Youth News and Events

The Town of Aurora is proud to celebrate National Youth Week annually from May 1 to May 7.

Youth are a vital part of each community and contribute meaningful experiences through their participation in a wide variety of programs. Whether it is recreation, arts, civic engagement, drama, dance, sport, volunteerism, or leadership, their contributions help shape our communities.

Throughout May 1 to May 7, we celebrate teens aged 12 to 17 by offering a schedule full of free programs, events, and opportunities.

For more information or to get involved, please email the Youth Division

Any youth in grades 4 to 12 who live in York Region. You can participate by yourself or as part of a team. If you are participating as part of a team, each member’s information needs to be on the entry form.

Please note that you can only enter the fair once per year – either as an individual or as part of a team.

It is up to you – as long as your idea or invention is original or one that you have not previously entered in Aurora’s Youth Innovation Fair. You can either create something entirely new or adapt an existing invention. However, if you are taking a pre-existing invention and adapting it, you need to acknowledge the original inventor(s).

Some past ideas/inventions include: a device to clean water, an electric shoe, a dish lift, a 3D Tiny Home plan, an electronic wall calendar, and a self-sustaining toothbrush.

You will have approximately two hours to display your project to the public and a group of judges. It is recommended that you create a display (e.g. poster board, video, example of project) and put together a short speech or presentation to explain how your project works.

There are no requirements for how you present your idea, but it is recommended that you think about how best to showcase your idea. Some past participants have created posters, brought small examples or prototypes of their inventions, or created images or photos of their ideas.

You will be given two (2) minutes to present your idea to the judges. When the judges approach, you will be asked to introduce yourself and your project and briefly explain how your idea or invention works. This is when you will use the speech or presentation you have prepared. The judges may ask a few follow up questions to assist with their decision making process.

The fair is open to the public so the community can come in and see all the amazing ideas and inventions youth are working on and creating. You are asked to be present for the entire fair or make arrangements to be present for the judging and results periods.

• 5 p.m. – Sign-In and Set-Up Begins
• 6 p.m. – Age Category Judging (fair open to the public for presentations)
• 8 p.m. – Technology Showcase
• 8:30 p.m.  – Announcement of Winners and Prizes

Participants can set-up their entries prior to the event on Wednesday, May 15, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Aurora Town Hall.

There will be three groups of judges, one for each age category. All of the judges will be using the same rubric to evaluate participants. Judges will be examining the following criteria.

• Innovation & Creativity - Innovative and creative thinking shows participant(s) are working “outside the box” and mixing different ideas together to form new solutions.
• Community Leadership - Participants can show leadership by recognizing and addressing an issue that affects their community. Issues should be current and solutions should have a positive impact on the lives of others.
• Eco-Friendly - Participants show concern for nature by choosing a project that involves or addresses the environment through eco-friendly methods and solutions.
• Functionality - Participants can demonstrate their product or idea has real world function that would improve the lives of others.
• Process & Formation - Through presentation or display, participants can demonstrate their thought process and explain how the product/idea came to be.

Yes, the Aurora Town Hall has free Wi-Fi access through access to an internet browser either on a computer, mobile phone, or tablet. There will likely be a higher than normal usage of the Wi-Fi that evening, so participants should not rely heavily on consistent access.

There will be some access to outlets but it will be limited and assigned on a first come, first serve basis. Please indicate on your form if you require power and Town staff will inform you that power will be accessible for your booth upon confirmation of your application. Participants must bring their own power cords.

Contact the Town of Aurora Special Events Division at any time for questions, concerns or comments.

Phone: 365-500-3165

Email: Special Events Team

Are you between the ages of 12 and 17 and a resident of Aurora? Then you could be Aurora’s next Teen Idol. Registration takes place in the Spring each year. For more information, visit the Aurora Performing Arts Festival webpage. This annual competition is a great opportunity for budding artists. 

For the audition round, each participant will prepare one song which they will perform in front of three judges. They can choose any song of their choice. The auditions will be taking place in June of each year. When you register to participate, more details, including the audition location will be sent to you.

The judges will be choosing eight semi-finalists which will perform one more time on Canada Day in Lambert Willson Park. Not only will these eight semi-finalists get to perform on the Canada Day stage, but each semi-finalist will also be invited to perform the national anthem at the beginning of one of the Concerts in the Park during the summer.