Tough Mudder, live music, free movie at the Coronado, Picklefest and more ways to have fun this week in the Rockford area
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — This week has a multitude of live music options, a new festival centered on pickleball, a grueling endurance race and more.
If you’re looking for things to do from today through the weekend, here are 18 ideas to get you started:
Music on the Rock
What: Music on the Rock is a free riverfront concert on select Wednesday nights behind the Burpee Museum of Natural History. This week features Reverend Raven and the CSABs with Westside Andy Linderman.
When: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21
Where: Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: Free
Info: Go HERE
Dinner on the Dock
What: The summertime riverside music series continues this week with Long-shot, a local trio that plays rock, outlaw country, acoustic blues and a blend of other genres. The group has released three albums and plays a mix of original music and covers of hits.
When: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22
Where: Prairie Street Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., Rockford
Info and reservations: Go HERE
Tough Mudder
What: Tough Mudder brings its obstacle course challenge back to Rockford with both 15K and 5K events. The hardcore endurance challenge features more than 20 obstacles on the 15K course.
When: Saturday, Aug. 24 and Sunday, Aug. 25 (start times vary at signup)
Where: Chicago Rockford International Airport, 6313 Beltline Road, Rockford
Register: Go HERE
Picklefest: It’s kind of a big dill
What: Olympic Tavern will host its first ever Picklefest, a celebration of all things sour and pickled. There will be pickle-centric food and drink features such as pickle pizza, fried pickles, pickleback shots and many others. Also, FlexCourt will set up a few pickleball courts in the parking lot between noon and 5 p.m., and there will be prizes for the top pickleball teams.
When: Noon to 5:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24
Where: Olympic Tavern, 2327 N. Main St., Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Lone Canary at Salt
What: The Lone Canary brings its blend of vocals, fiddle, rhythmic percussion and acoustic guitar to Salt. The American folk duo consists of Heather Camacho and Jesse Fox.
When: 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23
Where: Salt, 6860 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Cover free comedy
What: Peter John Byrnes headlines this cover free comedy show with opening act sets from Ron Bloom, Philip Earl “MooNiE” Johnson and Matthew Doyle Perez. It’s hosted by Marcos Lara.
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23
Where: El Paraiso Lumbre Y Mar Restaurant, 5518 N. Second St., Loves Park
Kids Cinema Saturday
What: The Friends of the Coronado and state Rep. Maurice West will host a free movie night for children featuring a showing of “Elemental.” The doors open at 1:30 p.m. for pre-movie activities including Magician Johnny Silver, therapy dogs, kids activities with the Rockford Park District, Rockford Public Library and Discovery Center. There will also be face painting by Juju Rey’s Art Clubhouse.
When: 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. (movie starts at 3 p.m.) Saturday, Aug. 24
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Music on the Mall
About: Yacht Rock band Nauti Nauti headlines this week’s outdoor Music on the Mall concert.
When: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.Friday, Aug. 23
Where: Edgebrook Shopping Center, 1605 N. Alpine Road, Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Steely Dane
What: Steely Dane, a multiple-time award winner for best tribute band, specializes in faithfully reproducing the music of Steely Dan and Donald Fagen.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24
Where: Rockford Theatre, 317 Park Ave., Rockford
Tickets: Starting at $26.50, go HERE
Legends game at Rivets Stadium
What: The Rockford Rivets second annual Legends Celebrity Game features former Chicago baseball stars as Derrek Lee, Bobby Thigpen, Bob Dernier, Mickey Morandini and Mitch William. They’ll compete in a softball game with local radio and TV media personalities.
Rockford Midtown Market
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22
Where: Across the street from Katie’s Cup, 502 Seventh St., Rockford (in the Rockford Public Schools parking lot)
Online: rockfordmidtownmarket.com
Contact: rockfordmidtownmarket@gmail.com
Beats & Bites
What: The “ultimate lunch break” returns with this week’s theme being Peach Day. In Rockford, that includes honoring the hometown historic women’s baseball team, the Rockford Peaches.
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays, Aug. 22
Where: 330 W. State St. (the parking lot and vendor space at the corner of South Church and West State streets)
Rockford City Market
What: Rockford City Market features 70 vendors selling everything from food and drink to clothing and jewelry. This week’s main stage musical entertainment is Three Good men. The acoustic stage features David Hayes.
Where: 100 N. Water St., Rockford
When: 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23
Info: Go HERE
Crossroads Blues Festival
What: The annual Crossroads Blues Society features artists such as Yates McKendree, Eddie 9V, Johnny Rawls with Dave Keller Band, Win Noll and The Rockin Souls, and Big Al Dorn & The Blues Howlers.
When: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24
Where: Lyran Park, 4781 S. Bend Road, Rockford
Tickets: $10 in advance; $15 at the gate; free for ages 18 and younger
Information: Go HERE
Comedy at Hope & Anchor
What: Comedian Brandon Kieffer whose appeared on Kill Tony and Chicago Roast Battle headlines this week’s show. The show is hosted by Kat Diaz and also features John Hickok and Marc Levalle.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24
Cover: $10
Info: Go HERE
Rockford Founders Day Celebration
What: Rockford Reader’s Theatre and Inscape Collective will celebrate the founding of Rockford with a portrayal of Lewis Lemon, who was formerly enslaved and became one of the city’s founding fathers. Rockford was founded 190 years ago on Aug. 24, 1834.
The story is told in prose and song. It’s written and directed by Dorothy Paige-Turner and features Carl L. Towns as Lewis Lemon.
When: 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24
Where: Inscape Collective, 201 Seventh St., Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Back to School fun fair
What: Lockwood park will host a new Back to School Fun Fair on the Farm. Take your back-to-school photos with a live cow, or take part in a variety of activities on the farm.
Where: Lockwood Park, 5201 Safford Road, Rockford
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 (photos with cow from 1 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.)
Info: Go HERE
Talent show finals and concert
What: Live at Levings will host the finals for its talent show competition. There will also be live performances after the talent show from Indika Reggae and Too Deep.
When: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. showcase; 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. concert on Sunday, Aug. 25
Where: Levings Park, 1420 S. Pierpont Ave., Rockford
Info: Go HERE
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
