Winnebago County Calendar of Events

Chronicle Media staff

 Saturday’s Ballpark Ale Fest is a craft beer festival that combines America’s favorite pastime with America’s favorite craft beers. The second annual fest will feature over 60 American craft beers, a minor league baseball game, live music, two food trucks and favorite ballpark foods.

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

 

JUNE 1-4

 

Rockford Town Fair

Rockford Speedway

9572 Forest Hills Rd., Loves Park

6-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday

$1 admission, $5 parking

The fair is a four-day entertainment experience featuring a full midway, complete with rides, games and great “fair” food and drinks, fun and exciting entertainment for all ages. Information: (855) 821-9211.

 

JUNE 2

 

Exhibit Preview Night – Bruce Munro: LIGHT

Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens

1354 N. 2nd St. Rockford

5:30 p.m.

Price Dinner reception – $100 per person, $750 table of 8.

Dessert reception only – $35 members, $40 non-members.

Exclusive perspective of the exhibit from the artist, Bruce Munro. In-formation and registration:(815) 969-6036 or email joyweyrauch@rockfordparkdistrict.org.

 

First Fridays

Art, Music, Food and Shopping in Downtown Rockford

various art galleries, shops and music venues

Each month downtown art galleries, shops, music and theater venues work together to stay open late providing great new art, music and goods. Visit the website for a complete schedule. Infor-mation: (779) 537-5319/

 

Shop the Blocks in Downtown Rockford

River District Downtown Rockford

3 p.m.-8 p.m. through Sept. 1.

Shop the Blocks invigorates downtown again this summer on the first Friday of each month through September. Businesses encompassing the downtown area will bring their businesses outside to offer sidewalk sales and alfresco dining.

 

Music on the Mall, presented by Edgebrook

6:30 p.m., Fridays through Sept. 15.

Local musicians will be performing their latest tunes for you to enjoy. This special night will be hosted by Mary’s Market and located right outside their café. Food and drinks from Mary’s Market will be available. Seating is limited so bringing your own chair is encouraged. Information: (815) 394-0765 or visit www.edge-brookshops.com/events/music-on-the-mall/

 

JUNE 2-4

 

41st Annual Glitzy Garage Sale

Womanspace

3333 Maria Linden Dr., Rockford

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday.

Shop this mega-sale with seventeen departments, including an air conditioned boutique featuring designer clothing, jewelry and accessories. Over 3,000 clothing items for men, women, children and infants can be found in the spacious Anjali Pavilion. Much more is available at rock-bottom prices in three tents plus the garage. Information: (815) 877-0118.

 

JUNE 3

 

2.05 Run, presented By Rockford Public Schools

Prairie Street Brewhouse

200 Prairie St. Rockford

6 p.m.

$25 for age 21 and over $20 under age 20

The 4th annual 2.05 Run starts and finishes at the Rockford City Market site and is followed by a social and awards at Prairie Street Brewhouse. Pro-ceeds benefit District 205 athletics and physical education. Information: (815) 966-8960.

 

Ballpark Ale Fest

Rockford Rivets Stadium

4503 Interstate Dr., Loves Park

5:30 p.m.

$45 general admission, $15 designated driver.

The fest is a craft beer festival that combines America’s favorite pastime with America’s favorite craft beers. The second annual fest will feature over 60 American craft beers, a minor lezague baseball game, live music, two food trucks, and your favorite ballpark foods.

 

Free Tennis Summer Kick-Off, presented by Rockford Park District

Forest City Tennis Center

7801 E. State St., Rockford

10 a.m.-noon

Rockford Park District invites current and future tennis enthusiasts for free outdoor tennis fun. Activities will include a free introductory lesson for all ages at the event, free skill level evaluations for lesson placement, and a free Cardio Tennis demonstration for adults from 11 am until noon. Information: (815) 962-7469.

 

Rock River Trail Grand Opening Ceremony

Rotary River Center

1160 S. Riverside Dr., Beloit

10 a.m.

The ceremony offers events held in both Beloit, Wis. and South Beloit, Ill. that celebrate the trail, including paddling, hiking, flying, biking, horseback riding, history and chocolate! In addition, communities along the 320 miles of the trail will also be holding events during the week of June 3-10, 2017.

 

Victorian Murder Mystery

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens

411 Kent St., Rockford

6 p.m.

$25 per person, $20 Tinker members

Rose is hosting her first Victorian Light party! The first house in town to have electricity, all of Rockford’s elite are in attendance. Known for her flair for over-the-top events, everyone has decided to attend, either out of respect for the hostess, curiosity of electricity, or for the chance to socialize with the upper echelon of Rockford society. Information: (815) 964-2424.

 

JUNE 3-4

Garden Fair Weekend – Flowers, Antiques & Art

Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden

2715 S. Main St., Rockford

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday

$8 admission, free to Klehm members

Over 100 vendors and guests will be on hand.

 

JUNE 5 – AUGUST 7

 

Messy Mondays

Discovery Center Museum

711 N. Main St. Rockford, IL 61103

Phone (815) 963-6769

Recurring weekly on Mondays 11:00am-3:00pm | Museum hours 10:00am-5:00pm

 Price Included with Discovery Center admission: $8 per person | Free for members and children age one and younger

 

Messy Mondays occur every Monday from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. for ten weeks during the summer. Each week a guest artist presents a workshop on an art technique that is taught to children in several sessions over a 4 hour period. At the end of the session, each child has knowledge of a new technique and an art object to take home with them.  Visit Website for additional information.

 

 

JUNE 6

 

Meet the Author – Craig Hodges, “Long Shot”

 Presented By Barnes & Noble, CherryVale Mall

7200 Harrison Ave. Rockford, IL 61112

Phone (815) 332-3069

Tuesday, 6:00 pm

 

Meet Craig Hodges, an American retired professional baskeball player and current head coach of the Westchester Knicks of the NBA Development League. In this powerful, passionate and captivating memoir, “Long Shot: The Struggles and Triumphs of an NBA Freedom Fighter,” Hodges shares the stories–including encounters with Nelson Mandela, Coretta Scott King, Jim Brown, R. Kelly, Michael Jordan and others–from his lifelong fight for equality for African Americans.

 

JUNE 6 – AUGUST 3

 

Music in the Park • Presented By Rockford Park District

Sinnissippi Park Music Shell

1401 N. 2nd St. Rockford, IL 61107

Phone 815-987-8800

Recurring weekly on Tuesday, Thursday  7:00pm-8:30pm

Free, donations accepted

 

Music in the Park is a free summer outdoor performance series offering a variety of musical performers, styles, and genres on Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 6 to August 3. Arrive early for best seating; ending time is approximate. (No concert on Tuesday, July 4.) Bring a picnic to enjoy, or purchase concession items. Assistive listening equipment is available with ad-vance notice; call 815-987-8800 for info/availability. For the full schedule, rain site info, and inclement weather updates: www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/soundsofsummer.

 

JUNE 7

 

Summer Concert Series 2017

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church

2715 Mulford Rd., Rockford

7 p.m.

The Winnebago H.S. Jazz Band performs. A free-will offering after each performance enhances mu-sic and educational programs at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. Information: (815) 399-5503.

 

Wildflower Walkabout

Kieselburg Forest Preserve

5801 Swanson Rd., Roscoe

free

Come experience the north central Illinois landscape. Walk where flowers carpet the forest floor and birds fill the air. Severson Dells Nature Center and the Natural Land Institute are the organizing agencies of the event, with local groups providing leaders from their organizations. No admission fee, but membership in both or-ganizations is encouraged: www.naturalland.org, www.seversondells.org.