Reverend Jesse Hawkins and St. John AME Church steward Board members, Aurora mayor Richard Irvin, civic leaders, and members of the Aurora community honored Dr. Jennifer Norrell, East Aurora School District 131 superintendent, and Ralph Jordan, Aurora Housing Authority executive director November 2 at the Church.
—St. John AME
Aurora Winter Lights: Holiday season
The 2018 Aurora Winter Lights parade and tree lighting ceremony will start the Aurora holiday season in the City of Lights Friday, Nov. 16. Presented by the city government of Aurora and Aurora Downtown, the popular annual tradition will have festivities centered on Downer Place in downtown Aurora.
The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Downer Place and go from Water Street, adjacent to City Hall, to River Street. Leading the parade, with mayor Richard C. Irvin, will be newly-crowned Little Mr. and Little Miss Aurora, the Winter Lights Court, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and an exciting array of costumed characters, community groups, and public safety vehicles.
The tree lighting ceremony will commence after the parade at the GAR Memorial Museum, 23 E. Downer Place. The ceremony includes a special performance by Aurora teen singer Nathaniel Mojica, an award presentation for the winner of the Downtown Window Decorating Contest, and the community countdown to the lighting of the City’s official Christmas tree.
Immediately following the ceremony, the fireworks extravaganza, sponsored by Chicago Premium Outlets, will light up the night sky and guests can continue to enjoy the evening and have free photos taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Tredwell Coffee, 14 W. Downer Place.
The event is free and open to the public.
—Aurora city government