Lovely garden “rooms” are an important part of your visit to Heirloom Roses, St. Paul, just 17 minutes from Aurora.  The bushes are loaded with rosebuds and ready to bloom at any time!

Spring and early summer in the Aurora area will bring out the best for you in flower festivals, nursery products and the first berries of the season!  Combine a trip to your favorite fields with a stop in Oregon’s Antiques Capital.  (Visit Heirloom Roses for a day of artistic inspiration as well as advice on growing their hundreds of exceptional roses.  Click on the link for field reports and events.)

Announcing!  Apply now for Aurora’s biggest summer event – Aurora Colony Days!        August 10-11                                                                                                                                Outdoor Antiques Faire - August 10, 8am-4pm  Antiques Vendor Booths available:  click on Aurora Colony Days above for information and contract application.

Art Show & Sale - August 10-11, Artists Reception August 9.  Call for Artists! Open to all artists, professional and nonprofessional.  Click on Aurora Colony Days Events or click here for more information and entry forms.

May 25-27  Memorial Day Weekend  Put Aurora on your list of places to visit this weekend. Shops open 11-5 (some open at 10am) with many open on Monday, May 27th.  Browse our Americana collections, pre-summer specials and enjoy Marionberry pie and icy gelato at Scatter Creek Junction, an award-winning burger with a cold beer (family friendly) at The Colony Pub or sip select local wines at Pheasant Run Winery Tasting Room.

June 22-23  “Walk with Emma” walking tour kick off.  Pick up your free walking tour map/brochure in Aurora’s shops and begin your discovery of Aurora of the 19th century!  Emma’s words give your self-guided tour a fun and revealing account about life here during the Aurora Colony era and in the years that followed.  For more information on The Emma Walk and Emma Wagner Giesy go to www.auroracolony.org.

June 23  Strawberry Social, Old Aurora Colony Museum, 12-4pm.  With old time music and delicious strawberry shortcake, you’ll want to relax in our 19th century courtyard before or after your self-guided Emma Walk.  www.auroracolony.org

Bring Mom to town May 11 or 12 with our special package described below.

Mothers Day Jewelry & Wine Weekend, May 11 or 12.  Surprise Mom with a day in Aurora filled with local wine tastings, a peek into the museum village, $ to spend in Aurora’s shops and a pair of handmade sterling/freshwater pearl earrings, a $77 value.  Special jewelry displays, jewelry artists on hand, and jewelry specials from our famous antiques shops will highlight this weekend which will include antique jewelry, vintage jewelry and contemporary artisan pieces.  What could be more fun for Moms?  11-5.  Passport tickets available at Timeless Antiques, Time After Time or purchase online (a PASSPORT FOR TWO for only $30) by clicking the button below.   Print out your PayPal receipt and present it at Time After Time to obtain your passport(s).   You may change the quantity of passports you want in the shopping cart that will appear in the right hand column after clicking the Add To Cart button. (Passport for two includes wine tastings at three locations, two decorated wine glasses, a pair of artisan sterling/freshwater pearl earrings in velvet bag, admission for two to the Old Aurora Colony Museum and $10 to spend in any of Aurora’s shops.) For additional information call (503)939-0312.  This event is a fundraiser for the Old Aurora Colony Museum educational programs.

Mothers Day May 12  So, you don’t have much time left after you’ve taken Mom to a leisurely brunch but feel you need to walk around a bit?  Aurora is the perfect place for a relaxing afternoon where everyone one in the family will find something that sparks an interest!  Browse our famous antique stores, relax on one of our blue benches while the ladies shop or enjoy a coffee, glass of wine or iced gelato.  Shops open 11-5.

Catch the buzz about Aurora’s 20 antiques and specialty shops in our national historic district.

Rain or shine, Aurora is open for a wonderful day far from the maddening crowds!  Park your car for the visit and walk the four square block downtown area and then drive a few blocks south to find even more history, antiques and delicacies. 

Tulip Fest!  March 29 – May 5 Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm.  Acres of blooming color at this fantastic spring event.  For any age, from seniors with cameras to children with games and wooden shoe clomping and everyone in between.  Gift shop, gorgeous cut tulips you won’t find in the grocery store, order bulbs for your own garden, food vendors, music and booths on weekends or a quiet stroll through the fields.  Daily field reports go to www.woodenshoe.com.

April 13  NEW DATE! Antique Radio Show & Sale, 9am-3pm Aurora American Legion Hall.  Don’t miss this great event sponsored by the Northwest Vintage Radio Society.  Free admission, plenty of parking.  www.nwvrs.com

May 11-12 Ladies Weekend! 

Mothers Day Weekend Wine & Jewelry Walk. Saturday and Sunday 11-5. Get your wives, moms, grandmoms, daughters and yourselves to Aurora for a day of sampling local wines and drooling and shopping for jewelry.  Antique jewelry, vintage jewelry, contemporary and artist jewelry – all are featured at selected shops.  Your $55 passport for two includes wine tastings, souvenir wine glasses, Aurora Bucks to spend and a pair of artisan sterling/freshwater pearl earrings for Mom.  Tickets on sale at (503)678-6987.

4th Annual Remembering Emma Saturday, May 11.  1-4pm Old Aurora Colony Museum.  Author Jane Kirkpatrick will be the featured speaker on this day remembering Colony member Emma Giesy which includes a new Emma Walk, touring places Emma knew in her lifetime in her own words as well as a walk to her grave followed by a reception and visiting with Jane (4-5:30) at the Frederick Keil house.  $35 reservation limited to 100.  Morning book signing 10:30-noon with Jane is open without reservation with museum admission.  Call (503)678-5754 www.auroracolony.org

Don’t worry about a raindrop here or there – Aurora’s shops and eateries are just steps away from each other.

With Spring on our doorstep, it’s just the time to make the short trip to Aurora for some fresh air and easy exercise.  With 20 antiques and specialty shops, great food, wine and candy tasting and with an exciting new exhibit at the museum, this is an ideal opportunity to break free of the winter season.

Now through May 5  “Made in Aurora – Furniture of the Colony”  Old Aurora Colony Museum, Tuesday -Saturday 11-4, Sunday noon-4.  This is a rare opportunity to see a curated collection of a variety of original and early Oregon furniture made during the Colony period 1856-1879.  You’ll see baby furniture, cabinets, chairs, tables with the emphasis on the old-growth woods that were used, especially Douglas fir.  The special show marks the beginning celebrations of the 50 year anniversary of the Aurora Colony Historical Society.  If you are interested in both antique furniture and early Oregon artifacts, this will be a must-see!

March 2  First Saturday in Aurora Flea Market, 9am-4pm, Aurora American Legion Hall.  Want to clean out your attic or sell an old collection?  Rent a table for the day.  Click on the First Saturday tab above.

March 9-10  Antique Spinning Wheel Showcase, Old Aurora Colony Museum.Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday noon-4pm.  Discover the wonderful heritage of the spinning wheel by learning from dozens of costumed experts who demonstrate on a variety of antique wheels.  Live animals and special activities for children.  Adults $6, Seniors & AAA members $5, Students $2 with ID. Under 6 free with adult admission.  Sponsored by the museum and Aurora Colony Handspinners Guild.

Spinning Wheel Sleuth Florence Feldman-Wood will give a special lecture on March 9 following a catered dinner across the street from the museum at the Lutheran church.  The informative talk will include her research on various aspects of spinning wheels and their evaluations.  Public is welcome.  Dinner including talk $22 ($17 Guild and museum members) or $5 for the presentation alone.  For information and tickets call (503)678-5754.

Spring Break in Aurora!  Grab the kids and bring them with you for a day of a “back door to history” as we like to call “antique shopping”!  Lots of fun foods, including hamburgers at the pub (now open to minors during the day) and the museum is open for tours from Tues-Sundays.  Easy parking, easy walking, public restroom and plenty of benches to rest on between sights.  Visit the candy factory and see how candy is made (and try a few samples too). Shops begin opening 10am and close at 5pm  (candy factory closed Sundays, museum closed Mondays)

Tulip Fest  March 29-May 5. Wooden Shoe Tulip farm, Woodburn.  9am-6pm daily.  Gift shop opens March 1.  Just minutes from Aurora!  You’ll never tire of the spectacular color of these famous fields or the fun atmosphere of the festival with special foods, bulb sales and taking home bouquets of unique tulip blooms you won’t find in the grocery stores!  Games for kids and plenty of photo opportunities.

Aurora’s cozy shops are close together and make an easy walk, even on the chilliest days! Convenient free parking, heated public restroom.

When your four walls start to seem boring and you need to get out, look no further than the short drive to Historic Aurora where fresh, country air and easy walking between shops makes for an invigorating interlude. 

NOT SURE ABOUT THE WEATHER IN AURORA?  CALL (503)678-1044 (10am-5pm) for an on-site description.  Snow does not shut Aurora down!  Many of the store owners live right in town.

February 2-May.  Old Aurora Colony Museum opens for the 2013 year. This year represents a    50 year anniversary for the Aurora Colony Historical Society with many special features to exhibits and events throughout the year. The first special exhibit is “Made in Aurora, Furniture of the Colony”.  This is rare opportunity to see original, early Oregon furniture with a wide variety of types of pieces, from children’s furniture to pieces from Aurora’s famous old hotel.  Some stenciled decoration and red stained pieces but most feature natural finishes on old growth woods that were used here, many in Douglas fir.  A show not to be missed for those interested in antique furniture! www.auroracolony.org.

Valentines “Week”.  Looking for a place to celebrate with your Valentine?  Spend a day in Aurora this week and browse the shops together, have a little lunch, dessert or a cozy dinner.  Start the morning at White Rabbit Bakery by sharing a fresh cinnamon roll over coffee.  Lunch options include freshly made paninni sandwiches at Scatter Creek Junction with the “red and white” gelato (sweet cream and Marionberry scoops) or lunch at Amy’s Bakery & Cafe with fresh baked Marionberry pie a la mode.  Still around after the shops close at 5pm?  The Colony Pub has a full dinner menu plus their all-day fabulous hamburger choices.  Or maybe you need some wine to compliment your own cooking this week — Pheasant Run Winery is offering 2 reds/$20, locally sourced grapes from the neighborhood’s Zimmerman Road, a fresh Merlot blend that’s perfect for Valentine menus.  (Open Friday-Sunday, 12-5).

February 15-16  Antique Bottle Collectors Show & Sale.  Presented by the Oregon Bottle Collectors Association.  Aurora American Legion Hall, 3rd & Main St.  Friday set up and Early Bird entry 1-6pm, $5.  Saturday 9am-3pm, admission by donation.  For information or to rent a table call: (541)467-2760.

Always welcoming, this front porch to Home Again Antiques on Aurora’s Main Street feels like — well, just like you’re home again! Filled with quality pieces including authentic country primitives, paper ephemera, kitchen ware and more! Open Tuesday through Sunday. (503)678-0227.

Put the short trip to Historic Aurora, Oregon on your holiday to-do list this year!  Our 19th century village is decorated with fresh cedar swags, wreaths and red bows (and that’s just on the outside) with interiors that will inspire you. 

WEATHER ALERT!  Will shops be open if it snows this winter?  Yes!  There will be many shops open even on a snowy day as many of the store owners live in our town.  For information on the current weather conditions in Aurora, call John at Main Street Mercantile after 10am. (503)678-1044.

There’s a good reason why Aurora is a national destination for antiques shopping - 16 shops specializing in the best of antique furniture, glassware, country collectibles, industrial decor, pottery, you name it – we’ve got it somewhere here.

Or maybe you want to see the crafts of our country heritage.  Spend an afternoon at the Old Aurora Colony Museum‘s five building complex with its original furnishings, quilts and displays of original costumes.  Visit our two fiber arts studios in town and get those creative juices flowing with selections of spinning materials, yarns, beads and project ideas.

Or is just relaxing and eating on your agenda?  Have a wonderful coffee and fresh cinnamon roll at our artisan bakery, eat a freshly made lunch at your choice of several locations here, stop for a piece of homemade pie or gelato or sit down for a glass of locally made wine and hear how it’s made from the winery itself.  Still here for dinner?  Our local pub food is award-winning!  Take home (or have them send it for you) candy and nuts made right here in Aurora and enjoy the samples while you browse our candy factory outlet store.

Bring your family and friends for a day they will long remember.  There’s something for everyone here!  Shops open 7 days a week beginning at 10am and closing at 5pm.  Easy walking between shops, plenty of free parking and a restroom, too.

The historic downtown of Aurora’s village is all decked out in fresh cedar garlands, wreaths and red bows in readiness for old fashioned holiday shopping.

Plan to make Aurora your destination for a memory-filled day with family and friends during the holiday season.

Free parking, public restroom, no pushing, no shoving, no long lines!  Great food, coffees, desserts, have a glass of wine or craft beer and easy walking between our cozy shops.

December 1st

“An Aurora Colony Christmas” at the Old Aurora Colony Museum.  12-4pm.  Visit the decorated five building complex as well as a nearby private19th century home, hear a special musical presentation at the little historic church, and be entertained by costumed tour guides as you mark the season the way it was done here in the mid 1800′s.  $15.  (503)678-5754. wwwauroracolony.org.

“Wine and Chocolate Walk”  12-5pm.  With a special wine glass in hand, visit several village shops and sample local wines paired with artisan chocolates while you peruse the antiques and specialty goods in Aurora’s famous businesses.  $20 per person, advance tickets available (503)678-5754 or purchase your “passport” that day at Pheasant Run Winery Tasting Room at the foot of Main Street or Timeless Antiques across from the Old Aurora Colony Museum.  Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity.

Santa at the Octagon Building, 2-5pm.  Free.  Bring your camera and the little ones for a delightful visit with Santa Claus.  (The Octagon Building is a mid-1800′s Aurora Colony historic landmark which is not usually open so here’s an extra chance to see what’s inside!)  Special lights get turned on at dusk to make our downtown festive for the season.  The Octagon Building is located on 2nd/Main Street across from the public restroom.

First Saturday in Aurora Flea Market, 9-4, American Legion Hall, 3rd St/Main.  Find that odd collectible or wonderful crafted item in time for the holidays.  For details or to rent your own table call Frances at (503)678-6251.

December 1-2  Aurora Artists Holiday Art & Craft Sale has been canceled for 2012.

December 8-9th  R.O.Y.’S Glass Repair will be at Timeless Antiques, 2nd St/Liberty St.  11-5.  Coming from Puyallup, Washington, this is the time to bring your broken or scratched glass pieces and finally get them repaired.  They repair chips, scratches and broken glass of all types;  pottery and porcelain glueing as well.  Reasonable rates, short turnarounds.  (503)678-6987.

“What’s behind the big tree?” Take Aurora’s Scarecrow Tour by clicking on the link above. Visit us in your automobile and drive around town to see them during October. Driving map is available in Aurora’s shops.

It’s the traditional time of year for that country drive, taking in those final sunny days and loving those historic villages that Aurora personifies.  With nationally recognized antique shopping, historic tours, pumpkin patches and plenty to eat at every turn, make the coming weeks really count for something that you’ll remember when the cold weather sets in.

October through Mid November  Aurora Scarecrow Contest.  Take a drive-by tour of residential sections and a walking tour of businesses to view our creative and charming scarecrows. Follow signs and tour map (available beginning October 17) in Aurora’s shops and eateries.  Take the tour online by clicking on the appropriate tab above.

AURORA CELEBRATES THE HOLIDAYS!

Mark your calendar for these special reasons to make Aurora your holiday destination.

November 10  Santa’s Christmas Bazaar, 9-4, American Legion Hall.  Sponsored by the Aurora American Legion Auxiliary.  (503)678-6251.

November 17  Holiday Open House at Time After Time, 10-5.  Get a head start on Christmas decorating and gift ideas from this popular gift and and antique shop now in its 30th year!  Special appearance  from 12-3 by Aurora artist David Patton who is making a collection of “historic building” birdhouses.  He will also be showing (and taking orders) for custom birdhouses — even your home! — for holiday giving. 21611 Main Street, www.TimeAfterTimeOregon.com (503)678-5463.

