Christian Cardoza of Aurora was enjoying a bicycle ride around downtown Aurora Friday evening while waiting for the start of the city’s Winter Lights Fest.
“I’ve been here a number of times. I mostly come for the vibe that comes when Christmas is just around the corner,” he said as he stepped off his bike for a moment. “If they are are having Winter Lights, I’m here.”
Beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, the city of Aurora’s Winter Lights Fest offered a three-hour holiday season kickoff that included the largest parade ever at the event, a drone show, photos with Santa and the traditional tree-lighting ceremony.
Temperatures in the mid-40s made this year’s fest more comfortable, although city officials insisted that when it comes to Winter Light Fest folks come regardless.
“We’ve had this when there were single digits three years ago and we still had thousands of people down here,” said Mike Nelson, director of special events for the city of Aurora.
He noted this year’s event featured “the largest parade we’ve ever had with 30 units, an increase of about six or seven from a year ago. We’re growing this parade substantially every year.”
One of the floats at the parade came from the popular Lehnertz Avenue group in Aurora which has put up holiday displays in its neighborhood for 74 years.
Lisa Hardekopf, a member of the group, came with some of her neighbors and said they have been part of the Winter Lights parade for nearly a decade.
“It’s not the holidays until we have this parade. It definitely starts off the season for us,” Hardekopf said. “We’re always on Lehnertz Avenue getting ready for the whole year but this is the night that kicks things off – we’re on go. I love seeing the kids reacting to the float going by.”
The tree-lighting outside the GAR Memorial Hall at 23 E. Downer Place featured the city’s horticulturalist Cathy Hayen, who Nelson said “helped us locate a new evergreen, a new holiday tree.”
“It’s very special for us that she’s helping throw the switch,” Nelson said of turning on the lights of the city’s holiday tree at the fest. “Internally, we’ve got one of the most beloved colleagues and co-workers helping us light the tree and she’s retiring this February. She is responsible for all the decorating you see in the downtown and why it looks so great.”
Lyla Blanchard of Genoa was back participating in the Winter Lights Fest parade with her horse Beau.
“I look forward to this parade. It’s awesome to be a part of it and kick off the season and everybody is in such a great mood and it’s such a fun night to be out here with all the lights and the show,” she said. “Aurora has always been so warm and welcoming to us and we’re just grateful to be part of the festivities. It’s not Christmas until you have Winter Lights.”
Heather Barbosa of Montgomery said she has made the Aurora holiday event a tradition every year.
“The lights down here are spectacular and the city does a great job setting it up and the music is great,” she said. “We’ve been here for about eight years and we love the way this has grown.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
