AURORA - More than 25 years ago residents of Aurora thought that it would be a good idea to get the whole town together for no other reason than to relax with a weekend of fun and games.
AuroraFest is still going strong, with past generations now bringing their children to the event.
“I can remember coming here as a kid, myself,” said Tom Ryan, of Locke, who now attends the event with his wife, Theresa, and son, Joseph, 2. “I think that it is kind of neat that it is something that I can do with my own family now that I am older. To tell you the truth though I think that I have more fun now.”
Ryan reminisced about the way that rolls reverse as he has gotten older.
“I wonder if that is how my own father felt holding me up to see the parade,” he said. “It makes me pretty proud.”
The festivities hold a theme that is chosen by a board each year, and it was no surprise that this year they jumped on the luckiest day (7-7-07) theme for their event.
David Gerber, of Sunset Beach in Aurora, worked the theme into a favorite pastime by creating a luckiest day fishing float for the parade.
Several children sat fishing in the back of the float while the two drivers wore fisheye masks that resembled a polka dot trout.
The sign on the back told parade goers that it certainly was their best and luckiest day of fishing.
The fest actually begins on Friday each year with the traditional blessing of the boats bash and the start of a weekend long scavenger hunt.
Local bands and food kept the entertainment going throughout Friday evening.
Saturday morning got started with a refreshing morning run and a competitive swim. The swim was actually a new addition to the fest this year.
Shawn Fredonia just happened to be spending a part of his vacation traveling along the Cayuga Wine Trail when he happily stumbled across the festivities.
“This is just great,” he said. “I wish that they did things like this where I live. Not only is it a beautiful town on a beautiful lake but they are such good people.”
Fredonia said that he was from a small town near Pittsburg, Pa., and this was his first visit to the area.
“Small towns are just so wonderful,” he said. “You've got to love them.”
Saturday's events included traditional children's games and entertainment, restaurants and shops along downtown throwing their annual specials and sales, and an athletic tournament at Wells College.
The grand finale of the festival was a scheduled fireworks display Saturday night.
“I can remember coming here as a kid, myself,” said Tom Ryan, of Locke, who now attends the event with his wife, Theresa, and son, Joseph, 2. “I think that it is kind of neat that it is something that I can do with my own family now that I am older. To tell you the truth though I think that I have more fun now.”
Ryan reminisced about the way that rolls reverse as he has gotten older.
“I wonder if that is how my own father felt holding me up to see the parade,” he said. “It makes me pretty proud.”
The festivities hold a theme that is chosen by a board each year, and it was no surprise that this year they jumped on the luckiest day (7-7-07) theme for their event.
David Gerber, of Sunset Beach in Aurora, worked the theme into a favorite pastime by creating a luckiest day fishing float for the parade.
Several children sat fishing in the back of the float while the two drivers wore fisheye masks that resembled a polka dot trout.
The sign on the back told parade goers that it certainly was their best and luckiest day of fishing.
The fest actually begins on Friday each year with the traditional blessing of the boats bash and the start of a weekend long scavenger hunt.
Local bands and food kept the entertainment going throughout Friday evening.
Saturday morning got started with a refreshing morning run and a competitive swim. The swim was actually a new addition to the fest this year.
Shawn Fredonia just happened to be spending a part of his vacation traveling along the Cayuga Wine Trail when he happily stumbled across the festivities.
“This is just great,” he said. “I wish that they did things like this where I live. Not only is it a beautiful town on a beautiful lake but they are such good people.”
Fredonia said that he was from a small town near Pittsburg, Pa., and this was his first visit to the area.
“Small towns are just so wonderful,” he said. “You've got to love them.”
Saturday's events included traditional children's games and entertainment, restaurants and shops along downtown throwing their annual specials and sales, and an athletic tournament at Wells College.
The grand finale of the festival was a scheduled fireworks display Saturday night.
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Auroran wrote on Jul 8, 2007 10:05 AM:
forrest wrote on Jul 8, 2007 12:19 AM: