Lisa Todd of Naperville was sipping a drink Friday night near Millennium Plaza in downtown Aurora where a huge party was going on.
“This is our third time in Aurora this week,” Todd explained as she and her husband were taking in the sights and sounds of the Stolp Island Block Party staged by the Aurora Downtown group as part of its monthly First Fridays event.
Live music at the event was provided by the LeGrande Band, which appeared at Millennium Plaza from 6 until 9 p.m.
Food trucks, including SnowBallin Sisters, Island Boy Food and Billy Bricks Pizza, along with the local butcher shop Wurst Kitchen, were on hand, as well as Tavern on Broadway which was selling wine and beer.
Balloon artists, face-painting and a collection of local artists and their works were also included at the bash.
The block party, billed as an early goodbye to summer with school starting in about two weeks, dates back to 2017.
Christina de Chaud, executive director of Aurora Downtown, said before the block party that “there is a lot of excitement leading into the event that will include some local retailers as well as non-profit groups.”
There was also a sneak preview offered by Aurora’s latest downtown restaurant, Leilani Asian Fusion, which offered a soft grand opening from 5 to 9 p.m. inside the historic Hobbs Building at 2 N. River St.
Thousands packed the blocked-off street for the party Friday evening.
“This is lovely and I like the whole Stolp Island thing and I don’t think this is too crowded at all. We do a lot of things in the city so for us this isn’t too congested,” Lisa Todd said.
Lisa’s husband Mike Todd said the night’s agenda included “walking down, having a few cocktails and listening to music.”
“The streets are open and you can walk around and have fun,” he said. “Officials here have done a great job of revitalizing downtown and bringing restaurants and events like this. It’s great.”
Nancy Wyatt of Sugar Grove said she was born in Aurora and came to the Stolp Island Block Party last year.
“I’m here because of the band,” she said, referring to the LeGrande Band. “I went to high school with two of them. I love the setting here and, to me, this is Aurora at its finest.”
Nancy’s sister, Mary St. Jules of Aurora, said she thinks “Aurora is doing well down here. There is a lot of opportunity and there is room for growth.”
Larry Eichelberger of Sugar Grove said Friday was the first time he had come downtown in a while and brought his two grandchildren along.
“There’s a great crowd here. I would say there are a couple thousand people here easily already and that is what is going to make this downtown work – if the crowds keep coming here,” he said.
Eichelberger said “there’s more places to eat and entertainment” in downtown Aurora now.
“There’s a lot of choices down here,” he said. “I know a guy that worked on the new restaurant and I’m going to poke my head in there. Yeah, this is nice.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
