Photos and Video: Hundreds Cheer for Aurora's July 4 Parade

Hundreds lined the streets Monday morning to catch a glimpse of Aurora’s annual Independence Day parade as it made its way through downtown. And at least some of them likely spared a thought for the fact that this year’s parade almost didn’t happen at all.

The yearly celebration was nearly a victim of the city’s budget woes. But the Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84 stepped up, and partnered with the city to fund the parade. The hundreds of cheering, laughing children on virtually every downtown street were glad they did.

The parade this year included about 80 different participants, from the Aurora Fire Department to marching bands from nearly all of the city’s schools, to dance teams and one massive military helicopter. The weather remained warm and bright, and for more than an hour, people clapped thunderously and waved flags, celebrating our nation’s birth.

One of those was Landa Midgley of Aurora, who arrived Monday morning wearing full patriotic garb – including a red, white and blue hat.

“I am loving our city and our great country today,” she said.

Aurora also partnered with the village of North Aurora to put on its annual fireworks display Monday night, on the grounds of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy.