Free Events All Weekend in Aurora

Six free, family-fun events encompassing a variety of tastes are on tap this weekend in Illinois’ second largest City.

The day begins at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 14 with the weekly downtown Aurora’s Farmers Market at the Aurora Transportation Center, 233 N. Broadway Av (Rt. 25).  The market, which will be held everySaturday through Oct. 18 and lasts until noon each day, is celebrating its 102nd anniversary and is the oldest Farmers Market in Illinois.  More than 60 vendors offering the freshest produce, tasty products, artisan crafts, and more; along with children’s activities and live music are all featured.

Once again this year, Illinois Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Link Cards are accepted for purchases.  The market is sponsored by Bath Fitter Bathroom Remodeling and Rasmussen College. More information about the Farmers Market, including two additional markets opening in July on the City’s Far East and Far West sides, is at www.aurora-il.org. 

At 9 a.m., the Louche Puce Market, an outdoor European-style vintage and collectible fair, returns to downtown Aurora on the Water Street Mall located between Galena Boulevard and Downer Place.  Patrons can re-purpose an eclectic mix of antiques, retro-furniture, vintage fashion and more until 3 p.m.  The market is held the second Saturday of each month through September.  For more information, email Jeanne Norris at louchepuce@gmail.com or search them on Facebook.

The fifth annual Aurora Green Fest will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fox Valley Park District’s Prisco Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave.  The event, which will highlight the latest environmental ideas and technology, will feature more than 100 eco-friendly exhibits and speakers featuring environmental services, money-saving tips, on-site recycling of everything from electronics to old and unwanted medications, hands-on children’s activities, and more. The event is sponsored by the Aurora Green Lights in affiliation with the Conservation Foundation.  For more information on the festival and the organization, visit www.auroragreenfest.com.  

Saturday also marks the first day of both the Aurora Paddlesports Festival and Art in the Park at Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Drive.

The Paddlesports festival is a two-day canoeing and kayaking festival that will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on Mastodon Lake inside Phillips Park.  Patrons can check out plenty of activities both on water and land for beginners and experts, including free boating lessons, vendor demonstrations and skill competitions. The sixth annual festival is being presented by the Illinois Paddling Council in partnership with the City of Aurora.

After taking a ride on the lake, visitors can stake claim to more land-based activities with Art in the Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.  The third annual event will feature live music, an art sale and show, and refreshments for purchase including a wine tasting at the west end of Phillips Park.

Information on both events is available at www.illinoispaddlesportsfestival.org. 

From 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., the annual Juneteenth Celebration will be held at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Farnsworth Avenue and Grand Boulevard.

The event features cultural enrichment, inspirational speakers, food, games, a basketball tournament and entertainment for all ages and ethnicities. Juneteenth, which originated as a celebration for the ending of slavery in Texas is celebrated throughout the United States symbolizing freedom for African-Americans. The event is sponsored by the African-American Men of Unity in partnership with the City of Aurora. More information can be found at www.aamou.org.