Coffee Crawl, Tour de North End, live music and more activities this week in the Rockford area
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — This weekend has a multitude of options for live music and supporting local businesses, from the inaugural Rockford Coffee Crawl to the reopening of Capri.
This weekend is also the annual Tour De North End bicycle festival, the Midwest’s largest military reenactment, Oktoberfest celebrations and the season finale for Rockford City Market.
Those are just a few of the plethora of activities and festivities on tap this weekend.
Looking for something to do? Here are 21 ideas to peruse:
Rockford Coffee Crawl
What: Six Rockford-area coffee shops are collaborating to lift each other up with the first ever Rockford Coffee Crawl, which features specials at each shop. There is a punch card for visiting each shop and the potential for prizes.
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
Where:
- Wired Cafe, 414 E. State St., Rockford
- Inzombia Coffee, 306 E. State St., Rockford and inside the Education Resource Center at Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road
- Rockford Roasting Co., 416 S. Main St., Rockford
- Katie’s Cup, 502 Seventh St., Rockford
- My Cafe Amore, 125 E. State St., suite E, Cherry Valley
- Meg’s Daily Grind, 1141 N. Alpine Road and 3879 N. Perryville Road, Rockford
More info: 815CoffeeCrawl; or HERE
Related: Rockford’s locally owned coffee shops are collaborating to lift each other up
Eat at Capri
What: For the first time in more than two years, you can have a pizza, pasta or other Italian meal at Capri Restaurant. The restaurant opens at its new location on Saturday, Sept. 28.
Where: 6480 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park
When: 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
Info: Go HERE
Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts
What: Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts perform outdoors at Alchemy at Aldeen.
When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25
Where: Alchemy at Aldeen, 1902 Reid Farm Road, Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Reservations: Call 815-987-1662 for reservations.
Judas Priest at the BMO
What: Iconic British heavy metal group Judas Priest brings its world tour to Rockford.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
An evening with Annie O’Malley
What: Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter Annie O’Malley is performing here about a week after the release of her sophomore album “All the things that skare me.” O’Malley’s sound ranges from light-hearted and upbeat to melancholic and reflective.
Where: The Music Box of Rockford, 218 E. State St., Rockford
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27
Tickets: From $18.85; go HERE
Brian McKnight at Hard Rock
What: Grammy-nominated R&B artist Brian McKnight brings his tour to Rockford.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
Where: Hard Rock Live, 7801 E. State St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
World War II Days
What: The largest World War II reenactment in the Midwest returns to Midway Village Museum campus this weekend, featuring more than 1,000 reenactors and scores of military vehicles.
Where: Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29
Full schedule/tickets: Go HERE
German Society Oktoberfest
What: German Society of Rockford will hold its 60th annual Oktoberfest featuring authentic German cuisine and beer, stein racing and other games, Miss Oktoberfest and music from The Amazing Mike Band, The Legendary Barefoot Becky and The Zweibel Brothers.
When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
Where: Loves Park City Hall festival grounds, 100 Heart Blvd., Loves Park
Tickets: $7 in advance; $10 day of event
Info: Go HERE
Final outdoor Midtown Market
What: The 16th and final outdoor Midtown Market of the season includes vendors such as Angie’s Tamales, Diggity Dawg’s & More, Grammy’s Homemade Jams & More, Honey’s Lemonade, University of Illinois Extension, PaperPie Books, Quixotic Bakery, among many others.
Where: Parking lot across from Katie’s Cup, 502 Seventh St., Rockford
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26
Info: RockfordMidtownMarket.com
Oktoberfest tasting
What: 8th Ward Pub will host an Oktoberfest tasting with LaMonica Beverages, providing samples of seasonal beers from a variety of breweries.
When: 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26
Where: 8th Ward Pub, 3905 Broadway, Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Final City Market of the season
What: Rockford City Market wraps up its 15th season this week with music from the Jodi Beach Trio on the main stage. The acoustic stage features Brian Wood.
When: 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27
Where: State and Water streets, downtown Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Bubblefest
What: Discovery Center museum presents Bubblefest. Michelle Hackett, the “bubble lady of Wisconsin,” provides entertainment and kids can try their own hand at bubble-making after.
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
Where: Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
Tickets: $5 general admission; $3 for members
Info: Go HERE
Comedy in Loves Park
What: Comedian Bryan Bixby, named “Portland’s funniest person,” headlines this week’s comedy night. The show also features Alex Savant and Sharup Karim, and it’s hosted by Kyle Alan.
Where: The Hope & Anchor English Pub, 806 E. Renrose Avenue,Loves Park
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
Cost: $10
Reservations: Call 815-633-2552
Tour de North End
What: The 13th annual North End neighborhood bicycle festival is back. Ride around the North End from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. collecting stamps at participating locations, then return to Olympic Tavern to redeem your stamps and enter to win a Fat Tire cruiser bike. There’s also food and music all day at Olympic Tavern.
Where: Various locations, starting at Olympic Tavern, 2327 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
Info/tickets: Go HERE
Deviate Beloit
What: Deviate Beloit, a vibrant blend of art show and party, features live music and original art from more than 30 artists around the region. There are performers ranging from fire spinners and acrobats and food from local vendors. It is a 21 and older event and benefits the Make-A-Wish foundation.
When: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
Where: Ironworks Campus, Ironworks Drive and Third Street, Beloit
Tickets: $10 in advance; $15 day of
Info: Go HERE
Steven Cade | Giving tour
What: Country artist Steven Cade is visiting shelters across the country that offer housing and services to families, youth
and individuals experiencing homelessness. At each visit, he donates a guitar and holds a live performance. This week, he will perform at Carpenter’s Place and Urban Forest Brewing.
Where: Carpenter’s Place, 1149 Railroad Ave., Rockford, and Urban Forest Craft Brewing, 6551 E Riverside Blvd, suite No. 112, Rockford
When: 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27 at Carpenter’s Place; 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27 at Urban Forest
Info: stevencade.com
Community Celebration
What: Members Alliance Credit Union holds its second annual community celebration with pumpkin painting, bouncy houses, jumbo joust, foam party, food trucks, face painting and other family-friendly activities.
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
Where: Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Fall Festival
What: Gretta’s Goats will host a fall festival with a mini farmer’s market, story hour with baby goats, nature-themed art projects for kids, live music, a guided hike and other activities.
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
Where: Gretta’s Goats, 498 N. Farwell Bridge Road, Pecatonica
Cost: $10
Info: Go HERE
The Glenn Miller Orchestra
What: The world-renowned Glenn Miller Orchestra brings classics such as “In the Mood” and “Moonlight Serenade” back to the stage as its tour stops in Rockford.
Where: Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29
Tickets: Go HERE
Harvest Haus Artisanal Oktoberfest Market
What: The Harvest Haus Artisanal Oktoberfest Market features day of authentic German fun and fall festivities, including music from Die Musikmeisters Band. There are also more than 50 craft vendors.
Where: Hidden Creek Estates, 13276 White School Road, Roscoe
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29
Cost: $10
Info: Go HERE
Groove Hotel
What: Groove Hotel, a Rockford Area Music Industry award-winning jazz band, performs its original compositions and classic songs. The ensemble will feature saxophonist Evon Sams and guitarist Johnse Holt.
When: 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29
Where: Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, 415 N. Church St., Rockford
Tickets: $12 in advance; $15 at the door; $6 students
Info/tickets: 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
