The Aurora Historical Society will hold its 59th annual Independence Day celebration on the grounds of its Tanner House Museum, corner of Oak Avenue and Cedar Street from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 4. This is a free, family-oriented event.
As the Nation celebrates its 250th birthday, the Historical Society celebrates its own 120th birthday. The historic Tanner House, built in 1857, will be open for tours during the hours of the celebration. Outside, a few classic cars will be on site, and activities will include face painting and balloon creations for the kids, and a performance by Wacky Juggler Andy Head.
During the hours of the event, the Wurst Kitchen will be on hand grilling and selling brats, hot dogs, chips, and drinks. Wurst Kitchen has served Aurora since 1895.
At 1 p.m., children in attendance will ring the historic bells on site. This commemorates the ringing of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia upon the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and is based on a 1963 Congressional resolution. The bells on the museum grounds are the old Center School Bell, cast in 1869 and measuring two feet in diameter, and the Aurora Liberty Bell, three feet in diameter, originally made to commemorate the end of World War I in 1918.
Immediately after the Ringing of the Bells, the Aurora American Legion Band will give a 30-minute patriotic musical performance.
—Aurora Historical Society