Rockford residents to get sneak peek of travel show during preview party
ROCKFORD — A syndicated television show focusing on Midwest travel destinations will feature the Forest City in an upcoming episode.
John McGivern’s Main Streets’ half-hour examination of all things Rockford is scheduled to air at 10 a.m. Sunday on WQRF-FOX 39.
A preview party is planned for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St. Doors open at 5 p.m. The event is free of charge and seating is on a first come, first serve basis.
McGivern and the show’s producer, Lois Maurer, will be on hand to answer questions and discuss their encounters with the locals, including Mayor Tom McNamara and Cheap Trick members Rick and Daxx Nielsen.
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McGivern, a Milwaukee-based TV host, actor and comedian, said he and his crew spent about a week in Rockford last summer and explored some of the city’s landmarks and gathering spots.
There were also visits to unique businesses, including Mrs. Fisher’s Potato Chips, 1231 Fulton Ave.
“Just the history and how long they’ve been around and how important they are to that neighborhood and that community,” McGivern said. “That was great.”
The production crew's arrival in the area coincided with the massive fire at the Chemtool plant in Rockton.
“As we’re driving to Rockford, we were like ‘What the hell is that thing,’” McGivern said. “In fact, it really affected our next two days of shooting because of cancellations. One of those was West Rock Wake Park at Levings Lake.”
John McGivern’s Main Streets debuted Jan. 30 in 10 markets in the upper Midwest.
Previous episodes featured Dubuque, Iowa; Green Lake, Wisconsin and South Haven, Michigan.
“The show is really about celebrating a community of any size and finding that celebration through the eyes and the words of the people who call that place home,” he said.
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McGivern most recently hosted the syndicated travel show Around the Corner with John McGivern, which focused on cities, towns and rural areas in Wisconsin.
The show’s nine season run ended in 2020.
Ken DeCoster: kdecoster@rrstar.com; @DeCosterKen
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Nordlof Center to host sneak peek of travel tv show on Rockford IL
