Climb aboard one of the first mass-produced airliners and step back in time to aviation’s golden age this weekend at Rockford-Chicago International Airport.

July 13-15

Fly on the Ford, presented By EAA – Experimental Aircraft Association

Chicago Rockford International Airport

60 Airport Dr., Rockford

2-5 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday

$70 adult (in advance), $75 (walk-up), $50 age 17 and under

Climb aboard one of the first mass-produced airliners and step back in time to aviation’s golden age. A flight on EAA’s Ford Tri-Motor is a flight back to an era where air travel was considered a luxury. Revenues from the Ford Tri-Motor tour help cover maintenance and operations costs for the aircraft and aid the ambition to keep the “Tin Goose” flying for many years to come. Information: (877) 952-5395.

THROUGH AUG. 3

Music in the Park, Sinnissippi Park Music Shell

1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford

free

Every Tuesday and Thursday through Aug. 3

Upcoming performers: June 27 – Rockford Concert Band, Patriotic Concert, June 29 – Rhythym Rockets, July 6 – The Jodi Beach Trio, July 11 – Rockford Concert Band, “Music Around the World”, July 13 – Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts, July 18 – Rockford Concert Band, “Reflections in Sound”, July 20 – Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers, July 25 – Rockford Concert Band, “The Great American Songbook”, July 27 – Blooze Brothers, Aug. 1 – Rock Valley Summer Festival Orchestra and Aug. 3 – Can’t Touch This. Information: www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/soundsofsummer

THROUGH SEPT. 3

Hello from Japan

Discovery Center Museum

711 N. Main St., Rockford

10 a.m.

$8 per person, free for members and children age one and under.

Children will have fun learning about life in present-day Japan in this playful and interactive exhibit. Families will be transported to two distinct areas of Tokyo that exist side by side: one serene and exquisite, the other, too cute for words. Information: (815) 963-6769.

THROUGH SEPT. 29

Rockford City Market

Water Street at East State Street, Rockford

weekly on Fridays, 3:30-8:30 p.m.

free admission.

The market is an open air public market featuring locally grown and made items includ-ing vegetables, fruit, meat, cheese, flowers, herbs, baked goods, artisans, prepared food, local beer and wine. There is weekly live entertainment in two areas, kids’ activities, and cooking demos. Information: (815) 988-2825.

THROUGH OCT. 28

North End City Market,

 Intersection of North Main and Auburn Streets, Rockford

weekly on Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

free admission

The market is full of fresh, local products and food and will be a nice place for the community to gather to shop, eat, and socialize. Information: (815) 977-5124.

THROUGH NOV. 5

Bruce Munro: LIGHT

Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens

1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford

varying admission prices and entry times

Call (815) 987-8858 for specifics.

The exhibition, Munro’s eighth large-scale gar-den exhibition in the U.S., allows visitors to literally see the gardens in a new light. The gardens and Con-servatory will provide a stunning backdrop for eight sculptures, including Munro’s iconic “Field of Light” and “Water-Towers.”

JULY 12-16

Peter and the Starcatcher

presented By Starlight Theatre at Rock Valley College

3301 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford

8 p.m. daily additional 2 p.m. performance on July 17

Information: (815) 921-2160

JULY 13

The Rockford Plate – 1920s Style

Midway Village Museum

6799 Guilford Rd. Rockford

5:30-9 p.m.

$55 per person

The 2nd Annual Rockford Plate Gala will transport guests to Rockford during the roaring 1920s. Guests will give the secret password (revealed at the event) to enter into the Speak Easy and into the historic village neighborhood where the residents have opened their doors for this special night. In each of the five homes, a different Rockford ethnic group will feature fab-ulous food, music, traditional clothing, educational displays, decorations, photo ops, and much more. Information: (815) 397-9112.

Garden Explorers: Animal Tracks

Presented By Anderson Japanese Gardens

318 Spring Creek Rd. Rockford

9 a.m.

$5 for non-member adults, free for Garden members and children ages 18 and younger.

Children will make art prints and a stationary set using water soluble colored inks and a print block carved with animal faces and tracks. Information: (815) 229-9390.

JULY 14

Groovin’ at the Garden – Tom Chapin

presented By Anderson Japanese Gardens

318 Spring Creek Rd. Rockford

10 a.m.

free for Garden members, regular Garden admission for non-members

Three-Time Grammy Award-winning and Five Time Grammy Nominated Artist, Chapin, brings his entertaining children’s music to Anderson Japanese Gardens. Tom Chapin is a gifted singer who charms audiences of all ages. His musicianship, great song writing and personal warmth shine through in his many award- winning recordings. Information: (815) 229-9390.

Poetry Open Mic Night with The Mas Tequila Review

pesented By Rockford Art Museum

711 N. Main St. Rockford

7 p.m.

This after-hours open mic night for all ages is hoted by Richard Vargas of Rockford liter-ary publicaion The Mas Tequila Review. Information: (815) 968-2787.

JULY 15

Hanz Brew Fest, presented By Todd Hansmeier Memorial Fund

Settler’s Park

125 Hawick St., Rockton

$30 general admission, $10 designated driver, $100 Beer Buddy four-pack

noon-6 p.m.

Celebrate the life of Todd Hansmeier in an event featuring around 30 breweries serving more than 100 craft beers, local food vendors, live music, and all kinds of great games. Proceeds benefit a memorial fund set up in Todd’s honor, to go towards a yearly scholarship for a deserving Hononegah High School student. Infor-mation: (815) 871-3932.

–Winnebago County Calendar of Events–