Elizabeth Mays from Aurora knows her grandson’s love for trucks. He eagerly attended the Community Hero Day on Saturday morning in Aurora to see them up close. ‘Kids love trucks, oh God, yes,’ she commented at the ninth annual event held at the Aurora Regional Fire Museum in downtown Aurora. ‘Kids enjoy touching and experiencing these massive vehicles; they don’t seem as intimidating.’
The event brought together first responders and various fire, police, and emergency vehicles for families to explore. The four-hour gathering featured fire truck rides through downtown Aurora, touch-a-truck options, a live fire department demonstration, a free CPR class, face painting, a food vendor, and a live DJ.
Brian Failing, executive director of the Aurora Regional Fire Museum, stated that the event has been a local tradition for almost a decade. ‘We aimed to gather all community heroes, beyond just police and fire, encompassing all community services,’ he explained. The event has evolved to focus more on fire and life safety, showcasing the fire department’s role, including a live fire demonstration and an extrication demo.
Organizers mentioned that the event attracts about 1,000 visitors annually. ‘Families love the hands-on experience and interacting with different organizations, vehicles, and people,’ Failing noted. ‘Experiencing what goes into ensuring a safe community. Popular attractions include fire truck rides, live fire demonstrations, and the touch-a-truck exhibit.’
Brittany Brunner from North Aurora visited a local canine officer station at the event. It was her first time attending Community Hero Day. ‘I think people are drawn to this for community engagement and to honor local service providers,’ she said. ‘It’s rewarding to see families come together and connect.’
Brunner also commented on the influence the event might have on children. ‘It might inspire them to pursue careers in these fields in the future,’ she added.
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
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