Community Fun for 35 Years

Are you ready, Aurora? Because Aurora Colony Days is almost here! On its 35th anniversary, Aurora Colony Days commemorates the founding of Aurora in 1856 with food, music, fun and community.

This is a volunteer-run event, sponsored by local businesses and the City of Aurora. So what’s happening at Aurora Colony Days this year? There are two days of events on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 9–10, in the quaint community of Aurora.

Friday, Aug. 9, 4:30 to 10 p.m., discover the family-friendly biergarten at the Old Aurora Colony Museum Courtyard, sponsored by the Aurora Colony Historical Society. This is a free event, and food and drinks will be available for purchase, including draft beer and root beer floats.

Saturday, Aug. 10 is the biggest day of events, including the popular Pancake Breakfast at the American Legion Hall, sponsored by the Aurora American Legion, 7 to 11 a.m.; the 5K and Kids 1K Fun Run, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.; Market in the Park, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Aurora Outdoor Antiques Market in Downtown Aurora, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and the Aurora Colony Parade at 10 a.m., starting north from Aurora City Park on Liberty Street and then south back to the park on Main Street. Also on Saturday, enjoy half-price admission to the Old Aurora Colony Museum, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the Aurora Colony Car Show at Aurora City Park, noon to 4 p.m.; and the finale of the Aurora Concerts in the Park with band Slicker Country Band, also at the Aurora City Park Amphitheater, 7 to 10 p.m. — this is a free event with food and drinks available for purchase.

At the Market in the Park, enjoy such vendors as: Meow Village; Dye Dreamers; Joaquina Design Studio; Willamette Valley Lavender; From the Desk of Walter Barry Causey; Nolan Family Resin; Bees & Wheat Silver Co.; Homemade from the Heart; Gary Dahrens, Lisa MacComber & Monica Lovenberg; The Good Crew Clothing Co.; The Yard Bell; Open Door Community Church; Tooth & Claw Art Studio; Blue Piano Cat Gifts; Aurora Emergency Prep; Triple E; Northwest Images; Sweet Home Candles; Designs by Wild Hare; and We Bee Petals.

There will also be food throughout Saturday. Check out authentic Mexican from Lupita’s; ice cream and delicious desserts from CONES; and cool treats by Kona Ice. Drinks will include draft beer, seltzers, assorted cocktails and spirits from mobile bar Take A Shot. There will be classic backyard games for kids and adults to play, and a shuttle bus to keep you out of the heat, running every 12 to 15 minutes around Aurora.

One year was too long to wait, but it’s finally here! Come for the food, drinks, music and local vendors, stay for the friends and community. Don’t miss Aurora Colony Days 2024!

Visit auroracolonydays.com for more information on events.