The Aurora Chamber of Commerce announced this week that it will be discontinuing the tradition of hosting the community’s annual fireworks display.
An event staged at the fairgrounds the last several years on the Saturday of A’ROR’N Days weekend will no longer be on the Chamber’s busy summer schedule, as was explained in a letter sent to members.
“It is crucial to emphasize that this decision was not made lightly, and we fully recognize the cherished place that the fireworks display holds in the hearts of our community members,” said a letter signed by Chamber President Derek Djernes and Vice President Derek Rose. “However, it is also critical that we choose initiatives that yield tangible benefits for the local businesses that we serve.”
The primary obstacle, as was explained in the letter, was that the costs associated with orchestrating a quality fireworks display have continued to rise each year.
“These increases place a strain on our resources as we have been unable to secure designated funds for fireworks that we have received in previous years,” the letter stated. “Furthermore, we faced the inherent difficulty in monetizing an event that occurs after sunset, limiting visibility and engagement opportunities for businesses. The relatively brief duration (approximately half an hour) poses additional challenges in maximizing economic returns for our sponsors.”
The Aurora Chamber remains committed to keeping membership affordable and offering a variety of benefits.
“We believe these resources are a more effective use of funds to support our members’ success than the rising costs associated with the fireworks display,” Djernes and Rose wrote.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to all those who have contributed to the success of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce fireworks display over the years, and we look forward to embarking on new ventures that will continue to make Aurora the place to spend time and do business.”
Any organization interested in taking over this event is encouraged to reach out to the Chamber.
