PHOTOS AND VIDEO BY TRI DUONG — FOR THE SENTINEL
AURORA | The 7/20 Memorial Foundation is commemorating the 11th anniversary of the Aurora theater shooting with a variety of events, some new, some becoming a tradition.
The events will take place at the Water-wise Garden, southeast of the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway.
The annual near-midnight vigil remembrance began at 11:59 p.m. , late Wednesday.
This year, about 40 people attended the annual commemoration, reading names of the shooting victims and sharing memories of their lives.
“Eleven years, that is a struggle to me, it seems it was just like yesterday,” Suzette Davis said, who recently returned and saw the memorial and vigil for the first time this week. She was near the theater the night of the shooting in 2012. “I always have my camera with me, so I went to take photos when police started to report on it, just never expected a massive scale to take place.”
Commemorative events continue on Saturday, July 22, with the foundation hosting their annual Reflection Garden on Tap fundraiser and a 5K run.
Zack Golditch, a former NFL player and current South Metro Firefighter — and a survivor of the Aurora shooting — will organize the second annual The Hero’s Journey 5K Run/Walk. The event will start at 8 a.m., with D.J. Sinna-G from Mix 100 radio set to kick off the proceedings. Proceeds from the event will fund the Zack Golditch Opportunity Scholarship for an Aurora Public Schools student.
A community gathering is scheduled for after the race, at 9:30 a.m., featuring wellness booths dedicated to various ways of healing trauma. The booths will showcase mental health resources, art, and a variety of non-profit organizations.
From 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., local breweries will provide beer tasting.
The event’s live entertainment includes local band Brushfire, playing from 11 a.m. to noon. Following them, the home-grown Harlotts, from Rangeview High School, will take the stage from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Additionally, 22 chalk artists will be drawing live in the memorial garden throughout the community event. They will focus on the theme, “Be the Light.”
Participants can register for the 5K at the event website. The festival is free for all, while wristbands for the beer tasting can be purchased for a $25 donation online or for $30 at the event. All proceeds from the event will go toward furthering the values of the 7/20 Memorial Foundation.
Volunteers fold origami cranes in preparation for the vigil night at the 7/20 memorial at the Aurora Municipal Center, July 20, 2023. The paper cranes are available for the public to write love notes and supportive thoughts towards the unforgotten. 
2. A plaque on display In remembrance of Veronica Sullivan for the vigil night at the 7/20 memorial at the Aurora Municipal Center, July 20, 2023. 
Through a paper crane wreath display, attendees of the vigil night picks of an origami crane to write messages and carry to the statues at the 7/20 memorial at the Aurora Municipal Center, July 20, 2023. 
Suzette Davis, attendee of the vigil night, picks out a paper crane along with others to prepare a message for the unforgotten lives at the 7/20 memorial at the Aurora Municipal Center, July 20, 2023. “11 years, that is a struggle to me, it seems it was just like yesterday,” Davis said. “I always have my camera with me, so I went to take photos when police started to report on it, just never expected a massive scale to take place.” 
Reid Hettich, lead pastor at Mosaic Church of Aurora, gives a prayer alongside others for the 11th annual remembrance ceremony at the 7/20 memorial at the Aurora Municipal, July 20, 2023. 
First responder reenactment scene for the vigil night at the 7/20 memorial at the Aurora Municipal Center, July 20, 2023. Attendees of the event clapped to cheer on their police and firefighter’s response time 11 years ago. 
First responder reenactment scene for the vigil night at the 7/20 memorial at the Aurora Municipal Center, July 20, 2023. Attendees of the event clapped to cheer on their police and firefighter’s response time 11 years ago. 
First responders and attendees of the vigil night greet each other after the reenactment at the 7/20 memorial at the Aurora Municipal, July 20, 2023. 
First responders and attendees of the vigil night greet each other after the reenactment at the 7/20 memorial at the Aurora Municipal, July 20, 2023. 
12 crosses in rememberance of the victims for the vigil at the 7/20 memorial at the Aurora Municipal, July 20, 2023. 
Origami cranes on display in representation of 70 injured victums of the vigil night at the 7/20 memorial at the Aurora Municipal, July 20, 2023. 
Origami cranes from attendees of the vigil night in the Little Free Library at the 7/20 memorial at the Aurora Municipal, July 20, 2023. 
The sculpture of cranes at the 7/20 memorial at the Aurora Municipal, July 20, 2023. 
Registration for the 5K is at https://runsignup.com/Race/CO/Aurora/TheHeroes5K
Wristbands for the beer tasting are available at https://www.7-20memorial.org/21-beer-wristband
Donations for the foundation can be made at https://www.7-20memorial.org/donate
221 shootings todate
What’s changed.
Republican states making it easier for anyone to get a gun.
Good, then you won’t be the only lunatic with a gun.