By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A program that helped create block parties, neighborhood celebrations, food festivals and other events across the city last year will return in 2023.
Forward for Fun is a city of Rockford grant program launched last year as a way to support small businesses and help residents reconnect following two years of pandemic separation. It funded 53 different events in 2022.
“It’s really encouraging more action and involvement throughout our entire city,” Mayor Tom McNamara said. “Bringing people to different parts of town so they can see all that Rockford has to offer.”
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The program provides $140,000 in grants with $10,000 dedicated to each of the city’s 14 wards. It’s funded by money from the federal American Rescue Plan, which provided millions in pandemic relief dollars to the city. Aldermen voted 8-1 on March 6 to continue the program for a second year. Alderwoman Linda McNeely, a Democrat who represents the 13th Ward, voted against the measure.
Last year, the initiative helped fund events such as a parade in the city’s 11th Ward, a new music and movies event series at Lino’s Restaurant, and the first ever Rockford Boxing Classic. The outdoor boxing event, which is held under the Rockford City Market pavilion, will return this year on Aug. 12.
“It brought a whole lot of people downtown that have not historically been coming downtown,” McNamara said. “It was a great event. It was family-friendly. It was free.”
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The city encourages all applicants for grant money to make their events free to attend and work on planning the activity with their alderperson.
The city has not formally opened the application period yet, but you can visit rockfordil.gov/forward-for-fun to download last year’s application and contact your alderperson if you’re interested in applying.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas