Festivals, shows, events, and various activities are a part of our communities’ scenes. Continually. Perpetually. Joyously.
The calendar is crowded with delightful and important events, some annual and successful events, and some inaugural occasions. The City of Lights Ukulele Festival will be Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on renovated Water Street Mall, just east of the Paramount Theatre. The Alley Art Festival will be Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. on Water Street Mall. Down the road will be the Aurora Greenfest, moved to Saturday, Sept. 22 from the second Saturday in June.
The City of Lights Ukulele Festival will delight musical lovers and interested individuals with seven acts on stage: Lil’ Rev, Gerald Ross, Lanialoha Lee, The Fabulous Heftones, Hix Bros Ukulele Band, The Beatleleles, and Hula O Puanini with Hoapili.
See more events on the events page here.
The LaSalle Auto Show celebrated its 10th year Sunday in Aurora with a nice show and a variety of cars, including from the 1920s through newer models. Joe Dispensa and Sandy Spang received applause for their starting the event. Dispensa said that when the Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84 took over leadership of the show, led by Commander Mike Eckburg, it went into good hands and has a great future.
Here are the award-winners of the 71 cars in the show which was blessed with good weather, warm, but not hot and humid:
Best of Show: 1970 Plymouth ’Cuda, Dave Bruce, Plainfield;
Class A, 1920: First place, 1926 Ford Model T, Bill Comer, North Aurora; second, 1927 Ford truck, Larry Hassell, Warrenville;
Class B, 1930s: First place, 1932 Ford Roadster, Patty Wackerlin, Yorkville; second, 1932 Ford five-wdw Coupe, Bill Berrios, Oswego;
Class C, 1940s: First,1940 LaSalle, Tom Rochel, Naperville; second, 1940 LaSalle Series 52, John O’Toole & Joann, Batavia;
Class D, 1950s: First, 1957 Chevy 150, Cliff Wackerlin, Yorkville, second, 1957 Chevy 210, Rich Bee, Aurora;
Class E, 1960s: First, 1968 Chevy Corvair, Dave Clever, Yorkville; second, 1967 Chevy Camaro, Patti Coleman, Yorkville;
Class F, 1970s: First, 1972 Buick Riviera, John Hambly, North Aurora; second, 1970 Chevy Nova, Bud Forrer, Shabbona;
Class G, 1980s: First, 1980 Chevy Corvette, Zafer Hatatoglu, Downers Grove; second, 1989 Ford Mustang, Judy and Jim Bush, Montgomery;
Class H, 1990s: First, 1991 Ford Mustang, Jason Thomas, Yorkville; second, 1996 Chevy Impala SS, Kevin Russell, Aurora;
Class I, 2000s: First, 2010 Dodge Challenger, Pat Kleyweg, Yorkville; second, 2004 Ford Cobra, Larry Mitchell, Montgomery;
Class J, Modified: First, 1956 Chevy Gasser, Rick Coleman, North Aurora; second, 1941 Wills, Lopez brothers, Sugar Grove.
President’s Choice: 1965 Impala SS, Chris Bailey, Aurora;
Mayor’s Choice: 1964 Chevy Chevelle SS, Roy Wyeth, Aurora;
American Legion Choice: 2007 Shelby Mustang, Carol and Rick Gardner, Oswego.
There were other presentations for best hood ornament, under the hood, and four other categories.
There was a 50/50, fun, and plans for next year. Kevin and Julie Stolte of Aurora won $607 in the 50/50. He said his wife has a knack for winning such prizes.