City and Civic Center To Host RiverEdge Park Ribbon Cutting
Published on June 12, 2026
The City of Aurora and the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA) will host a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house on Thursday, June 18 beginning at 5:30 P.M. to commemorate the reopening of RiverEdge Park following nearly $16 million in renovations and expansion.
The event, which is open to the public, will feature remarks from Mayor John Laesch and President and CEO of ACCA Tim Rater, along with an open house in which guests can walk the grounds to see the new construction, including the beverage pavilion, skydeck, restrooms, south gate entrance and will call. Following the ribbon cutting, guests will also be able to visit the back stage area and enter inside the new artist building.
The RiverEdge Park Expansion Project began in 2018 with meetings between City staff, ACCA staff, key stakeholders, RIverEdge Park Committee members, and the Aurora Police Department to examine improvements to the facility based on the original concept plan. The scope of improvements includes increasing the capacity of the Park by 1,500 people, a backstage expansion of nearly 10,000 square feet to help attract new acts, a new entry way on teh southern portion of teh Park a new VIP section, new restrooms, a new sponsor skydeck and a new beverage pavilion. The Park will also feature upgraded sound systems and two new jumbotrons to improve the attendee experience near the back area of the park.
“What an exciting way to reopen RiverEdge Park and kick off a true Aurora tradition in Blues on the Fox,” Mayor John Laesch said. “These key renovations to RiverEdge Park will continue to attract diverse and high-quality acts that expand Aurora’s entertainment portfolio and drive more visitors to our City.”
“This ribbon cutting ceremony is the result of years of planning, coordination, and a strong partnership with the City of Aurora, “Tim Rater said. “We are looking forward to continuing build on each other’s successes, further revitalizing the City’s downtown, and promoting Aurora as a hub for engaging live entertainment."
The popular Blues on the fox returns this Saturday, June 20, and marks the annual kick off to RiverEdge Park’s Summer Concert Season. The 2026 headliner is Trombone Short & Orleans Avenue, along with California blues powerhouse Tommy Castro & the Painkillers, Texas blues phenom Ally Venable, and Memphis blues rocker Eric Gales. Gates are set to open at 2 P.M.
Third Eye Blind and the Six One Five Collective are also slated to perform at the park this summer, along with legendary bands The Beach Boys, Cheap Trick, Gov’t Mule, Lauren Alaina, UB40, Poi Dog Pondering. RiverEdge Park is also introducing a new, family-friendly Movies in the Park series, and remains a host site for the City of Aurora’s annual 4th of July Fireworks Celebration, which will take place on Friday, July 3 at 9:15 P.M.