Baseball, brats, banjos & big bands: 9 things to do this weekend in the Rockford area
ROCKFORD — The dog days of summer have arrived but there is still a variety of family-friendly events and activities to choose from across the Rock River Valley.
This fourth weekend of July brings us Brat Days, big band music and more.
Alpine Kiwanis Brat Days
What: The 51st annual Alpine Kiwanis Brat Days is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser. All of the proceeds are given directly to local nonprofits and area youth for scholarships. For the past 50 years, The Alpine Kiwanis Club has given more than $2,000,000 to support the local community.
When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: U-Haul, 5909 E. State St., Rockford & Blain’s Farm & Fleet, 7300 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park. Special “Take your Brat to Work” drive-thru only at Blain’s Farm & Fleet from 6 to 10 a.m. Friday.
Cost: Tickets are $7 in advance and $8 on site and include choice of Johnsonville Brat, All-Beef Johnsonville Hot Dog, Meatless Barbeque, Vegan/Vegetarian Brat and Mrs. Fisher's Chips plus Pepsi product or water.
For more: https://www.alpinekiwanis-il.com/
Mark Dvorak presented by Inscape Collective
What: Musician Mark Dvorak is a master of the acoustic guitar and five-string banjo. A former member of Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk, Dvorak has produced several CDs, including a collection of songs by the Weavers and an album especially for young listeners, “Old Songs & New People” which won the Parents’ Choice Gold Medal Award. Concert-goers will have an opportunity to shop the unique wares of Inscape Collective beginning at 6:00 p.m. before the concert. The store will also be open until 9:00 p.m. after the performance. The concert is held in cooperation with Rockford Urban Ministries.
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Inscape Collective, 201 7th St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission
For more: https://www.inscapecollective.org/
Cedar Bluff Cemetery by Twilight Tour
What: Join Haunted Rockford for this midsummer cemetery tour. Guides will share stories that highlight the darker side of Rockford’s history, including murders and tragic accidents. This is a walking tour so please wear comfortable shoes. Water and bug spray will be provided.
When: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Cedar Bluff Cemetery, 1200 Rural St., Rockford
Cost: Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the event.
For more: https://www.hauntedrockford.com/events/
"Disaster!" at Starlight
What: It's 1979, and New York's hottest A-listers are lining up for the opening of a floating casino and discotheque. Also attending is a faded disco star, a sexy nightclub singer with her eleven-year-old twins, a disaster expert, a feminist reporter, an older couple with a secret, a pair of young guys who are looking for ladies, an untrustworthy businessman and a nun with a gambling addition. What begins as a night of boogie fever quickly changes to panic as the ship succumbs to multiple disasters, such as earthquakes, tidal waves, and infernos. As the night turns into day, everyone struggles to survive and, quite possibly, repair the love that they've lost...or at least escape the killer rats.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday
Where: Starlight Theater at Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford
For more: https://www.rockvalleycollege.edu/Community/Theatre/index.cfm
The Girls of Summer
What: The Studio Rockford presents an original production "The Girls of Summer", which is based on our local and historic Rockford Peaches baseball organization.
When: 6 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. & 6 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Same schedule for the weekend of July 29-31.
Where: Rockford University Clark Arts Center, 5050 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: Adults: $13 in advance, $15 at the door; Children (12-under): $11 in advance, $13 at the door; Seniors (55+): $11 in advance, $13 at the door. Seating is general admission.
For more: https://www.thestudiorockford.com/productions/currentseason/
Music on the Mall
What: Featuring the Joel Baer Big Band, a 17-piece band playing Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr. and other big band artists.
When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Edgebrook Center Court, 1641 N. Alpine Road, Rockford
Cost: Free admission
For more: https://edgebrookshops.com/events/music-on-the-mall/
Chow-Down Food Truck Fest
What: This is a multicultural foodie event to showcase the diversity in the 815. Food trucks from throughout the region will be on hand. This event benefits two local nonprofits; MASA and Miracle Mile Rockford.
When: 2 to 9 p.m. Saturday
Where: Old Magna lot, 3923 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: $1 donation per person
For more: https://www.tamalefest815.com/chow-down-food-truck-festival
Buchanan Street Stroll
What: Buchanan Street Stroll is a fun outdoor event where the city brings live music, food trucks, kid-friendly activities, and vendors of all kinds to downtown Belvidere.
When: 5-9 p.m. Saturday
Where: 200 Buchanan St., Belvidere
Cost: Free
For more: https://www.belviderechamber.com/buchanan-street-strolls
'God’s Not Here'
What: Never Submit Entertainment and Richcolor Productions presents the World Premiere Red Carpet Screening for "God's Not Here," the first ever faith-based anthology, featuring three stories about forgiveness, love and hope.
When: 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday
Where: Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $20 for standard, $30 for VIP
For more: https://www.gorockford.com/event/gods-not-here-world-premiere-red-carpet-event/22733/
Ken DeCoster covers business news and features. Contact him at 815-987-1391, kdecoster@rrstar.com or @DeCosterKen.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Things to do in Rockford, IL for July 23-24 weekend: Baseball & banjos
