Aurora Amphitheatre Opening

The sounds of music will fill the air this summer in Aurora, Ill., with news of the opening of the city’s new RiverEdge Park and an entertainment venue.

The 10,500-capacity Music Garden situated on the Fox River is gearing up to make its debut June 14 with the Blues on the Fox festival. On the books this season are Dr. John, J.J. Grey & Mofro, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, and The Stone Foxes. Other acts booked for the first season include Loretta Lynn and Randy Travis, Trace Adkins, and Peter Frampton.

The amphitheatre will include rows of seats near the stage plus grassy areas and a rooftop deck for VIPs, according to the local Daily Herald. The Aurora Civic Center Authority will manage the venue.

“Our goal is to offer a strong combination of national headliners, local performing arts productions and stage a wide variety of exciting special events, all aimed at boosting Aurora’s profile as a growing and vibrant destination for live entertainment,” authority president Tim Rater told the paper.

The Music Garden was reportedly constructed using $13 million in grants from the state, the Fox Valley Park District and a local philanthropic fund.