Screw City Beer Fest, Tamale Fest, Cycle on 2nd and more: 16 things to do in Rockford
ROCKFORD — The second weekend in September offers a variety of events and activities in the Rock River Valley for children and adults alike.
There are festivals, a block party, a bike tour and plenty of music.
Prost at Prairie Street: An Oktoberfest Celebration
What: Prost on Prairie Street is a brand new addition to the Dinner on the Dock lineup to help close out the summer season.
When: 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday
Where: Prairie Street Brewing Company, 200 Prairie St., Rockford
For more:https://psbrewingco.com/
Four Fridays in the 14th Ward
What: Live music featuring the Vince Chiarelli Band plus an outdoor showing of “The Majestic.”
When: 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Lino’s, 5611 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission
For more:https://linos815.com/
Roscoe Lions Club Fall Festival
What: The Roscoe Lions Club hosts the village's annual Fall Festival, featuring amusement rides, live music, parades, vendors, a raffle and food.
When: 5 to 10 p.m. Friday; 12 to 10 p.m. Saturday; 12 to 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Leland Park, 5727 Broad St., Roscoe
Cost: Free admission
For more: https://www.roscoelionsclubil.com/
Good Vibrations: Songs of the 60s
What: Rockford University Performing Arts presents a musical tour through the groovy 1960s. Celebrating the folk/rock music of the decade, “Good Vibrations” features songs of The Supremes, The Beatles, Leslie Gore, Jefferson Airplane and more. Broadway selections from Camelot, Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret, and Hair are also in the line-up.
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday & Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Rockford University Maddox Theater, 5050 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: $12 for adults, $9 for students
For more: https://www.ticketor.com/rockforduniversity/upcomingevents?PageId=169412
Keyboard Magic featuring Margaret Dean and Bob Rub
What: Keyboard Magic features two of Rockford foremost keyboard professionals. Their piano and organ music features exciting duets and fun music for the entire family. The concert will also feature the St. Mark Ringers handbell ensemble.The music covers all styles, from Gershwin to Disney, and will thrill concert goers of all ages.
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: St. Mark Lutheran Church Sanctuary, 675 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford
Cost: Free admission
For more: https://stmarklc.com/
Legends, Myths and Mayhem Along the Rock River
What: Haunted Rockford’s own Kathi Kresol and Sara Bowker have been researching ghost stories, true crimes, and odd tales of the local area for almost two decades. Their latest project will feature legends and myths Kathi has collected about the spooky side of the Rock River Valley. The tales will feature stories of phantom hitch-hikers, haunted cemeteries, and vengeful spirits.
When: 7 to 10 p.m. Friday
Where: Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens, 411 Kent St., Rockford
Cost: $25 per person, tickets must be purchased in advance
For more: https://www.hauntedrockford.com/event/legends-myths-and-mayhem-along-the-rock-river/
Bubble Festival at Discovery Center Museum
What: Professional bubble artist Ben Jimenez will thrill children and adults alike with his 30 minute bubble show, which includes stunts, bubble science facts and audience participation.
When: Shows begin at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday. Morning shows are geared toward young children while afternoon shows are designed for elementary school age children and older.
Where: The Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $3 for members, $5 for the public, free to children ages 1 and younger. Admission to the museum is an additional $10.
For more: https://www.discoverycentermuseum.org/
Midtown Block Party
What: Inscape Collective hosts the Midtown Block Party featuring live music, children’s activities, food trucks and baseball trivia. Many Inscape artisans will have their work available for sale.
When: 12 to 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: 201 7th St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission
For more: https://www.inscapecollective.org/
Tamale Fest
What: The festival features music, vendors, a tamale competition, a lowrider show and a Latina Model Contest.
When: 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: 3923 E. State St., Rockford, next to Don Carter Lanes.
Cost: $10 per person. Proceeds from the festival go to Mexican Americans Saliendo Adelante and Miracle Mile Business District Association.
For more: https://www.tamalefest815.com/tamale-fest-2021
‘The Outsider’, presented by Artists Ensemble Theater
What: Ned Newley never wanted to be governor. He's terrified of public speaking; his polls are sinking fast. His Chief of Staff is convinced that his boss is doomed to lose the election. But political consultant Arthur Vance has a plan. Don’t miss this satire that skewers politics and celebrates democracy.
When: Sept. 8 through Sept. 25: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays (Sept. 24, 4 p.m. only); 2 p.m. Sundays
Where: Rockford University Clark Arts Center, Cheek Theater, 5050 E. State St., Rockford
For more: https://artistsensemble.org/
Music on the Mall
What: Performance by Swingbilly RFD
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/
Rockford City Market
What: Local makers, growers, artists, and bakers will feature their wares underneath the Rockford City Market Pavilion. There are two local breweries on site pouring beer, a Main Stage area with a local band, and an Acoustic Stage area with a local performer. The pavilion and two of the surrounding streets are lined with vendors and food trucks, and City Market partners with local nonprofits and organizations to host kids’ activities.
When: 4 to 7:30 p.m. Fridays through September
Where: Water Street at East State Street
Cost: Free admission
For more: http://www.rockfordcitymarket.com/
Screw City Beer Festival
What: An outdoor beer festival featuring regional breweries and local food along the banks of the Rock River.
When: 12 to 4 p.m., Saturday
Where: Riverview Ice House, 324 N. Madison St., Rockford
Cost: $55 per ticket. This event is limited to 1,500 persons and is sold out.
For more: https://www.screwcitybeerfest.com/termsconditions
Light Your Fire 5K Run/Walk
What: The 5K event begins near the main pavilion of Spencer Park and goes through Belvidere Park before winding its way back to Spencer Park. Proceeds from this event benefit OSF St. Anthony Medical Center's burn unit, Illinois Fire Safety Alliance and Boone County Fire Protection District #2.
When: 9 a.m. Sunday
Where: Spencer Park, 899 Appleton Road, Belvidere
Cost: $30 for ages 16 and older; $15 for ages 6-15; free for children 5 and under.
For more: https://runsignup.com/
Lifescape Senior Expo
What: The Lifescape Senior Expo is a community resource for older adults, caregivers, and families featuring local exhibitors and health screenings including businesses in areas such as healthcare, financial planning, retirement, home improvement and more. The keynote speaker at 12:30 p.m. will be former Chicago Bull and three time NBA champion Bill Wennington.
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Rock Valley College Physical Education Center, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford
For more: https://lifescapeservices.org/lifescape-senior-expo-2022/
Cycle on 2nd
What: The annual Cycle on 2nd event is Rockford's own version of Chicago's Bike the Drive event.
When: 8 to 10 a.m. Sunday
Where: The southbound portion of N. 2nd St. from the Auburn interchange to State St. will be closed to cars and open only to cyclists from 8-10 a.m. Enter the route any time between 8-9:45 a.m. Grab your bike and your family and friends and enjoy some traffic-free cycling.
Cost: Free of charge, no registration is necessary
For more: https://www.ibikerockford.com/cycleon2nd
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: Screw City Beer Festival one 16 things to do in Rockford this weekend
