The countdown to Rockford Day is on. Here are some ways you’ll be able to celebrate the 815
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The countdown is on to the city’s unofficial holiday, and community and business leaders are gearing up for the annual celebration.
Rockford Day, also known as 815 Day, is 49 days away. On Tuesday, Mayor Tom McNamara and others gathered for a news conference to start the push to get people involved in what will be the seventh Rockford Day celebration.
“We would like to encourage all entrepreneurs in the city to do something for 815 Day,” said Sheila Hill, cofounder of the nonprofit business incubator Think Big. “More importantly, we would like for our community to shop local and support all the entrepreneurs in our community whether it’s on the east side, west side or downtown Rockford.”
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The news conference was held outside Ignition Studios, 1444 Myott Ave., on the city’s North End, where OhYa Studio-Ray Mawst and Brian Kehoe painted a Rockford-themed mural in 2022. That site will be home to a food giveaway and free financial empowerment sessions hosted by nearby Midland States Bank on Rockford Day, one of dozens of activities spread across the city that day.
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Rockford Day is celebrated each year on Aug. 15, or 8/15 on your calendar, as a means to spur city pride and encourage people to support local businesses.
“815 Day is not a day to go to big box stores, it’s a day to shop local,” McNamara said. “It’s really an awesome time for everyone who loves the city of Rockford to get out, enjoy different aspects of our community and get out and celebrate our local entrepreneurs.”
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John Groh, the president and CEO of the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, said it’s a day to celebrate the best of our community.
“On Rockford Day every single Rockford resident has an invitation to promote and be proud and to share and to love — whether it’s just in their daily interactions with friends, colleagues or family members or on social media — to celebrate what their loving,” Groh said. “That positivity amplifies throughout our community and beyond.”
Groh said the River District Association will host a downtown picnic party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 15 on First Street between State and Market streets. There will be food trucks, live music, ice cream and games and activities. That lunchtime event compliments a multitude of other things to do on Rockford Day.
“It’s a Tuesday this year, so plan ahead for your daytime activities and your events in the evening, whether it be Food Truck Tuesdays at Nicholas Conservatory or a concert at Anderson Gardens and lots of other things throughout the community to do and be part of,” Groh said.
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McNamara also spelled out several ideas for businesses and organizations to get involved. He said they could:
- Raise money for a local nonprofit
- Cleanup an underserved neighborhood
- Collect donations for a local cause “that’s near and dear to your heart”
- Restaurants and retail shops can have specials themed around Rockford
- Have prizes or giveaways for customers
“There are ways that every single person in all industries can get involved and help celebrate this wonderful day,” McNamara said.
Businesses and other organizations are encouraged to register their events on the Rockford Day website, which will help spread the word about all the things to do on Aug. 15.
Get involved | 815 Day
Learn more: Go to gorockford.com/rockford-day to stay on top of different activities and specials happening on Rockford Day.
Submit information: Go HERE to submit information to the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau about your business or organization’s plans for Rockford Day to have it listed on the Rockford Day website.
Get ideas on how to participate: Looking for suggestions on how to participate in Rockford Day? Visit gorockford.com/rockford-day/rockford-day-participation for several suggestions.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.
