RiverEdge Park opens June 14
… AND SO MUCH MORE ! www . riveredgeaurora . com
The wait is over !
RiverEdge Park opens June 14
A vision that began six years ago to highlight the Fox River as downtown ’ s major catalyst for attracting residents , businesses , and development , is coming into clearer focus with the opening of the RiverEdge Park Music Garden and John C . Dunham Pavilion .
“ The opening of RiverEdge Park ’ s Music Garden ushers in a new and exciting era of culture , music and celebration for Aurora that will be enjoyed by families across the entire Chicago region ,” said Mayor Tom Weisner . “ This worldclass facility is destined to become a source of community pride , and will serve as an economic catalyst for the future growth of downtown Aurora for years to come .”
Inspired by outdoor entertainment facilities like Chicago ’ s Millennium Park and Northerly Island , and Milwaukee ’ s Summerfest , the RiverEdge Park Music Garden debuts over Father ’ s Day weekend with the 17th annual Blues on the Fox festival . Throughout the summer , it will stage major concerts , regional acts , and the City ’ s best musical talent including the Downtown Alive ! concert series and Independence Day festivities and fireworks .
RiverEdge Park boasts state-of-the-art acoustics , flexible seating allowing for up to 2,500 seats in front of the stage , general admission for 6,000-8,000 people , plus a rooftop deck that can host 300 VIPs .
The City has partnered with the Aurora Civic Center Authority ( ACCA ), which manages the historic Paramount Theatre , to oversee the daily operations and programming schedule of the Music Garden . During the past two years , ACCA has been responsible for Downtown Alive ! and looks to build on its success at this exciting new venue .
The City used the park project to revitalize former industrial property and cleanup the banks of the Fox River . Aurora secured $ 15 million in grant money to use toward the venture , including $ 8 million from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity – River Edge Revitalization Zone program , $ 3 million from the Fox Valley Park District and $ 2 million from the Dunham Fund . An additional $ 2 million grant from the Kane County Forest Preserve District will be earmarked toward the future pedestrian bridge that will cross the Fox River .
For more information , and a complete list of scheduled events , visit the park ’ s website at www . riveredgeaurora . com .
A SUMMER OF FUN AT RIVEREDGE PARK !
In addition to the Blues on the Fox Weekend and the Downtown Alive series throughout the summer , RiverEdge Park will also feature :
COLOR VIBE 5K RACE ! July 6
DISNEY ’ S BRIDGIT MENDLER ! August 28
FIESTAS PATRIAS AURORA !
Sept . 14 & 15
AMPED UP ADVENTURE RACE ! June 16
PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL ! July 27 & 28
JOAN SEBASTIAN & RAMON AYALA ! Sept . 13
… AND SO MUCH MORE ! www . riveredgeaurora . com
City of Aurora www . aurora-il . org 3