Aurora To Hold 4th Of July Parade After All
AURORA, Ill. (WBBM) -- The City of Aurora will be holding a 4th of July parade this year after all.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Bernie Tafoya reports, Aurora, like many cities, has to be tighter with the dollar these days. But Ald. Stephanie Kifowit was pressed into action after one cut made by Mayor Tom Weisner.
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"Two months ago, the mayor chose to use that line item solely for the fireworks, and decided to cancel the 4th of July Parade," Kifowit said.
Kifowit is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and a member of American Legion Post 84. She Kifowit says having a 4th of July parade is important, and needs to take place so people can wave their flags and show their patriotism.
"When it was brought to my attention, I told the American Legion that the city can't do everything, and if we want the parade to continue, that we need to step up," Kifowit said.
Kifowit says The American Legion post has stepped up, and has agreed to fund the parade. The city of Aurora eventually agreed to match up to $15,000 in donations collected by the post to pay for parade-related costs.
So far, the post has collected $11,000 in donations and is looking for about $4,000 more.
Kifowit says the post already has the minimum amount needed to host a parade.
Donations can be made at the post's Web site.
