children to the festival on Friday.
“We like the live music and the ability for the kids to get on everything at no charge and have a good time and all the food trucks. Those are our favorite,” Isabel Ambre said.
“This is something special. North Aurora doesn’t have anything bigger than this,” Edward Ambre said.
He said it is a great time to see your neighbors and other people you know around town because “everybody comes down here.”
Steve Taggart of Naperville was enjoying the band at the fest on Friday evening.
“This is beautiful. It’s a great setting by the river,” he said.
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.