Tamale Fest, Urban Farmgirl market and more: 20 things to do in Rockford this weekend
The second weekend of September brings a lot of family fun activities, including the annual Tamale festival and Urban Farmgirl's Main Street Market.
Here's 20 things we found to do this weekend in the Rockford area.
7th Annual Tamale Fest
What: Enjoy this competition to see who has the best Tamales in the 815. The festival brings you food trucks and food vendors from all over the Midwest so you can taste flavors from all over Latin America. There will also be a lowrider show, hopping, jalapeno eating and model pin-up contests. There's also live music throughout the day. This is an event for families and all ages. The event benefits two local nonprofits. Bring cash; ATMs will be available.
When: 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9
Where: 3923 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: $10
For more: tamalefest815.com
Urban Farmgirl’s Main Street Market
What: This market includes shopping, food trucks, live music and more. Main Street Market is an open-air market hosted and owned by Urban Farmgirl. Shop 185 vendors from across the Midwest. VIP and Early Bird shopping tickets are only available in advance.
When: Saturday, Sept. 9
Where: Boone County Fairgrounds, 8791 Illinois 76, Belvidere
Cost: $7 to $30
For more: urbanfarmgirl.com
More: From flea market to storefront: Popular Rockford business celebrates 10 years
Midtown Strong Block Party
What: There will be food trucks, live music, vendor booths, kids grab bags, a fire truck, the Rockford Public Library Bookmobile.
When: Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9
Where: Behind Inscape Collective, 201 Seventh St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission; free tacos for the first 100 attendees
For more: Ruth Jackson 815-988-0713
Oktoberfest Dinner on the Dock
What: Enjoy dinner, drinks and live music at the final Dinner on the Dock of the season. The performer will be Die Musikmeisters, a lively German band.
When: 5-10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7
Where: Prairie Street Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission
For more: 815-277-9427
The Tin Woman
What: After a successful heart transplant, Joy has a second chance at life. So why is she drowning in guilt? Meanwhile, Alice and Hank are still grappling with the sudden, wrenching loss of their son, Jack. When they receive a letter from Joy, unexpected feelings erupt.
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7. Runs through Sept. 24.
Where: Rockford University Clark Arts Center
For more: 815-394-5004
Sock Hop on the Creek
What: Trinadora Rocks and The Vince Chiarelli Band will provide a night full of music and dancing. Windsor Pizza will offer main entrées, finger food and soft drinks, complete with Sock Hop era specials. They accept cash, card and touchless pay. Attendance limited to 250 people. This is a true ‘50s-style sock hop, so, while optional, folks are encouraged to wear their best 50s apparel and dancing socks or Converse sneakers.
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8
Where: Spring Creek Church, 4500 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
Cost: vincentrecords.com
For more: 815-979-1949
Rockford City Market
What: There will be more than 60 local vendors with fresh produce, baked goods, handmade items, jewelry, cheese, honey, and more underneath the pavilion. There will also be food trucks, local breweries and rotating kid's activities. Live music Sept. 8 by Espinosa & Coffey and Lola Blu.
When: 4 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8
Where: East State and Water Streets, downtown Rockford
Cost: Free admission
For more: rockfordcitymarket.com
Annual 8th Ward Multi-Cultural Fall Festival
What: Entertainment includes live music, dancing, a bouncy house for children and more. There will be Mexican, Korean and Middle Eastern food available.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9
Where: The Five Points Shopping Center parking lot, in front of La Esquinita de Oro, between Charles & Broadway at Parkview.
Cost: Free admission, activities and entertainment
For more: 815-399-5026
Toad Hall’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
What: Celebrate this store’s 50 years in business with exclusive merchandise, live music, sales and a food truck.
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9
Where: Toad Hall Books & Records, 2106 Broadway, Rockford
For more: 815-226-1259
More: Rockford record store celebrates 50 years of nostalgia
Walk with U Guided Walk
What: Join a health care professional from UW Health for a guided walk. This event is open to all ages. Leashed dogs are welcome.
When: 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9
Where: Hononegah Forest Preserve, 80 Hononegah Road, Rockton
Cost: Free
For more: 815-877-6100
Winnebago Cemetery: A Walk-through History
What: Take a guided tour with the Winnebago Community Historical Society to learn about six of the earliest settler families in Winnebago Township and the cemetery's Civil War Soldier monument. Enjoy ice cream and other refreshments and browse WCHS merchandise.
When: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9
Where: Winnebago Cemetery, 2824 Westfield Road, Winnebago
Cost: $5; free for ages 12 and younger
For more: 815-222-9994
Yaniv Attar’s Rockford Symphony Orchestra Debut
What: This opening night performance celebrates Yaniv Attar’s first concert as Music Director. The program will open with a short and very energetic overture by Canadian composer John Estacio, “Frenergy,” a combination of the words Frantic and Energy. Then three soloists will participate in Beethoven’s Triple Concerto. The program will culminate with Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 1.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $10 to $66
For more: 815-965-0049
More: Rockford Symphony Orchestra taps new music director after multi-year search
Do Something Grand
What: Discovery Center Museum will be helping children celebrate their grandparents by providing special projects children can create as gifts to commemorate National Grandparents Day, which is Sunday.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9
Where: Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: Free with $10 admission
For more: 815-963-6769
Autumn Soiree
What: Gather with the Midway Village Museum along Main Street in the historic Victorian Village as the museum celebrates the fall season with food, cocktails, and dancing to live music. There will also be live auctions and wine pulls. Rockford's Greenfire Restaurant will provide the sit-down meal. This fundraiser is to support the educational programming at Midway Village, Rockford's History Museum. Pre-registration required.
When: 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9
Where: Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford
For more: midwayvillage.com
Pooch-a-Palooza 2
What: Lou Bachrodt Auto Mall is teaming up with Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary and Paws Humane Society to help animals find homes. Cats and dogs will be on the showroom floor for a meet and greet with your family. Adoption fees during the event will be covered by Lou Bachrodt. Canine Crunchery will be here with goodies; Forest City Dog Training will have tips and demonstrations. If you’d prefer to donate, drop-off dog and cat toys, leashes, puppy pads, Purina dry foods, paper towels and more all month long. When you donate, you'll get a chance to win a basket filled with goodies from Bark on Mulford.
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9
Where: Lou Bachrodt Auto Mall, 7070 CherryVale N. Blvd., Rockford
For more: Pooch-a-Palooza on Facebook
Restyle the Runway Fall Fashion Show
What: In collaboration with Tad More Tailoring, this event will feature re-styled and re-purposed used clothing generously donated by our community. The event showcases the importance of cutting back on fast fashion purchasing and making fashion a much more sustainable industry. The event also includes a luncheon, shopping of donated items, an art exhibit and sale featuring artists working with used textiles, plus on-site styling provided by Tad More Tailoring. The event is hosted by Tad More Tailoring and Womanspace of Rockford.
When: 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept.9
Where: Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford
For more: Tad More Tailoring, 779- 423-1234
Fall Used Book Sale
What: Stop by any time during the library’s open hours for fiction, mysteries, biographies, home and garden, history, non-fiction and more. Fill a bag for $3 on Saturday, Sept. 16 and Sunday, Sept. 17.
When: Saturday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept. 17
Where: Cherry Valley Public Library, 755 E. State St., Cherry Valley
For more: 815-332-5161
Flannel Jam Country Confidential
What: Expect to hear an acoustic set from two touring country artists plus a question and answer session with talent hosted by Q98.5’s, Lil’ Zim, JB Love and Johnny V. The focus of the event is to bring a memorable evening and spotlight St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Easter Seals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford.
When: 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $54 to $254
For more: coronadopac.org
Archaeology Sunday
What: Find out what happens when archaeologists go on a dig. Learn about the historic and prehistoric excavations that have been done. Discover how and why archaeologists know where to dig, how to set up excavation units, dig in standard levels and collect artifacts. Participate in the washing, sorting and identification of the artifacts collected.
When: 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10
Where: Macktown Living History Educational Center, 2221 Freeport Road, Rockton
Cost: Free; donations encouraged
For more: macktownlivinghistory.com
Woodsong Summer Concert Series
What: Hypnotized is a tribute group performing in homage to Fleetwood Mac, one of the bestselling rock and roll bands of all time. Klehm’s Woodsong Concerts are open-lawn style events held in the Fountain Garden. There are no reserved seats; attendees should bring their own blankets, chairs or other seating. Attendees are welcome to bring their own food and drink to enjoy in a responsible manner prior to and during the concert.
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10
Where: Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $15
For more: 815-965-8146
Kathi Edwards is a freelance correspondent.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Tamale Fest, Urban Farmgirl market among 20 things to do in Rockford
