“Aurora’s East-West Football Rivalry” by Steve Solarz, the first definitive history of the oldest football rivalry in Illinois, will be released with an event at the Aurora Historical Society on Friday, Aug. 1, 2014.  The author will autograph copies from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer, 60505.

Solarz’ book is illustrated and covers 120 years of the sport as played at East and West Aurora high schools.  The rivalry is considered one of the oldest in the country.

The book is priced at $19.99 plus tax and although it will not be shipped to retail stores until later in the month, it will be available starting Aug. 1 at the Museum Store at the Pierce Center.

The release party is part of First Fridays in Downtown Aurora, a gallery walk.  Current features at the Pierce Art and History Center are the exhibits “Play Ball, Aurora!” and “Aurora Story” by the historical society and the exhibit “Jazz Occurrence” by the Aurora Public Art Commission.  During the evening musician and artist Lewis Achenbach will paint canvasses set around the band, The Jazz Occurrence Sextet.

SOURCE: Aurora Historical Society