Stroll on State debuted in 2013 and has grown each year, attracting an estimated 66,000 people last year.

Ready. Set. Go.

The sprint to Christmas is on with the traditional post-Thanksgiving Black Friday kickoff in the region.

But it all really starts with a bang with Stroll on State in and around downtown Rockford on Saturday night.

Stroll on State debuted in 2013 and has grown each year, attracting an estimated 66,000 people last year.

“Stroll on State has become a wonderful tradition for the community and is something we look forward to throughout the entire year,” said John Groh, president and CEO of the Rockford Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. “Stroll on State is the perfect embodiment of the spirit of Rockford.”

Stroll will cover an area along State, from Main Street to 3rd Street. Rockford’s official Christmas Tree will be located at the corner of West State Street and Wyman Street, adjacent to the Merry & Bright Stage.

Rockford First once again will create an interactive SantaLand experience in two locations. The outdoor SantaLand (that will also include Santa’s reindeer) will be located at the Millennium Fountain on Water Street. The indoor SantaLand will be at Stewart Square and both locations will feature a “Polar Express” theme.

A popular outdoor ice skating rink is back at the Rockford Park District’s Riverview Ice House, 324 N. Madison Street. The indoor ice rink will be available for skating with costumed characters throughout the night and the outdoor synthetic ice rink will be set up near the Trolley Car 36 Barn.

The popular outdoor Holiday Markets, return this year with a familiar twist. The Rockford City Market team has been helping to coordinate the Stroll on State Holiday Markets, so there will be a fun “city market” vibe with the outdoor vendors. A full listing of the event vendors is available at www.strollonstate.com.

Rockford First once again will create an interactive SantaLand experience in two locations. The outdoor SantaLand (that will also include Santa’s reindeer) will be located at the Millennium Fountain on Water Street. The indoor SantaLand will be at Stewart Square and both locations will feature a “Polar Express” theme.

The popular outdoor ice skating rink will be back at the Rockford Park District’s Riverview Ice House, 324 N. Madison Street. The indoor ice rink will be available for skating with costumed characters throughout the night and the outdoor synthetic ice rink will be set up near the Trolley Car 36 Barn.
New attractions included the transformation of  Rockford City Hall into a ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Headquarters. The Hot Chocolate Express will feature a special recipe hot chocolate and sprinkles of marshmallows.

RACVB is once again rolling out an interactive “Plan Your Stroll” experience that can be used on smart phones, tablets and desktop computers.

The web application, available at www.strollonstate.com, will allow attendees to pick what events and attractions they want to attend and to create a personalized SOS map to use at the event.

More information is available at https://www.gorockford.com/stroll-on-state.

Friday events included public skating at Carlson Ice Arena and Sapora Playground in Loves Park while Christmas on the Farm arts and crafts show opens at 2346 Illinois 75 North in Freeport.

And the annual Holiday Festival of Lights opens at 5 p.m. on Friday at Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. 2nd St. with Santa Claus on hand.

In addition to Stroll on State on Saturday, holiday revelers can a performance of Handel’s Messiah, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 200 N. First. Or they can take in The Nutcracker, at  Rockford University’s Maddox Theatre.

Nicholas Conservatory and Garden’s All Glow Express trolley car takes off starting at 4 p.m., beginning at two-week plus holiday run along the Rock River.

— Sprint to Christmas starts this weekend in region —