20 ideas for weekend fun in the Rockford area
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — This weekend you can experience a surreal art show in the woods of Sinnissippi Park, laugh it up at Prairie Street Brewing Co., cheer on the Rockford IceHogs or watch thousands of rowers traverse the Rock River.
And that’s just a few of the things happening around the Rockford area.
If you’re looking for things to do this weekend, here’s a quick list of 20 suggestions to get you started:
Experience Somnium
What: “Somnium: The Book of Forest Lament” is a surreal and trippy outdoor art show that moves you through the woods of Sinnissippi Park. It’s put on by more than 20 Rockford-area artists and led by internationally-recognized visual artist Eddaviel Montero and Rockford writer and education advocate Emily Klonicki.
Where: Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. Second St., Rockford
When:
Friday, Oct. 11 | Festival opening day
4 p.m. to 8 p.m. festival activities
8 p.m. Somnium production
Saturday, Oct. 12, Sunday Oct. 13
2 p.m. to 8 p.m. festival activities
8 p.m. Somnium production
Tickets: $25 in advance; $40 at the door; $10 for children 6-12; free for children 6 and younger
Info/buy tickets: experiencesomnium.com
Barrel of Laughs
What: Erica Nicole Clark, a mainstay at big comedy clubs in Chicago, headlines this month’s comedy event. Clark is a storytelling comedian, including some stories about her famous father Mr. T. The featured comedian is Manny Acosta and it’s hosted by Kevin Kellam.
When: 6:30 p.m. (doors open) 7:30 p.m. show starts, Friday, Oct. 11
Where: Prairie Street Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
Fundraiser for Marshmallow’s Hope
What: Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts will perform in a show to raise money for Marshmallow’s Hope, a nonprofit that helps teens who are struggling with severe mental health and emotional disturbances.
When: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11
Where: The Union Event Space, 112 N. Second St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
IceHogs season opener and block party
What: The Rockford IceHogs hold their season opener against the Grand Rapids Griffins. The game is preceded by a block party in front of the BMO center with T-shirt giveaways from Hard Rock Casino and music from Trippin’ Billies, a Chicago-based Dave Matthews tribute band.
When: 4 p.m. block party begins Saturday, Oct. 12; 7 p.m. game time
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
Discovery Town returns
What: Discovery Town is a miniature town where children can engage in imaginative play while learning about real-life professions. The Discovery Center exhibit features kid-sized buildings and businesses in the Woodward Exhibit Hall.
When: Now through Jan. 5
Where: Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
Open Mic poetry
What: Poets Ruth Jackson and Christopher D. Sims will host an open mic poetry night. Last month’s show filled the room.
When: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11
Where: Inscape Collective, 201 S. Seventh St., Rockford
Nik’s Home Run
What: Nik’s Home Run features a 7K run and 1.5 mile fun walk to raise money for Nik’s Wish, a nonprofit that raises money to grant wishes for young adults facing cancer.
Where: Rivets Stadium, 4503 Interstate Blvd., Loves Park
When: 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Tickets: Go HERE
Monarch Festival
What: This family-friendly event features a variety of activities, exhibits and hands-on learning centered around monarch butterflies and other interesting bugs.
Where: Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Admission: Non-member adults $15; non-member youth $13; children three and under enter free; members enter free
Pamper Me Pink
What: Aetna Better Health of Illinois will host its annual Pamper Me Pink event offering screenings, resources, giveaways and opportunities for self-care at no cost via featured vendors. Pamper Me Pink is a designed to be a fun community event to share education around breast cancer and promote women’s overall well-being.
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Where: Guysie Jenkins Community Resource Center, 911 Michigan Ave., Rockford
Family Fall Fest
What: Camp Winnebago’s annual Family Fall Fest features build-a-scarecrow, pumpkin patch and painting, hay rides, fall crafts, archery, hiking and other activities.
When: Camp Winnebago, 5804 N. Main St., Rockford
When: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Info: Go HERE
Head of the Rock Regatta
What: The Rock River Valley YMCA Rowing Club will hold its annual regatta, a 5,000-meter course that offers views for spectators along the Rock River Recreation Path. The event draws more than 2,000 rowers from across the country and typically has about 5,000 spectators.
When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12
Where: Rock River between Martin Park and the YMCA of Rock River Valley, 200 Y Blvd.
Info: Go HERE
Kofi Baker’s Psychedelic Trip
What: Kofi Baker, the son of legendary drummer Ginger Baker, features his fathers music from the ’60s, with special selections from Blind Faith and Cream. Joining Kofi will be former Yani bassist Ric Fierabracci and Scott Tipping of Backyard Tire Fire on guitar.
When: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Where: Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St., Rockford
Roxy Carmichael Fashion Show
What: A fashion show featuring styles from Roxy Carmichael, 1617A North Alpine Road, will benefit Bikers Against Child Abuse, a local nonprofit that works to create a safer environment for children who have been abused. Additional vendors will have pop-up shops on site ranging from permanent jewelry to candles, home decor, personal care, gifts and clothing.
When: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Where: LLL Club, 1515 Ninth Street, Rockford
On The Waterfront Reunion
What: “12 After ’12 on the 12th: an On The Waterfront Reunion” brings together past patrons, performers and vendors of On The Waterfront, a former Rockford festival that ended in 2012. Entertainment will come from Three Good Men, Shuffle This and The Sensations. The event raises money for Rockford Area Music Industry scholarhsips.
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Where: Tebala Events Center, 7910 Newburg Road, Cherry Valley
Tickets: $15; go HERE
Apple Cider Sunday
What: Discover the storied history of apple cider, learn how it was made long ago and, of course, taste the cider for yourself.
When: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13
Where: Macktown Living History, 2221 Freeport Road, Rockton
Info: Go HERE
Comedy at Hope & Anchor
What: Internationally touring comedian Vikram Balaji, who has performed in six countries and multiple comedy festivals, headlines this week’s show. Also featured are Harry Jensen and George Talarico and Jen Flaxman hosts.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Where: Hope & Anchor English Pub, 5040 N. Second St., Rockford
Cost: $10
Tickets: Call 815-633-2552
Fall Fever Craft & Vendor Show
What: More than 40 vendors with a range of gifts, handcrafted items and specialty good fill the Midway Village Museum grounds for this shopping experience:
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Where: Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford
Admission: Free
A tribute to August Wilson
What: Inscape Collective and Rockford Urban Ministries present a Dorothy Paige-Turner and Rockford Reader’s Theatre production: A tribute to August Wilson, American Playwright from 1945-2005, cycle of plays of the African American experience in the 20th century.
When: 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Where: Inscape Collective, 201 Seventh St., Rockford
Admission: Donations of $5-20 suggested
Info: Go HERE
Fall Diddley
What: This is the 39th annual Fall Diddley Craft Show features nearly 300 unique hand crafted vendors. The event benefits the Mental Health Resource League for McHenry County.
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13
Where: Boone County Fairgrounds, 8847 Illinois 76, Belvidere
Info: Go HERE
Procrastinators unite
What: Want to write something for the Rockford Anthology but have been procrastinating? Join this community writing session to break through your procrastination and work on your submission. The deadline for turning in your piece for the anthology is Oct. 15.
When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 12
Where: Rockford Public Library, 215 N. Wyman St., Rockford (in room next to the Maker Lab)
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
