Home Show, Hairball, WWE and more: 14 things to do this weekend in the Rockford area

Ken DeCoster, Rockford Register Star

February 22, 2023 at 6:14 AM·6 min read

Science fiction books are on display on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, at Maze Books in Rockford.

You've come down with a serious case of cabin fever?

The final weekend of February is approaching, meaning spring is not too far behind.

This weekend features a variety of events and activities for the whole family to enjoy, including the Rockford Home Show, IceHogs hockey and a tribute to some of the biggest Rock & Roll acts of the 1980s.

42nd Annual Rockford Home Show

What: What’s new for the home and garden? The Rockford Home Show is an ideal place to shop for new products, services, ideas, concepts and expertise on interior and exterior design.

When: 2 to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

Where: Indoor Sports Center at Mercyhealth Sportscore Two, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park

Cost: $6 for adults, free admission for children 12 and under.

For more: https://showtimeproduction.net/

Hairball

What: Hairball is a Rock & Roll experience you won't soon forget. Vocalists Joe Dandy, Kris Vox and Dave Moody lead the band through a salute to some of the biggest arena acts in the world, including Van Halen, KISS, Motley Crue, Queen, Journey and Aerosmith. The Hairball stage becomes an entirely new rock concert countless times throughout the night.

When: 8 p.m. Friday

Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford

For ticket prices and more: https://coronadopac.org/

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

What: The show is a farcical comedy with witty, quick paced dialogue and situations dealing with love, lovers, mistaken identity, an outrageous parent and a host of unusual comic characters.

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Rockford University Clark Arts Center, Maddox Theater, 5050 E. State St., Rockford

Cost: $12 for adults, $9 for non-Rockford University students and for people 55 and older.

For more: https://www.rockford.edu/artslectures/artgallery/

Flotsam, Jetsam, Lagan and Derelict by Nick Cashmere

What: Nick Cashmere is a Rockford-based artist blending a variety of techniques and sources. Unifying his body of work is a dedication to wood, pyrography, and a heterogeneity of found objects and photographs.

When: Opening reception is 6 to 8 p.m. Friday

Where: Rockford University Clark Arts Center, 5050 E. State St., Rockford

Cost: Free admission

For more: https://www.rockford.edu/artslectures/artgallery/

Rockford Indie Bookstore Crawl

What: Five independent bookstores in Rockford will host a collaborative bookstore crawl. Each store will have sales, raffles and giveaways.

When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: The Book Stall, 1032 Crosby St., Rockford; Drewelow’s House of Books, 2233 Charles St. #C, Rockford; Katie’s Cup, 502 7th St., Rockford; Maze Books, 117 S. 3rd St., Rockford; Toad Hall Books and Records, 2106 Broadway, Rockford.

For more: https://www.maze-books.com/

Black Winter Gala

What: This event is a fundraiser for scholarships established to support the educational pursuits of local Black students. Black Winter is hosted in partnership with Urban Intellectuals, Ald. Gabrielle Torina, State Rep. Maurice West ll, Wabongo Leadership Council and the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois. Money raised from tickets and direct donations will support the scholarships that are administered by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois and Urban Intellectuals. The first $50,000 in donations toward CFNIL-administered scholarships will be matched to inspire your generosity.

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday

Where: Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford

Cost: Tickets start at $75

For more: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-winter-tickets-511965571807

IceHogs

What: The Rockford IceHogs battle the Iowa Wild.

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford

For ticket prices and more: https://icehogs.com/

The Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., is seen on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, in Rockford.

Discovery Town exhibit

What: Discovery Town is a temporary exhibit where children play as they learn about the people and places that make up a community. While in Discovery Town, children can explore a variety of settings including a vet clinic, post office, theater, pizza shop, fire station, airport, classroom, town zoo and town park.

When: The exhibit is open Tuesday through Sunday and runs through May 29.

Where: Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford

Cost: $11 for the public, free for museum members and for children ages 1 and under.

For more: https://www.discoverycentermuseum.org/

2023 Wedding Open House

What: This event is a space for couples to meet with vendors from all over the wedding industry. Information available about florists, venue rentals and more.

When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

Where: Indoor City Market, 116 N. Madison St., Rockford

Cost: $7 in advance, $10 at the door.

For more: http://www.rockfordcitymarket.com/

Dead of Winter: Ghostly Evidence

What: The Society for Anomalous Studies investigated the historic Graham-Ginestra House and is now ready to share information. Haunted Rockford, Society for Anomalous Studies and the Heritage Center are teaming up for this event.

When: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Ethnic Heritage Museum, 1129 S. Main St., Rockford

Cost: $25 per person, tickets must be purchased in advance.

For more: https://www.hauntedrockford.com/events/

A $1.5 million addition to the Cherry Valley Public Library creates new space for youth programs. Library officials celebrated the completion of the addition on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Cherry Valley.

Mini-Golf and Silent Auction at the Library

What: Beat the winter blues by putting through the library on a newly designed nine-hole miniature golf course and grab some food and refreshments along the way. Bid on a huge variety of gift baskets and items in the silent auction that will culminate on Sunday evening.

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday

Where: Cherry Valley Public Library, 755 E. State St., Cherry Valley

Cost: Free admission

For more: https://www.cherryvalleylib.org/wpcherryvalley/

The Blooze Brothers

What: The tribute band The Blooze Brothers, featuring Joliet Jake and his brother Elwood, will host a night of the most iconic Motown, R&B, and Soul music of all time, as well as a few current hits mixed in. Opening act, Strung Out, will perform songs from the 1970s.

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: Tebala Event Center, 7910 Newburg Road, Rockford

Cost: $18

For more: https://www.tebalaeventcenter.com/

Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour

What: Dance, sing, and learn with Blippi and special guest Meekah as they discover what makes different cities unique and special. The show will feature monster trucks, excavators, and garbage trucks galore.

When: 2:30 p.m. Sunday

Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford

For ticket prices and more: https://coronadopac.org/

Rey Mysterio acknowledges his fans before the start of his match on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford.

WWE: Road to WrestleMania Supershow

What: Featured matches include Drew McIntyre vs. Karrion Kross with Scarlett, Matt Riddle vs. U.S. Champion Seth Rollins and more.

When: 5 p.m. Sunday