Overview

• The city-led celebration spanned a Saturday festival at Wilder Park and a Sunday parade that stepped off near Broadway and Benton in downtown Aurora.
• Attendance was lower than expected as fears of stepped-up immigration enforcement in the region discouraged some families from participating.
• Mayor John Laesch said the city received requests to cancel but proceeded without adding security, citing anxiety driven by social media chatter.
• The Aurora Rapid Response Team and other organizations were on hand to reassure attendees and informally patrol the parade route.
• This year’s parade honored community leader and East Aurora School District board member Saúl Olivas as grand marshal, highlighting the city’s Hispanic heritage and civic engagement.