Old-fashioned fun will be the theme of the annual Independence Day Picnic and Ringing of the Bells at the Aurora Historical Society’s Tanner House Museum on July 4 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Festivities will begin with music by singer-songwriter Bradley Keven Green and traditional children’s games on the front lawn of the Tanner House Museum. Visitors can take selfies with *Lady Liberty* and *Uncle Sam*, portrayed by Tina and Jeremy Fewer, on the front steps of the house and tour the interior. The house was built by the Tanner family in 1857 when the United States was still forming as a nation and is a typical upper-middle-class Victorian home.
There will be a petting zoo, face painting, and hot dogs, chips, old-fashioned sodas, and Oberweis ice cream for sale at nominal prices.
At noon Andy Head the Wild Wacky Juggler will perform, followed by the bell ringing at 1:00pm. All children present are invited to pull the ropes of the historic bells on the lawn in a nation-wide patriotic salute introduced by President John Kennedy in 1963. Immediately following the bells the American Legion Post 84 band will present a concert of traditional music.
The final event of the day will be the blueberry-pie-eating contest which is open to all ages.
For July 4 only, visitors on-site can join the Aurora Historical Society at half-off. The offer applies only to new members who are in person at the picnic, according to membership chair Jim Varney.
The Tanner House is located at 304 Oak Avenue, 60506, at the corner of Oak Avenue and Cedar Street.
