Rockford's Festival of Lights returns for another year of free, pandemic-safe holiday fun
ROCKFORD — The pandemic-safe Festival of Lights returns for a 32nd year starting Friday night inside Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. Second St.
Featuring more than 70 lighted displays and funded through donations, the drive-thru event is a Rockford staple and holiday tradition that attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year.
Among the notable displays is the Comfort 1st Insulation & Energy Solutions Inc. snowman, that shoots "snow" into the air. Creators of the display say it has been upgraded for 2021.
Previously: 'Quintessential Rockford' holiday event Festival of Lights returns
"This year our goal is to build on last year's success and bring more smiles after another tough year," said Jayke Vallette of Comfort 1st in an email to the Register Star.
The event is organized by the Festival of Lights Committee, which is composed of the same group of volunteers who put on the Rockford Fourth of July fireworks show.
It all starts Friday, the night after Thanksgiving.
Hours
Opening weekend: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday to Sunday.
Next three weeks: 5 to 11 p.m. Dec. 2-5, Dec. 9-12 and Dec. 16-19
Extended hours: 5 to 11 p.m. Dec. 20-23; Open 24 hours Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; 5-11 p.m. Dec. 26; and 5 to midnight New Year's Eve.
Donations
The event is free no matter how many times families drive on through the event. It operates on donations. There is a donation box toward the middle of the route. Or you can donate by visiting 4thandlights.com, or sending a check to Rockford 4th of July Civic Committee, 728 N. Prospect St., Suite 107, Rockford IL, 61107.
Jeff Kolkey: jkolkey@rrstar.com; @jeffkolkey
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford, IL, Festival of Lights: Hours, displays, costs
