Looking for something to do Valentine's Day weekend in Rockford? Check out these 12 events
Got a case of mid-winter cabin fever? We have just the remedy for those of you itching to get out of the house. The second full weekend in February brings us snow sculpting, IceHogs hockey and more.
Illinois Snow Sculpting
What: The 37th annual Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition takes place this weekend. Teams from around the state will compete in Rockford for the right to represent Illinois in the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition in 2024. As many as 50,000 visitors view these massive works of snow art each year.
When: Wednesday through Saturday. Viewing hours are from sunrise to 10:30 p.m.
Where: Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission. Donations are welcome.
For more: https://ilsnowsculpting.com/
Yeti Fest 2023
What: Rockton’s annual celebration of snow, cold and all things winter. Activities include snow sculpting, a yeti scavenger hunt, an adults-only onesie pub crawl and a family-friendly hot cocoa crawl.
When: Wednesday to Saturday
Where: Downtown, Settler’s Park, Village Green Park, Rockton
Cost: Free admission
For more: https://allevents.in/rockton/rockton-yeti-fest-2023/200023805237718
Bleeding Hearts and Scavenged Parts
What: Bleeding Hearts and Scavenged Parts is a group exhibition which explores the strange, fantastic and unsettling art of the grotesque. The grotesque has a long legacy in the chronicles of art history. The philosophical ideas of Plato and Plotinus on horror versus beauty in the classical era inspired a resurgence in grotesque drawing and painting during the Renaissance. The artworks on display will include distorted forms, caricatured expressions, and misplaced body parts, with a spirit of mischief and wonder, invoking empathy and disgust and a bit of humor.
When: 5 to 10 p.m. Friday
Where: The Art Collective, 317 Market St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission
For more: https://www.317art.org/
Old Dominion: No Bad Vibes Tour
What: Old Dominion has emerged as one of Nashville’s most successful post-country bands. The band has had eight No. 1 singles at country radio, over one billion on-demand streams, multiple platinum and gold single certifications and headlined arenas and amphitheaters around the world.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
For ticket prices and more: https://thebmocenter.com/
Dance Your Heart Out
What: Warm your heart and body with an evening celebrating love. Groove with the guidance of line dancing with Jen, or simply enjoy the music. You can also choose to take a walk on our candlelit prairie path, make valentines cards to take home and enjoy treats and drinks (non-alcoholic).
When: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Nature at the Confluence, 306 Dickop St., South Beloit
Cost: $7 per person. Free admission for students.
For more: https://natureattheconfluence.com/
Inscape Collective Valentine Pop-Up Workshop
What: Inscape Collective is sharing the love with a one-of-a-kind valentine workshop designed to awaken your creative spirit. The workshop will be led by local artist Jane McMillan, who has been an active art and design instructor for more than 20 years. Workshop participants will work with both printmaking and painting mediums while exploring color, texture and 3-D forms.
When: 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Inscape Collective, 201 7th St., Rockford
Cost: $20 covers all art supplies.
For more: https://www.inscapecollective.org/
Read Between the Wines
What: Rockford independent bookstore Maze Books will host a Valentine’s Day themed literature and wine pairing event. Attendees will try six to eight different selections of wines, each paired with short literary pieces on the subject of love, written by notorious authors, and read by local writers.
When: 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Maze Books, 117 S. 3rd St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission
For more: https://www.maze-books.com/
Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts
What: The music of Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts draws force from the prime years of Western-influenced rock music and classic ‘60s soul. Singer/Songwriter Kelly Steward will also perform.
When: 8 p.m. Kelly Steward, 9 p.m. Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts, 11 p.m. D.J. Acid After Party
Where: Prairie Street Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., Rockford
Cost: $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
For more: https://psbrewingco.com/
IceHogs hockey
What: The Rockford IceHogs host the Milwaukee Admirals.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
For ticket prices and more: https://thebmocenter.com/
Valentine’s Day Dinner for two at The Top
What: Make this Valentine’s Day weekend one to remember by dining at one of Rockford’s premier restaurants. The special three-course shared dinner features Chilean sea bass, ossobuco and two glasses of wine.
When: 6 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Valentine’s Day.
Where: The Top Lounge and Rooftop Deck at Embassy Suites, 416 S. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $100 per couple
For more: https://esrockford.com/
KidVentures: The World of Extremophiles
What: There are some living organisms on earth that can live and survive in some pretty extreme conditions; the heat of a volcanic vent or the frozen landscape of Antarctica. Learn how other creatures can help human engineers. KidVentures in science are one-day classes that pack a punch of learning and fun suitable for ages 3-6.
When: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday
Where: Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $12 for members, $14 for nonmembers.
For more: https://burpee.org/
Inspiration on the Creek with Jodi Beach & Jim McDowell
What: Inspiration on the Creek welcomes Stateline celebrities Jodi Beach and Jim McDowell, with Jodi's exquisite vocal interpretations and piano stylings accompanied by Jim's virtuosic bass playing.
When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Spring Creek Church, 4500 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
Cost: Free admission, free will donations during the show.
For more: https://www.springcreekucc.org/
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: 12 things to do Valentine's Day weekend in Rockford, Illinois
