Independence Day in Aurora will begin with sirens, salutes and smiles in the neighborhoods, and conclude with fireworks, fantastic music, and family-fun as Aurorans gather downtown.

To reach the broader community, including senior citizens at nursing homes, the City of Aurora is once again taking its traditional downtown Fourth of July Parade into the community as a Fourth of July Procession.

Led by public safety vehicles and a Trolley of Heroes filled with local veterans, the Fourth of July Procession will travel throughout the City of Lights on the morning of Independence Day.

First held in 2020, the procession model was necessary during the start of the pandemic and was well-received by the community. While the Fourth of July Parade returned to downtown last year, participation was lower than desired, but consistent with declining spectator participation before 2020.  

After further consideration on community impact and cost savings, City officials have decided to return to the procession model this year by bringing the parade to the residents.

"I haven’t been able to make it down to a parade in nearly 20 years," said one resident at Sunnymere Nursing Home who watched the 2020 Fourth of July Procession. “It felt good to see all of the vehicles and to celebrate the Fourth of July right here in front of my home with my friends and family.”

The procession will begin at Phillips Park on Aurora's eastside, traveling past Sunnymere Nursing Home, through nearby neighbors before going through the heart of downtown. It will continue throughout the westside of Aurora and travel back east on Indian Trail to Aurora's far east side, where it will pass several neighborhoods and schools, before heading south on Eola Road and concluding at Aurora Fire Station #12, at Eola Road and Hafenrichter.

Nursing homes, schools, and parks are key locations along the route, providing an opportunity to reach more Aurorans, including those who may not be mobile, closer to their homes.

The procession route will allow families to watch from their neighborhoods or in larger spaces in parking lots, parks, and other green areas. Along the route, there will be designated ‘candy zones’ where the procession will slow down so that candy can be distributed to spectators.

The Fourth of July Procession will step off at 10 a.m. The full route will be posted this weekend, along with estimated times the procession will reach key locations, at www.aurora-il.org/FourthofJuly and across the City’s social media platforms.