Positive News, Stories, & Rockford Buzz Polls

WOW! There are some really great events happening this weekend! Basically, it’s a weekend full of vintage shopping, art, and alcohol! Who wouldn’t love that?!? So pick one or a few events to go to this weekend, and most importantly HAVE FUN!Vintage Shop Hop: Friday and SaturdayOn Friday and Saturday, support local vintage and antique shops by taking part in the 2021 Vintage Shop Hop! Technically the event spreads across Northern Illinois and into Southern Wisconsin but you don’t even have to leave the 815 to participate! Many of Rockford’s amazing local shops will be participating, such as The Midwest Rustic and Hidden Treasures, by having doorbusters, deals, giveaways, and more! So make a road trip out of it, or stay close to home. But you definitely won’t want to miss out on all of the great deals that our local vintage shops will have in store for you this weekend!Fall ArtScene: Friday and SaturdayArtScene is a biannual gallery walk, hosted by the Arts Council, featuring new and established artists of the Rockford Region! ArtScene offers a wide variety of art to appreciate and purchase including jewelry, paintings, sculpture, prints, photography, quilts/fiber art, and more! Artists are available for conversation—sharing the approach and inspiration for their work. Fall ArtScene’s kickoff will begin with the Poetry Prelude, 4 p.m., at Rockford City Hall, October 1; Fall ArtScene 2021 is October 1st and 2nd, 5-9 p.m. on Friday night, and 4-9 p.m. on Saturday night. All venues will have maps + venue listings for visitors. Additionally, the venue locations and artist information is hosted on our website: https://artsforeveryone.com/artscene/ and Facebook. Whiskey and Wine: SaturdaySaturday from 2-5 PM, Rockford City Market is hosting their second annual Whiskey and Wine at the Market in partnership with Artale Wine Co! This year they will be hosting the event in the pavilion with live music by Long-Shot and food trucks! Admission is $50 and includes live music as well as unlimited whiskey and wine from 20+ distilleries and wineries! Who doesn’t want to spend their Saturday afternoon trying various whiskeys and wines, listening to awesome live music, AND eating at great food trucks?! Brew Bash: SaturdayOn Saturday Shooters Bar and Grill brings you Brew Bash Beer Con! From 2-7 PM you can dress up as any sci-fi, superhero, or video game character to attend a one-of-a-kind beer tasting event! This year's Brew Bash is Comic-Con/old-school video game-themed so you can enjoy an exciting combination of fun pop culture and beer! Right now, if you use the code beer, you can get $15 off your tickets! So get your tickets now!

SMALL BUSINESS TO SHINE DURING THE SEMI-ANNUAL VINTAGE SHOP HOP!Thousands of shoppers will converge on northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin once again for the fall edition of the popular Vintage Shop HopTM on Friday and Saturday, October 1 & 2, 2021. The event is a self-guided road trip for vintage and antique lovers in the northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin region to satisfy their ‘vintage’ addition and support small businesses at the same time. Typically, between 350 to 400 locally-owned vintage shops, antique malls, women’s boutiques, occasional and pop-up shops, home decor, upscale consignment shops, and vintage barn sales in the two-state region are expected to participate in this semi-annual event. Why is the event so popular? One reason is that shop owners ‘roll out the red carpet' for customers with demonstrations, discounts, giveaways, raffle drawings, as well as making it easy for shoppers with a list and map of hundreds of locations in two states. “The idea was simply to give the shopper a reason to call their friends and spend the day shopping for vintage and antique decor in their own backyard,” says event organizer Ann Campos. “I wanted to make it easy for them to travel from shop to shop while supporting small business at the same time,” she said. She describes the event as ‘a road trip on steroids’ and goes on to say that the hardest part for shoppers is deciding on where to travel to for their road trip fun.What started with 180 shops eight years ago, the Vintage Shop Hop has increased in popularity with each event. “It began as a spring event but after six years the shoppers and shop owners requested a second shop hop later in the year. As a result, I added a fall hop in 2019 making it a semi-annual event. These small business owners sometimes need a shot in the arm to boost their sales in a traditionally slow retail season and give shoppers a reason to leave the house, especially during the COVID world we live in today”, Campos says. The event idea came to Campos eight years ago after talking with a handful of her friends who owned vintage shops and had experienced slow sales during the then harsh winter. “After spending several years producing vintage markets, I decided to marry my love of vintage with my background in tourism promotion, event planning, and marketing to come up with a way to reach out and do something for local small business” she said, “the result is the Vintage Shop Hop.” Social media has played a huge role in the rapid growth of the event. The event's Facebook fan page was launched during the first year and has grown to over 67,000 followers between the company’s three social media pages. “I believe the event grew so fast because these small business owners were looking for a unique, low-cost way to promote not only their shop but their town too, and the shoppers were excited to have a list of hundreds of fun shops dropped in their lap,” Campos said. The event stretches across two states from the Mississippi River on the west to Lake Michigan on the east, goes north to the Stevens Point & Green Bay in Wisconsin, and south to I-80 in Illinois.Each shop is required to have an “in-store” promotion for the weekend, and many shops go beyond just complimentary refreshments (like mimosas and dessert treats). “We encourage the shops to create a day unlike the other 363 days of the year,” says Campos. As a result, shoppers will find fun promotions like “pop a balloon” or “spin the wheel” to determine their discount, door prizes, meet-the-maker, paint demos, live music, food trucks, and free swag bags just for stopping in. Others create punch cards promotions to get people moving around their region, hire live music and invite food trucks to park in their lots. All shops will be ready and waiting to greet new faces to their store and provide the shoppers with the best in customer service. Many of the shops are set in historic and unique buildings, in downtowns, villages, and the countryside brimming with history which sets them apart from their competitors in strip malls. Step into Gracie’s Hutch in Stoddard, Wisconsin where you’ll find a sweet shop filled with primitives, vintage and sweet home decor housed in a quaint 1860 Methodist church. Visit a 1925 label-printing company that now houses trend + relic, a gorgeous home decor shop filled to the brim with furniture, antiques, on-trend decor, jewelry, and seasonal fun. “These shop owners are very passionate about the history of their antiques as well as their buildings. In order to compete with the big box stores, small business owners must be creative in their marketing efforts and work extra hard to get noticed,” Campos said. “I’m just happy I can help them out by using my experience to bring customers to their doorstep with this fun shopping event. To my knowledge, it’s the biggest event of its kind in the Midwest.”Road trip planning for the Vintage Shop Hop is made easy with the interactive Google Map and Master List of Shops. The Google Map includes all shop details that can be accessed on mobile devices while shoppers are traveling the area. The list and map are both found on the event’s blog page 24/7/365 and can be printed off www.vintageshophop.blogspot.com or follow the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/VintageShopHopEvent. The Google Map can be linked to here: https://bit.ly/OctoberShopHopMap