November 23-25th Aurora Celebrates the Holidays!  Open house weekend in Aurora’s shops, 10-5.  Fresh cedar garlands, wreaths and red bows adorn our 19th century buildings as we get all dressed up for the season.  Bring your Thanksgiving guests to this popular shopping destination, avoid the malls and give yourself the gift of a relaxing, memorable experience!

December 1“An Aurora Colony Christmas”, Old Aurora Colony Museum, 12-4.  A special event featuring costumed tours of colony and post colony homes and a church, refreshments and old fashioned decor.  See the holiday stories of the Colony acted out!   www.auroracolony.org.

December 1  Wine & Chocolate Walk, Downtown Historic Aurora, 12-5pm.  Spend a memorable afternoon antique shopping while you taste local artisan wines and handmade chocolates from the area’s premier businesses.  Tickets available $20 per person includes special wine glass, tastings, chocolates and a great holiday afternoon!  (503)939-0312.  Sponsored by the Aurora Colony Visitors Association.  Advance ticket sales at (503)678-6987.

December 1  Santa Claus at Aurora’s Historic Octagon Building. 2-5pm.  Dress up the kids, bring your camera and take your pictures for this free event for all children who will enjoy our sweet Santa.  We’ll “light” this building at dusk as we officially kick off the Christmas season in Aurora.  Located at 2nd Street right off Main near the public restroom.

December 1-2  Aurora Artists Holiday Arts & Crafts Sale, 10-5, Pythian Building, 2nd & Liberty Streets, across from the museum.  This gets better every year with an amazing assortment of quality gifts made by extremely talented local artisans.

Easy parking makes Aurora an ideal destination or a quick stop off Highway 99E or Interstate 5. Stores open year round, public restroom, good food, friendly service and fantastic shops! RV parking, too.

AIR CONDITIONED COMFORT!

It’s easy to enjoy your day in Aurora, even on the hottest days of early fall.  With just a couple of exceptions, the shops and eateries here are air conditioned so you can browse the antiques collections in comfort or order a delicious meal with the cool assurance that you can really relax.  If lots of sunshine is your desire, spread out on one of our comfortable Aurora Colony style blue benches with your favorite book or icy gelato from one of our restaurants.  Even the Old Aurora Colony Museum offers a cooling atmosphere to soak up our intriguing history.

Looking for some sustenance?  We have a variety of satisfying offerings:

• Topaz Bistro, just next to our only traffic light on Hwy 99E, offers gourmet appetizers, pasta dishes and daily specials along with local wines and craft beers.
• The Colony Pub, its walls lined with knotty Oregon pine, now offers family dining so that everyone can enjoy those “most memorable burgers” (Oregon Restaurant Association award) as well as salads, sandwiches and full dinners.
• Amy’s Bakery & Cafe in the middle of Main Street’s antiques row is a 1950′s styled coffee shop with fresh sandwiches, old fashioned sodas and shakes and the ever popular Marionberry pie, made right on the premises.
• Scatter Creek Junction sits in the back of the Main Street shops down a garden path in a 1860′s Colony house but is filled with the delicious smells of hand made pannini sandwiches.  Try one with a crisp salad and a scoop or two of that Italian gelato mentioned above.
• Pheasant Run Winery Tasting Room, located at the foot of Main Street in the old bank building will delight your palate with a variety of wines from their local winery.  You can order food from any of Aurora’s eateries to enjoy at one of their comfortable tables inside or outside on their terrace.
• The White Rabbit Bakery offers fresh baked delights, from doughnuts and scones to cookies and more.  Include a custom coffee drink and you’re set to conquer the town.  Located 2 blocks south of city center on Hwy 99E.
• For more details on Aurora’s eateries, click on Shops and Services.

Sept 1-30  Swan Island Dahlia Festival!  Canby. 10-6. Just minutes from Aurora is this annual spectacular show of this extraordinary flower.  Fabulous displays, cut flowers, order tubers and walk through the fields for pictures.  Free.  Plenty of parking, handicap access.  Access from Hwy 99E in Canby, go north on Ivy Street, cut over to Holly St and follow signs for Canby ferry and Swan Island Dahlias.  www.dahlias.com

September 22-23  Glass Repair Days, 11-5 at Timeless Antiques, 2nd & Liberty Streets.  R.O.Y.’S Glass Repair of Puyallup, WA will be on hand to reasonably repair your antique glassware just like they do at the antique shows.  For questions call (503) 678-6987.

September 22-23  Harvest Grape Stomping Festival, St Josef’s Winery, Canby. Just 7 minutes from Aurora for one of the Northwest’s premier wine events.  www.stjosefswinery.com

October 13  Antique Radio Show & Sale, 9-3.  American Legion Hall.  Sponsored by the Northwest Vintage Radio Society.

October 12-21 Annual Quilt Show, Old Aurora Colony Museum.  10-4 daily.  “Seeing Red” is the theme this year of the oldest quilt show in Oregon.  A selection of red themed quilts will be the feature along with a fabulous red/white hand stitched raffle quilt made at the museum by the Colony Quilters. www.auroracolony.org

“Not your Grandmother’s antique store” is the tag line for Aurora’s newest antiques shop, Back Porch Vintage, located on Highway 99E and 2nd Street, in the heart of Historic Aurora.

AURORA COLONY DAYS

AUGUST 11-12

JOIN US for the high point of a Willamette Valley summer with our historic outdoor festival filled with antiques, art, history, food, music and even more antiques!  Get your exercise and then eat a little more as we close off our downtown streets and invite you to enjoy our tiny village as we celebrate with the theme LITTLE TOWN GOES BIG!

August 10  Art Show & Sale Artists Reception, 6-8pm.  American Legion Hall, 3rd & Main Streets.  Enjoy a wide range of mediums from both professional and nonprofessional artists.  Open to the public with complementary buffet sponsored and prepared by local chef Roberta Hutton.

August 11, Saturday:

Pancake Breakfast, 7-11am.  American Legion Hall.  All you can eat benefit sponsored by the American Legion Auxilliary.  $7.00 adult, $5.00 12 & under.

1K/5K Walk/Run, 1K Run starts at 7:30am, 5 K walk starts at 8:30am.  Register at 6:45am and begin at the Old Aurora Colony Museum, 2nd & Liberty Streets. $20/5K walk, $10/1K run. Proceeds benefit the Aurora Concerts in the Park series. (See blog at right for more details.) Have a blast running or walking the streets of historic Aurora while the rest of the town sleeps! You may register online at www.racenorthwest.com and sleep a little later yourself.

OUTDOOR ANTIQUES FAIRE, 8am-4pm.  Shop for authentic antiques and curious vintage finds on the streets of our historic downtown then cool down in our nationally famous AIR CONDITIONED shops.  Great decor from country primitives to midcentury modern and industrial wonders.  Special foods all day, from “fair” foods to gourmet specialties and freshly made desserts.  Shops open until 5pm.

Parade, 11am.  Find a shady spot on Main Street or Liberty Street in our lovely residential neighborhoods and watch our proudly presented parade, complete with Little Miss Pioneer and her court.  Parade makes a loop from the city park on Liberty to the Main Street side.

Living History at the Old Aurora Colony Museum, 11-4.  After you dig around in their annual sidewalk rummage sale, step into the 19th century courtyard and see costumed demonstrators and the popular “ring of fire” wheelwright.  Free admission.  What a show!

Art Show & Sale, 10-5.  American Legion Hall.  You’ll find paintings, photography, textile art as well as three dimensional pieces at this popular annual art show.  Cast your ballot for the Peoples Choice Award.  Take home your favorite piece!  Presented by the Aurora Arts Association.

Celebration in the Park, 5-10pm.  Aurora City Park.  Food, wine and beer presented by Pheasant Run Winery or bring your own picnic dinner while you first listen to the local music spotlight then let your hair down with music by the special entertainment of 10 piece party band “Big Night Out”.

August 12, Sunday

Art Show & Sale, 10-5, American Legion Hall.

Old Aurora Colony Museum, 12-4.  Free admission, self guided tours of this tiny 19th century mini village.  Get your raffle ticket to the new handmade quilt, “Seeing Red” made at the museum by the Colony Quilters.

Shops open 11-5.  We may all be a little tuckered out, but you’ll find all shops open with FABULOUS and varied inventories and we’ll still be smiling!