Shop the Blocks will be held in Downtown Rockford. on Aug. 5. from 3-8 p.m. (Photo courtesy of Downtown Rockford)

AUG. 4

Nature Poetry & Prose, Nygren Wetland Preserve, 3190 Rockton Road, Rockton, 6:30-8:30 p.m., free but registration required. Natural Land Institute presents Nature Poetry & Prose at their privately owned Nygren Wetland Preserve. Guests will enjoy a lovely and relaxing summer evening under a big tent overlooking the prairie wildflowers while listening to writers read their nature themed poetry and prose. Complimentary refreshments will be served. Information and registration: (815) 964-6666

Pokemon Go Downtown!, Rockford Public Library, 215 N. Wyman St., Rockford, 4-5:30 p.m., free. For all ages. Learn about local art and landmarks of downtown Rockford in your quest to catch ’em all. This will be a 1.6 kilometer guided walking tour where we explore the history and habitats of several Pokéstops and gyms downtown in the game Pokémon Go. Add new entries to your Pokédex while stocking up on goodies at the Pokéstops and learning about Rockford!

AUG. 5-7

Festa Italiana,   Boylan High School, 4000 St. Francis Dr., Rockford, Friday 5-11 p.m., Saturday noon-11 p.m., Sunday noon-9 p.m., $5 per person, veterans and activity duty personnel and children under 12 free. Everyone who passes through the gates is an “Honorary Italian.” Bring your family to the 38th annual Festa Italiana for great Italian food and pastries, continuous entertainment, Italian cultural exhibit, souvenirs, Bocce tournaments, carnival rides, children’s crafts and much more.

AUG. 5

Finding Cory Family Friday, Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m., free with museum admission. Pull on your scuba mask and swim through the exhibits to find our fishy friends. Create underwater art, select a shell, fashion a jellyfish, and more. Dress to get wet as you paint a turtle, toss a fish, make a splash, and experiment with water on this oceanic adventure day at Discovery Center Museum. Information: (815) 963-6769

Shop the Blocks in Downtown Rockford, Downtown Rockford, 3-8 p.m., monthly on first Friday through September. This year, businesses encompasing the downtown area will bring their businesses outside to offer sidewalk sales and alfresco dining. Additionally, a few select parking spaces will be turned into temporary interactive open-air “parklets”

Tinker’s Hukilau, Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens, Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden, 2715 S Main St., Rockford. Tinker’s Hukliau takes place at Klehm Arboretum and celebrates a part of the Tinker family’s unusual past! Robert Tinker, former Rockford mayor and builder of the Cottage, was born in the Hawaiian Islands and visited throughout his life. The museum celebrates this part of Mr. Tinker’s history and is proud of the culture contained in the Cottage. Information: (815) 964-2424

AUG. 6

Barks and Books, Rockford Public Library, 215 N. Wyman St., Rockford, free. The Library is “going to the dogs” this summer with a special program involving the service dogs from Quansa Kennels, Inc. The program will begin with a demonstration of Service Animals and then each child will have an opportunity to read with the dogs in a small group. Register at www.rockfordpubliclibrary.org.

Kar Korner World Famous Figure 8 Trailer Race of Destruction, Rockford Speedway, 9572 Forest Hills Rd., Loves Park, 7:07 p.m., $5-$24. If you’ve seen a Figure 8 Trailer Race before, you know what the hype is about. If you’ve never seen one for yourself, it’s time to change that. Cars, trucks and vans will tow boats, campers and travel trailers in a rolling demo derby along the treacherous Figure 8 track. There will be big hits, tons of carnage and thrills galore…and no winner ’til the last trailer trails!’. Information: (815) 633-1500

Mud Vollyball Tournament, Riverside Park, Roscoe, 8:30 a.m., $200 entry per team. The 34th annual Mud Volleyball tournament to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation will be held at Riverside Park in Roscoe. Over 300 teams will participate in the double elimination tournament. Information, visit www.roscoemudvolleyball.com, or call Ben Slack at 815-964-2689 ext. 101.

AUG. 7

Strings on Sunday Picnic Series, Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Rd., Rockford, 4:30 p.m., free with regular admission, free for members. Enjoy chamber-style music in the Gardens with a contemporary twist. Strings on Sunday is a perfect way for family and friends to wind down the weekend in an uplifting outdoor setting. 2016 Performances feature the music of theTurtle Creek Chamber Orchestra. Information: (815) 229-9390

AUG. 8

First Aid and CPR for Teens, Rockford Public Library, Auditorium, 215 N. Wyman St., Rockford, noon-6 p.m. For ages 13-19. Be prepared and confident to handle emergencies. This six-hour long American Red Cross course at the Rockford Public Library teaches skills that participants need to know to give immediate care to a suddenly injured or ill person until more advanced medical personnel arrive. Register at www.rockfordpubliclibrary.org.

— Winnebago County events —