By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — This weekend is packed with things to do, from the annual Tamale Fest to a multicultural festival, fall festival, a sock hop and an endurance test to honor first responders.
This weekend is also the annual Screw City Beer Fest, but we say that only as a reminder to those who have tickets because it’s sold out.
Those are just a few of the things happening around the Rockford region this weekend. You can find more on our events page, including the recurring events such as Rockford City Market.
More news: Startup surge in Rockford proves durable 3 years after the pandemic
Here are 14 quick picks for things to do this weekend:
Honor first responders at Hero Climb
About: The second-annual Hero Climb challenges you to climb 110 flights of stairs in a symbolic show of support to Sept. 11, 2001, first responders. The event also raises funds for The Greg Lindmark Foundation, a nonprofit that provides confidential counseling services to police, firefighters and other first responders.
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10
Where: Swanson Stadium at Guilford High School, 2801 Shaw Woods Drive, Rockford
Tickets: $20 (includes commemorative T-shirt, memorial lanyard and finisher medal). Proceeds benefit The Greg Lindmark Foundation.
Get tickets here: Rockford Hero Climb 2023 on Eventbrite
Celebrate at the Multicultural Fall Festival
About: The 8th Ward Multicultural Fall Festival celebrates the diversity of the ward, which is in the central city south to Sandy Hollow Golf Course. The event includes performances from the Youth Against Violence drum line, Ariana Spanish Polka Dancers, Congolese dancers and Middle Easter dancers. There will also be an array of food vendors including Bop Bop Korean food truck, La Esquinita De Oro and Shawarma Station. Kids activities include a bouncy house.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 pm. Saturday, Sept. 9
Where: Five Points Shopping Center, 4225 Charles St., Rockford
Admission: Free
See who has Rockford’s best tamales
About: Tamale Fest returns with food trucks and food vendors from around the Midwest that deliver a taste of Latin America. There’s also a competition to determine who has the region’s best tamales. The annual event also features lowriders, lucha libre, a jalapeño eating contest, a model pin-up contest, Aztec dancers and other entertainment.
Where: 5909 E. State St., Rockford
When: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9
Admission: $10 (children 10 and younger enter free)
More info: Facebook event page HERE
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Shop the Main Street Market
About: Main Street Market is an open-air market hosted by Urban Farmgirl that invites you to shop more than 175 vendors from across the Midwest including handmade artisans, purveyors of vintage goods and boutique shops. There’s also food and live music.
Where: Boone County Fairgrounds, 8791 Illinois Route 76, Belvidere
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9
How much: $7 advance; $10 at the gate ($20 early bird ticket provides one hour of early access)
Tickets/info: Go HERE
See the latest from Artists’ Ensemble Theatre
About: Artists’ Ensemble Theatre presents “The Tin Woman,” a play based on a true story that uses humor and pathos to explore loss, family and what it means to be given new life.
When: Sept. 7-24
Where: Rockford University Cheek Theatre, 5050 E. State St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
Celebrate Oktoberfest early
About: The final Dinner on the Dock of the season features Die Musikmeisters, a lively German band that fits Prairie Street Brewing Co.’s Octoberfest bash.
Where: Prairie Street Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., Rockford
When: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7
Tickets: Go HERE
Take your pup for a Midtown walk
About: The fifth Midtown Dog Walk of the year features food and merchandise vendors for you and your pup. The monthly event raises money for Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter.
When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, (The next walk is Oct. 5)
Where: Ernie’s Midtown Pub, 1025 Fifth Ave., Rockford
More info: Facebook event page HERE
More Midtown block parties
About: Inscape Collective will host the Midtown Strong Block Party featuring food trucks, vendor booths, grab bags for kids, fire trucks and the Rockford Public Library Bookmobile. There will also be live entertainment including Trinadora, Sammie the Saxophonist and Monark. At 2:30 p.m. you can compete in your chance to stump Rockford’s Mr. Baseball Bob Presman.
Where: Parking lot behind Inscape Collective, 201 Seventh St., Rockford
When: noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9
Fashion show with old clothes, new looks
About: Womanspace and Tad More Tailoring will host Restyle the Runway — a fashion show featuring restyled and upcycled clothing. The fundraiser for Womanspace also allows you to shop for hand-picked secondhand garments and sustainable art from local artists.
Where: Regents Hall at Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9
Cost: $75 or $550 for a table of eight.
Buy tickets: purchased HERE
Turn back time with a sock hop
About: Relive the 1950s and ’60s with an evening sock hop. Trinadora Rocks and The Vince Chiarelli Band will provide the music and Windsor Pizza will cater the food.
Where: Spring Creek Church, 4500 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8
Cost: $10 in advance; $15 at the door
Info/tickets: springcreekucc.org/concerts
Head to a fall festival
About: The Roscoe Lions Club will host its annual Fall Festival featuring a variety of entertainment including carnival games, a kid’s costume parade on Saturday, karaoke and bingo. High-energy rock bands perform each evening. Hot dogs, hamburgers, beer and more are available for purchase.
Where: Leland Park, 5727 Broad St., Roscoe
When: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9; noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9 (Lion’s Festival Parade is at 11 a.m. Sunday, Breakfast at Leland Park is from 7 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Sunday)
Info: roscoelionsclubil.com
See Rockford history through art
About: “Mapping Rockford Through History: An Artistic View of Our City Past and Present” is a new art exhibit filling City Hall over the next month. Ten artists were asked to explore one of Rockford’s historic districts and create their version of a map of that area. Peter J. Swanson photographed each neighborhood and Neil Bloom of Future Memory Media created video pieces.
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8 through Oct. 6. Closing reception is 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 6.
Where: City Hall, 425 E. State St., Rockford
See songwriter Dave Rudolph in concert
About: Award-winning songwriter David Rudolph will deliver an acoustic mix of original and traditional songs:
Where: Spring Creek Church, 4500 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
When: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9
Info: springcreekucc.org/concerts
Attend a soiree for history education
About: The Autumn Soiree is a fundraiser for history education at Midway Village Museum. The event is held in the historic Victorian Village and features dinner prepared by Greenfire Restaurant, musical stylings from Grand Groove Hotel and wine and other libations.
Where: Midway Village Museum Victorian Village, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9
How much: $100 per person
Info/tickets: midwayvillage.com
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas