There are traditions that must be followed in order to welcome in the Christmas season, and for Carrie McQueary of North Aurora one of those is to attend the annual holiday parade and tree lighting in downtown Aurora.
“This is just one of those things we do every year. I’ve come here many times,” McQueary said Friday night as she and her children stood on Downer Place behind barricades waiting for the parade to start. “It’s not the holidays until we come down here. I’ve come for about a decade. The kids love it. They like to see all the different things they do and they have lots of characters and lots of vehicles and the city does a great job.”
As darkness fell Friday evening, thousands came to downtown Aurora for Winter Light Fest, the city’s official kick-off of the Christmas season that included a parade followed by the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree and a new drone show that this year replaced the fireworks display held in previous years.
Visitors were able to have free photos taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Paramount School of the Arts, as well as enjoy music from DJ Suavesmooth and grab some food or a drink from food trucks and vendors parked on Stolp Avenue during the fest.
Downtown merchants also provided special Christmas deals during the event.
“This event continues to be the way people here in Aurora kick off the holiday season,” Aurora Chief Communications and Equity Officer Clayton Muhammad said. “We’re excited to see so many come down and make this part of their family tradition and there’s always a lot of energy.”
The parade route along Downer Place was packed well before the 6:30 p.m. start of the parade.
McQueary’s daughter Kendall, 9, said her favorite part of the event are “the floats and decorations.”
“We sometimes get a picture of Santa,” she said. “I heard about the drones this year and I think that’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Unlike the McQueary family, Belinda Salas of Aurora said this was her first time attending the parade.
“It’s usually too cold to come down here,” Salas said. “We plan to see the parade and take some pictures of the kids. We are looking to start a new holiday tradition as well as see Santa.”
Her daughter, Mariah Garcia, 6, said she might get her picture with Santa and that her Christmas list includes a Barbie doll.
“I don’t know what else I want,” Mariah said about her Christmas list. “I’m not cold. I’m ready to do this.”
Carol Michalek of Aurora and her husband Mike said they have attended the parade at least half a dozen times and that her husband, who is in his 50s, still is very young at heart.
“We’ve been here a number of times and we used to live in Aurora and now we’ve come back,” Carol Michalek said. “We have grandchildren and it’s great to come back and do festive things with them. My husband is excited about the drones – he’s a techy guy – a 5-year-old trapped in a big body.”
“My favorite part of this is Santa,” Mike Michalek added with a laugh. “I’m 56, and I like the format here and bringing things downtown. They’re trying to revitalize the area, and I’m not surprised so many people want to come down here and fight the parking and so forth. It’s just fun.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
