Winnebago County Calendar of Events July 25 – Aug. 3

The Rockford City Market is held weekly on Fridays starting at 3:30 p.m. and feature features local growers and vendors as well as artisans and vendors with unique offerings.

THROUGH AUG. 2

Tuesday Evening in the Gardens, Anderson Japanese Gardens 318 Spring Creek Rd., Rockford, Tuesdays, 5 p.m., free for members, regular Garden admission for nonmembers, 5 p.m Features local, regional and nationally touring musicians. Guests may set up picnic areas starting at 5:00 pm. Food and beverages are available for purchase from local vendors. Carry-in picnic suppers are welcome – carry-in beverages are prohibited. Performances at 5:45 p.m. InformatIon: 815-229-9390

Music in the Park, Presented By Rockford Park District, Sinnissippi Park Music Shell, 1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford, recurring weekly on Tuesday, Thursday, 7 p.m., free.  The summer outdoor performance series offering a variety of musical performers, styles, and genres. Arrive early for best seating.

THROUGH AUG. 29

Rockton River Market, Old Settlers Park,  200 E. Hawick St., Rockton, weekly on Wednesday 4-8 p.m., free admission. Information: 815-624-7625

THROUGH SEPT. 2

A Mysterious & Deadly World – Temporary Exhibit, Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sundays, $10 ages 13 and up, $9 ages 4-12. Museum members free.  Meet over 30 different species of reptiles and amphibians. Examine, explore, and touch these living critters in Burpee Museum’s newest temporary exhibit.

THROUGH SEPT. 13

The Rockford Park District offers free walking tours of public art along the Rock River on select Thursdays starting from the Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., Tours will run on July 12, Aug. 16 and Sept. 13 beginning at 11 a.m. and feature 16 unique sculptures, some of which are works by local artists, and many of which were donated to the Park District. Information: 815-987-8858.

THROUGH SEPT. 14

Music on the Mall, Edgebrook – Outside Mary’s Market, 1639 N. Alpine Rd.,Rockford 6:30-8:30 p.m., free. In the event of inclement weather, Music on the Mall may be cancelled or moved. Information: 815 226-0212

THROUGH SEPT. 28

Rockford City Market, 100 N. Water St., Rockford,  weekly on Fridays starting at 3:30 p.m., free admission. The market features local growers and vendors who sell handmade products, including vegetables, fruit, eggs, meat, cheeses, flowers, herbs, baked goods, wine and prepared food, as well as artisans and vendors with unique offerings. Most vendors originate within 150 miles of Rockford. Information: 815-977-5124

THROUGH SEPT. 30

The Rockford Midwestern Biennial 2018, Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, $7 adults, $3 seniors and students. he 75th presentation of Rockford Art Museum’s juried exhibition, which began in 1913 as an annual showcase of local artists, then expanded eligibility and was known as the Stateline Vicinity Show through 1998. Now a biennial show that surveys new work by contemporary artists across the Midwest, the competition is open to original artwork in any medium created since the last biennial by residents of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, or Wisconsin. Information: 815-968-2787

THROUGH OCT. 26

HCC/Colonial Village Farmers Market, corner of Newburg Road and Alpine Road, Newburg Road Entrance, Rockford, weekly on Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Information: (815-398-8109

JULY 18-25

Jane Eyre, presented By Starlight Theatre at Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Rd.Rockford, $10-$25. Discounts for children, seniors, veterans and educators.

JULY 25-29

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Starlight Theatre, 3301 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford, Wednesday-Saturday, $10-$25, discounts for children, seniors, educators, military. Based on the popular 1988 MGM film, the show features high jinks and hilarity in the French Riveria. The show was nominated for eleven Tony Awards. Information: 815-921-2160.

JULY 27

City by Starlight Haunted Walking Tour, presented By Haunted Rockford, Veterans Memorial Hall and Museum, 211 N. Main St., 7:30-9 p.m., $15 per person payable in advance. Local historian and author Kathi Kresol will tell the ghostly tales of Rockford’s historic places. These stories will include ghastly murders, accidents, and ghostly visits. All proceeds will go to the Veterans Memorial Hall. Information: (815) 871-4239.

Maker Mania Family Friday, Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford,  11 a.m.-3 p.m., $8, free for members and children age 1 and under. Loads of LEGOs, and oodles of building materials will be available to spark creativity. All activities are included with museum admission. Information: (815) 963-6769.

RPS 205 Golf Scramble For Sports, presented By Rockford Public Schools, Aldeen Golf Club & Practice Centre 501, 7th Street, Rockford, 1 p.m., $100 per golfer.  Rockford Public Schools will hold its largest district athletic fundraiser of the year when it hosts the 10th Annual RPS Golf Scramble For Sports. Participants will receive a fun-filled day of lunch, golf, dinner and silent auction at one of the most prestigious courses in the state. Several sponsorship packages are also available. All proceeds benefit the Rockford Sports Coalition and RPS district athletics. Visit rockfordsportscoalition.org or e-mail Emily.tropp@rps205 to register.

JULY 27-29

The Studio Rockford Presents, Guys and Dolls, Rockford University Clark Arts Center,  Maddox Theatre,
5050 East State Street, Rockford, 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 6 p.m. Saturday, 2 pm. Sunday, $10-12 in advance, $12-14 at the door. Jump into the colorful world of underground dice-slinging, glitzy showgirls, and high-stakes romance in one of America’s most enduring musical comedies. Information: (815) 332-2205.

Science Saturday: Winged Wonders, Severson Dells Nature Center,  8786 Montague Road, Rockford, free, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Bats, beetles, and dragonflies, oh my!! Join us for a day all about the animals and insects that fly. What are the benefits and challenges of flying? Explore the science behind flight during this open house style event. Information: (815) 335-2915 or visit www.seversondells.com/science-saturdays/

JULY 28

Japanese Summer Festival, Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Rd., Rockford,  10 a.m.-3 p.m., most activities included with Garden admission. The festival features exhibits, demonstrations and unique performances that appeal to all age groups and helps foster a better understanding of the Japanese culture. Most festival activities are included with garden admission, with a small fee required for tea ceremony participation. Information: (815) 229-9390.

14th Annual Cars on Main, Downtown Pecatonica, 400 Block of Main Street, Pecatonica, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., free. Come for the cars, stay for the food, shops, entertainment and small town charm. There will be a wide variety of classic to modern cars on display. Enter your car for the show, or just check them all out. Awards will be presented at 3:00pm. Information: (815) 978-9530 .

AUG. 3

Jerry Seinfeld, Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, 7 p.m., $50-$150. Seinfeld has been hailed for his uncanny ability to joke about the little things in life that relate to audiences. Information:  815-968-5222.

AUG. 3-5

40th Annual Festa Italiana, presented By Greater Rockford Italian American Association, Boylan High School, 4000 St. Francis Dr., Rockford. Everyone who passes through the gates at Festa Italiana is an “Honorary Italian.” Bring your family for great Italian food and pastries, continuous entertainment, Italian cultural exhibits, souvenirs, bocce tournaments, carnival rides, children’s crafts and much more. Information: (815) 978-3079.

 

–Winnebago County Calendar of Events July 25 – Aug. 3–