Thousands expected for Sunday’s Aurora Street Festival

Thousands are expected to fill Yonge Street once again as the Aurora Chamber of Commerce hosts its first Street Festival since 2019.

Previously postponed due to the global pandemic, residents and vendors alike are “excited” to return for the event, which sees more than 500 vendors line the Town's busiest street from Wellington Street to Murray Drive.

“It's exciting to have local businesses come back, the ability to open up the street and see all the thousands of people that will come through Town – not just in our downtown core, but even further down Yonge Street,” says Sandra Ferri, President & CEO of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce. “It's the largest Street Festival in York Region and everyone has a good time. We have music, entertainment, a wide variety of vendors there and we're just so looking forward to it – and the weather looks like it is going to be beautiful, so we're hoping for a nice day where everybody can be outdoors and enjoy the Town and what it has to offer.”

Some people, she said, were “surprised” the Chamber was planning to bring the event back earlier this year citing public health restrictions, but everything aligned just right, she adds.

“We moved forward as if we would be in a good position to move forward with it and that was the right decision because, as it turns out, the restrictions were similar to any other year we have done it in the past – no restrictions, really,” said Ms. Ferri. “We have made sure the booths would have extra space around them so people would have a little more breathing room as they walked down the street. We're really happy we made the call to move forward with it because we're in a good place to do it this summer and I think everyone is looking forward to enjoying a Festival again.”

This is not the first in-person event the Aurora Chamber of Commerce has staged since restrictions were loosened. In March, the Chamber hosted the annual Mayor's Luncheon and the following month the Aurora Chamber Home Show returned to the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex. Most recently, they hosted an in-person Women's Wellness Luncheon as well.

This Festival, however, is free and open to all members of the public and, in addition to vendors, there will be plenty of live entertainment to keep people entertained – and, of course, plenty of food to keep everyone satisfied.

“We have two stages and one will be at the Church Street intersection,” says Sandra Watson of the Aurora Chamber. “From 11 – 12.45, we will have the Borealis Big Band, from 1.15 – 2.30 is the Sean McCarthy Quartet, and from 3 – 5 p.m. is Steve Falk and Soul Benefit. At the Golf Links Drive intersection, we will feature The Coyotes throughout the day. The fan favourite of the Street Festival is the Fire Guy and he is going to be performing at the Brookland intersection with four shows at 11.30, 12.30, 1.45 and 2.45.

“It's a nice day and we like to see everyone out.”

Adds Ms. Ferri: “It is going to be a beautiful day and you're outdoors so there will be even less possibility of transmission. Everyone should come out and enjoy the sunshine!”

The Aurora Chamber Street Festival takes over Yonge Street this Sunday, June 5, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit aurorachamber.on.ca.

By Brock Weir
Editor
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter