By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — There’s a wide array of winter-themed activities this week in the region: From Winter Dazzle Day to the Rockford North End Hot Chocolate Crawl and the Backcountry Film Festival.
But there’s much more in store, too.
Here are recommendations for 11 things you could do this week in the Rockford area. You can always peruse more on our events page.
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Get in sync with world class skaters
The U.S. Figure Skating 2023 Midwestern and Pacific Coast Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships take over the BMO Center from Tuesday through Sunday in Rockford.
Skates of all ages will compete for a spot at the 2023 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships, which are held March 1-4 in Peoria.
Quick facts:
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
When: Tuesday, Jan. 24 through Sunday, Jan. 29
Admission: $20 for all-day ticket on Tuesday and Wednesday; $35 for all-day ticket on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; $20 for all-day ticket on Sunday
Tickets and more info: thebmocenter.com
Watch the Backcountry Film Festival
Severson Dells Nature Center will host the Backcountry Film Festival, which screens stories of outdoor stewardship, backcountry adventure and snow cinema from athletes, activists, adventurers and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Quick facts:
Where: Rockford Public Library Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27
Admission: Tickets purchased by Thursday are $15 for Severson Dells members and $18 for general admission. The at-the-door price is $17 for members and $20 general admission.
Tickets and info: seversondells.com/calendar/filmfestival
See an Abba tribute at the Coronado
Mania, an Abba tribute band that formed in 1999, is bringing its worldwide tour to Rockford.
Quick facts:
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. showtime Friday, Jan. 27
Tickets and info: coronadopac.org/events/mania-the-abba-tribute
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Celebrate the Lunar New Year
A new event at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens debuts this year celebrating the Lunar New Year.
Lunar New Year is observed through many Asian cultures and celebrates the start of the lunisolar calendar. This event, called Nicholas at Night: Lunar New Year, will incorporate a variety of Lunar New Year traditions with activities for all ages.
Quick facts:
Where: Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St., Rockford
When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28
Registration: nicholasconservatory.com/activities
Get dazzled by winter in South Beloit
Nature at the Confluence will host a day filled with multiple indoor and outdoor activities on Saturday for Winter Dazzle Day. There is indoor story time, a grapevine wreath workshop, snowshoes, s’mores, a self-guided scavenger hunt, crafts and hot mulled cider. The event coincides with Beloit Winterfest.
Quick facts:
Where: Nature at the Confluence, 306 Dickop St., South Beloit.
When: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28
Info: beloitrecreation.
Warm up with a hot chocolate crawl
Businesses along the city’s North End will have hot chocolate creations and shopping specials throughout the day on Saturday as part of the second annual Rockford North End Hot Chocolate Crawl. Offerings range from adult hot chocolate drinks with alcohol at Mulligans, The Olympic Tavern, and The Norwegian to the homemade hot cocoa kits at Rooted and Wonderland Sweets. There were also be several prize packages and a “crawl card” that allows you to get a stamp at each place you visit.
Quick facts:
When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28
Where: Participating businesses include Stockyard Burger Rock Bar, Whiskey’s Roadhouse, Rooted, Village Green North Main, Rockford Family Dental, The Norwegian, Mulligan’s and The Olympic Tavern.
More info: Facebook event page
Contact: rockfordnorthend@gmail.
Related: Rockford North End Hot Chocolate Crawl returns this weekend
Vegan eats, meaty laughs
Comedian Brooks Sullivan headlines Pig Minds Brewing Co. Comedy night on Saturday. The show also features Rockford-area stand-ups Kevin Wood and Kevin Haas, and it’s hosted by comedian Michael Palmendari.
Quick facts:
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28
Where: Pig Minds Brewing Co.,
Info: Facebook event page
Admission: Free
See the Wienermobile at Schnucks
The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile is coming to Schnucks on East State Street on Saturday.
Quick facts:
When: 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 28
Where: Schnucks, 6410 E. State St., Rockford
Go behind the scenes with the Ski Broncs
The Loves Park Ski Broncs will offer a behind-the-scenes look at how they prepare off the water for show season. You can see the Ski Broncs trademark pyramids built indoors and learn more about joining the team.
Quick facts:
Where: Loves Park City Hall, 100 Heart Blvd., Loves Park
When: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29
Info: Email Brittany.boyd74@yahoo.com
Hit the ice at Frosty Fridays
Frosty Fridays discount public ice-skating sessions return this week at Carlson Ice Arena.
Quick facts:
Where: Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park
When: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27
Info: rockfordparkdistrict.org/publicskate
See the train before it leaves the station
The Sinnissippi Station Model Train Exhibit is open for its final weekend of the year. It runs noon-8 p.m. this Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. 3 p.m. Sunday at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St.
The exhibit features nine structures modeled after Rockford landmarks, as well as other historical structures.
Quick facts:
Where: Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St.
When: Reoccurring through Jan. 29
More info: nicholasconservatory.com/sinnissippi-station
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas