North Aurora Days has something for everyone

Hundreds of pets walk with their owners down State Street during last year's North Aurora Days Pet Parade. Daily Herald File Photo

Gabriela Baiz of North Aurora kept tabs on 1-year-old Zoe during last year's pet parade during North Aurora Days. Daily Herald File Photo

North Aurora Days should provide attendees with an unforgettable lineup of weekend activities. Many shows, safety demonstrations, sports and shopping will be offered Friday through Sunday.

Mark Gaffino, festival chair the past four years, said he got involved one year simply because the mayor asked him, and since then because he's wanted to.

"I've been in North Aurora my whole life, and I've really enjoyed it," Gaffino said.

More than 4,000 people go to the fest every night, Gaffino said. Each year he tries to incorporate new activities to keep people interested and coming back.

This year the festival brought back the beer and wine tasting events, and added a French market, video gaming truck and a car, bike and truck show.

Mike Treve, owner of Raimondo's Pizza & Pub, 1033 Kilbery Lane, will host the beer and wine tasting events. Wine tasting will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday. Beer tasting is from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The French Market will have more than 30 vendors selling everything from antiques to baked goods. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Island Park. The Games Dudes video gaming truck will allow up to 12 people to play free on different systems from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Clocktower Plaza.

The car, truck and bike show offers awards for the best vehicle in various categories and a President's Choice.

Other vehicle shows will also be featured. A sirens parade will travel through town highlighting emergency vehicles from all eras starting at 7 p.m. Friday at Tinseltown, 320 S. Lincolnway. The Emergency Vehicle Show will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday on Airport Road to give everyone a closer look at some of the vehicles featured in the parade.

A community garage sale, flea market and book sale will be promoted throughout the village. Garage sales will be hosted at residents' homes and the festival will provide a map for interested buyers from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. The New Hope Lutheran Church will host a Giving New Hope flea market starting at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The book sale will be held 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and the Messenger Library, 113 Oak St.

Kevin Drendel coordinates the Kids' Fishing Derby from 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday at Chesterfield Lake. Last year, 651 fish were caught by 50 participants. Ken Gortowski, outdoor sports blogger and Fox River guide, will teach kids different techniques and tips about fishing, Drendel said.

"For some of the kids, they're catching their first fish," Drendel said. "They have a great time. It's a lot of fun to watch the kids."

There will also be plenty of activities for sports enthusiasts.

Starting at 8:30 p.m. Friday Valley Green Golf Course will host night golfing with glow-in-the-dark balls, cups and tee boxes. Run for the Riverfront is a series of races. People can run in the 5K, 10K or 1-mile Fun Run starting at 7:05 a.m. Saturday. Softball games will be played all day Saturday at Fearn Baseball Fields and a Baggo tournament will be in the Valley Community Bank parking lot.

Additional events on Saturday are designed to promote well-being. A Safe Kids event will bring in 50 agencies for educational and entertaining demonstrations at Mooseheart. Mooseheart will also have booths set up for child seat safety checks, children finger printing and photo identification card making. Messenger Library will provide free hearing checks and Old Second National Bank will offer free document shredding.

Four bands will play Friday and Saturday. Roads Traveled plays at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by Arra at 8:30 p.m. Hillbilly Rockstarz plays at 6 p.m. Saturday and Friction at 8:30 p.m.

North Aurora Days also features an ice cream eating contest, carnival rides, a beer tent, fireworks, community breakfast and a pet parade.

For a complete schedule, go to northauroradays.com.