What to know before you Stroll on State – GoRockford keeps eye on winter storm
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The city’s biggest holiday festival is set to take over downtown on Saturday, but organizers are keeping an eye on the expected winter storm.
Stroll on State is scheduled for 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday in the heart of downtown. It’s proceeded by the Dasher Dash 5K at noon.
GoRockford, which puts on the annual event, hopes to go forward with the Stroll even if it snows. But it is monitoring weather reports as the expected severity of snowfall has increased in recent days. A decision on whether it can proceed is likely Friday morning, according Kristen Paul, GoRockford’s executive vice president.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch with more than six inches of snow possible. It says the chance of snow is 100%. GoRockford is watching the latest updates before making a call on the event.
Earlier in the week, the team was feeling more optimistic about the snow.
“Snow is likely going to happen on Saturday but we are ready. It’s going to make the event even more magical, so don’t miss out on Stroll,” Paul said on Wednesday. “We are taking every precaution we can working with police, the public works team and private plows.”
The announcement of a winter storm watch changed that optimism.
Here are some fast facts to know about the Stroll if it’s able to go forward as planned:
When does it start and end?
Stroll on State kicks off at noon Saturday with the Dash Dash 5K. The main footprint opens and the festivities begin at 2 p.m. with the parade. The night ends after the fireworks at 8:30 p.m.
Noon: Dasher Dash 5K
2 p.m. Parade
6 p.m. Tree lighting ceremony
6:15 p.m. Drone show
8:30 p.m. Fireworks
Full listing of events and activities: strollonstate.com
Related: 6 new things you’ll see at this year’s Stroll on State in downtown Rockford
Where do you park?
Parking is restricted at the parking garages at the State and Main streets parking deck and the Elm and Wyman streets parking deck.
There is some available street parking, as well as public surface parking and parking garage space at the following locations:
- $5 event parking at the Concourse parking garage at Chestnut and Church streets, across from the BMO Center
- $5 event parking at the Main Street North parking deck across from the Coronado Theatre
- Surface parking at the Sports Factory, South Madison and Walnut streets
- Surface parking at Walnut and South Madison streets behind Maximum Performance and the old Capri building
- Surface parking at Riverview Ice House, 324 N. Madison St.
- Covered parking at the Brewhouse district pavilion at Madison and Prairie streets
- Surface parking at Park Avenue and North Wyman Street
- Surface parking at 500 Walnut Street, behind Social and The Office Nite Club
There are also several private lots available for a fee.
What if I have to park further away?
There are shuttles offered through the Rockford Mass Transit District starting at 1 p.m. They run every 20 minutes at three locations:
- Bethesda Covenant Church, 2101 E. State St.
- Crusader Community Health, 1200 W. St.
- YMCA, 200 Y Blvd.
The buses drop passengers off at Third and State streets. There are handicap accessible shuttles only at the YMCA site.
Mapping out Stroll on State attractions
You can see a map of attractions, restrooms, parking options, the parade route and more above. Follow the link here to get a closer look.
What’s the music lineup?
| Silver Bell Stage | Main Stage |
|---|---|
| 3 p.m. Eli Parker | 3 p.m. The Lone Canary |
| 3:50 p.m. Dueling Pianos | x |
| 4:55 p.m. Nielsen Chorale Ancora Ensemble | 4:55 p.m. City First Band |
| x | 6 p.m. Tree lighting followed by drone show |
| 6:45 p.m. Rollin’ Whiskey | 6:45 p.m. City First Band |
| 7:50 p.m. Dueling Pianos | x |
The Silver Bell Stage is behind Jimmy John’s on East State Street and the Main Stage is near the BMO Center at North Main and Elm streets.
Where is Santa?
There are several places to meet and get pictures with Santa.
- Photos with Santa west: In the lot next to Veterans Memorial Hall, 211 N. Main St., which is at the northeast corner of Main and Mulberry streets
- Photos with Santa east: In the lot next to Jimmy John’s, 308 E. State St.
- Sensory Santa experience: For families who benefit from a quieter experience, a sensory-friendly Santa visit will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. inside the Rockford Public Library, 215 N. Wyman St.
- Letters to Santa: Drop off letters to Santa at City Hall, 425 E. State St.
Where to see the tree lighting and drone show?
The annual tree lighting ceremony takes place at 6 p.m. at Main and Elm streets across from the BMO Center.
The lighting ceremony is followed immediately by a drone show, which will rise up above the stage where the tree lighting ceremony is held.
What is the parade route?
The parade starts on North Main Street just north of Elm Street and proceeds south to West State Street. It then turns east on State Street, crossing the bridge over the Rock River and ending at North Second St.
Are downtown shops open?
Yes. Many downtown stores hold special hours for Stroll on State.
Where can you see the fireworks?
Fireworks will be launched at 8:30 p.m. from the Jefferson Street bridge.
Viewers can see them anywhere on the festival grounds that has a view of the bridge.
Where can you get food and drink?
There are four spots for s’mores, cocoa and other drinks around the Stroll on State grounds. The majority of retail and food vendors are located at two holiday markets on the east and west sides of the river.
The east side market is near the Rockford City Market pavilion along Water Street. The west side market is between North Main and Wyman streets just north of State Street.
“They’re both packed,” Paul said. “We have more vendors than ever.”
Many downtown cafes and restaurants also sell drinks and special food items during Stroll.
What roads are closed?
All roadways within the festival footprint are closed at 6 a.m. Saturday.
The footprint is bordered by Jefferson Street on the north, Church Street on the west, Chestnut/Walnut Street on the south and Third Street on the east.
- Motorists driving westbound will be directed over the Jefferson Street bridge. However, the bridge will be closed from 7:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the fireworks.
- Motorists driving eastbound will be directed across the Chestnut/Walnut Street bridge. That bridge will be closed to traffic from noon to 7 p.m. Detours will be posted.
- Main Street from Cedar Street north to Chestnut will be closed at 10 a.m. for the parade
- Third Street will be reduced to two lanes of travel from Walnut Street north to Jefferson Street from noon to 5 p.m.
Where can I find more?
Go to StrollonState.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
