Aurora Museum Foundation aims to restore iconic Cactus Motel neon sign with annual holiday fundraiser
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The Aurora Museum Foundation’s annual Festival of Wreaths fundraiser is back for its 24th year. Each year, decorated wreaths are donated by local businesses, organizations and individuals throughout the Aurora community for this gallery exhibition and fundraiser. All donated wreaths are then displayed in the Aurora History Museum’s Community Gallery, where they can be viewed from Tuesday, Nov. 7 to Sunday, Dec. 10. During this time, wreaths on display are sold to the highest bidder through a live auction at the gallery opening event or through an online auction, with all proceeds going back to the museum.
This year’s fundraiser will go towards a specific campaign, the restoration of Aurora’s iconic Cactus Motel Sign that once graced Colfax Avenue. The sign stood from 1951 until it was taken down in 1995. For the last 28 years, the iconic neon sign has been in storage at the Aurora Reservoir until the Aurora History Museum and Historic Sites staff cleaned it and moved it to the museum. This year’s proceeds will go towards fully restoring the sign and permanently installing it in the Ruth Fountain Gallery alongside Trolley Trailer no. 610.
The community is invited to view the wreaths on display at the Aurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway, through Sunday, Dec. 10. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday through Sunday, special extended hours are available for the gallery opening event, Wednesday, Nov. 15 and Aurora’s Holiday Tree Lighting, Tuesday, Dec. 5.
Learn more about the Festival of Wreaths and how to support the restoration of the Cactus Motel Sign at amfco.org/wreaths.