IN GOOD COMPANY: Summer Spectacular!

July 22, 2015 · 0 Comments

By Mayor Geoff Dawe

It is hard to believe that we are well on our way to August. I have had the opportunity to spend some time with family over the past few weeks, to help re-charge after a very busy spring Council agenda. I hope that everyone gets the opportunity to get away from work for a period and re-connect with friends and family!
Summer is a bonanza of events in Aurora, so take time with the family to enjoy some spectacular entertainment. If you missed it, the Humber River Shakespeare Company came back to Aurora for three performances in Town Park on July 10, 11 and 12, where they delivered an inspired rendition of Shakespeare’s Falstaff and the Merry Wives of Windsor. Thank you once again to this tremendously talented thespian troupe for sharing more great performances here in Aurora!
Our popular Movies in the Park series is now underway, with six family-friendly movies from July through September. Come out for some great entertainment after dusk and enjoy the show! I will be making a cameo film appearance before each performance as well! Look for show times, locations and my videos at www.aurora.ca/moviesinthepark
Concerts in the Park are back as well, with eight fantastic performances throughout July and August. Concerts take place on Wednesdays in Town Park from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The August schedule features Latin sensation Eliana Cuevas on August 5, Celtic band Tom Leadbeater Spirit of Nova Scotia on August 12, country singers The Dixie Chicklets on August 19 and rockers Absolute Journey on August 26. Go to www.aurora.ca/summerconcerts for more information and don’t miss these talented performers!
Each concert features a draw for a “Premium Concert Experience” provided by TD, where your family can win the chance for complimentary food and front row-seats. To enter, simply bring a food donation for the local food pantry. Donations are also gratefully accepted at Movies in the Park.
Mark your calendars for two great upcoming events in September: Ribfest and the Hoedown presented by Magna! Aurora’s 10th annual Ribfest celebration on September 11, 12 and 13 features tongue-tantalizing ribs from Uncle Sam’s BBQ, Bone Daddy’s, Camp 31, Ribs Royale and Bibbs BBQ. There are great activities for the kids, the Hoedown Showdown talent competition, professional rib cook-off and the People’s Choice Award for best ribs. Stay tuned for our upcoming announcement on the two headline bands playing live on Friday and Saturday evening. For more information, please visit www.aurora.ca/ribfest
The Hoedown, presented by Magna, takes place on September 18 and 19, and features great entertainment by The Jim Cuddy Band and Dallas Smith & The Road Hammers, a delicious Texas-style barbecue, silent auction and prospector’s raffle. The Hoedown supports 15 local charities and non-profit groups, so get your tickets today to support our community and have a great country and western experience. More information and tickets are available at www.hoedown.ca.
Thank you to the hundreds of people who came out to support the Pan Am Games by attending the Torch Relay on June 25. The rain couldn’t dampen Aurora’s festive spirit as Community Torch Bearer, Bruce Stafford, brought the torch into Lambert Willson Park and lit the Pan Am cauldron at our celebratory event site.
Aurora continues to celebrate the Pan Am spirit with two exhibitions in Town. The Aurora Museum and Archives (www.aurora.ca/museum) is hosting A Legacy of Sport, an exhibit celebrating our sporting heritage, at the Aurora Cultural Centre, and The Aurora Historical Society (www.aurorahs.com) is hosting Tennis in Canada, a series of events celebrating Aurora’s tennis history.
It was great to see so many people enjoying our Canada Day festivities. We had a great time during our annual parade and our fireworks display was fantastic! Thank you to all the contestants who participated in our Aurora Teen Idol competition, and congratulations to Louisa Barbosa, our newly-crowned 2015 Aurora Teen Idol.
As a closing note, the Highland Gate Planning Applications page on the Town’s website (www.aurora.ca/highlandgate) has been updated with videos of the June 24 Public Planning Meeting. More information will be featured on the page as staff works through the applications and questions posed by residents. Stay tuned as well for the launch of our second annual Citizen Budget online survey in September, to have your voice heard on how your municipal taxes are spent!
Have a safe and enjoyable Civic Holiday weekend and see you around Town!