Spooky season is finally HERE! And there is no better way to kick it off than with a haunted house! Thankfully, one of Illinois's top haunted houses just opened. Twisted Crypt has been voted one of the top ten haunted houses in Illinois by HauntedIllinois.com! There are over 10,000 square feet of scary twists and turns to discover. With 10 interactive showrooms, you never run out of things to scare the pants off of you! After being closed due to the pandemic in 2020, Twisted Crypt is back this fall and has had an ENTIRE year to think of new and twisted ways to terrify you! Starting next weekend, they will be open Friday and Saturday from 6:30 to 11:30 and Sundays from 6:30-10 with $15 admission! So head out to Twisted Crypt at 5420 E State St to kick off the Halloween festivities! You won’t want to miss out on all of the fear, chaos, and mystery that Twisted Crypt has to offer!

It’s finally the end of the work week and it’s another weekend with SOOOO much going on! There’s a Golf Play Day, Culture Shock’s 15th Anniversary, a Fall Fest, a Rib Cookout and SO MUCH MORE! Seriously, there are so many great options to fill your days with this weekend!Friday:Golf Play Day - Keep Northern Illinois BeautifulTime: 9 AM - 5 PMLocation: Timber Pointe Golf ClubPrice: $125Rockford Outdoor City MarketTime: 3:30 PM - 7:30 PMLocation: Rockford City MarketPrice: FreeEmo Night - 5BarTime: 5 PM - 12 AMLocation: 5BarPrice: FreeNickelodeon Trivia Night - The Pottery LoungeTime: 6 PM - 8 PMLocation: The Pottery LoungePrice: $10Saturday:Free Self-Guided Hikes - Rockford Park DistrictTime: 10 AM - 2 PMLocation: Atwood CenterPrice: FreeStory Time With RPL - Rockford Art MuseumTime: 10 AM - 10:30 AMLocation: Rockford Art MuseumPrice: FreeThe Great Rockton Race - Sugar BritchesTime: 10 AM - 1 PMLocation: Sugar BritchesPrice: $30Culture Shock’s 15th Anniversary - Culture ShockTime: 11 AM - 6 PMLocation: Culture ShockPrice: FreeFall Fest - Creatively Crafted By ChelseyTime: 11 AM - 5 PMLocation: Crimson RidgePrice: FreeMimosas & Yoga - 5BarTime: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PMLocation: 5BarPrice: FreeTarot Readings With David Skywatcher - Wolf HollowTime: 12 PM - 7 PMLocation: Wolf HollowPrice: $10Oktoberfest Celebration - Pig MindsTime: 12 PM - 9 PMLocation: Pig MindsPrice: FreeToga Party - 5BarTime: 5 PM - 12 AMLocation: 5BarPrice: FreeSunday:Snow White Painting Party - The Pottery LoungeTime: 10 AM - 12 PMLocation: The Pottery LoungePrice: $30Yoga Event - Rockton Sanctuary SpaTime: 9 AM - 10 AM, 10:15 AM - 11:15 AMLocation: Rockton Sanctuary SpaPrice: FreeSemi Annual Rib Cookout/2 Year Anniversary - Cattle & CreamTime: 11 AM - 3 PMLocation: Cattle & CreamPrice: FreeHistoric Iris Sale - Midway Village MuseumTime: 11 AM - 3 PMLocation: Midway Village MuseumPrice: FreeFall Fest - Creatively Crafted By ChelseyTime: 11 AM - 5 PMLocation: Crimson RidgePrice: FreeWitch and Stitch: Make Your Own Intention Dolls - Wolf HollowTime: 12 PM - 4 PMLocation: Wolf HollowPrice: $60Louis C.K. - Coronado Performing Arts CenterTime: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PMLocation: Coronado Performing Arts CenterPrice: $30 - $75

This year is the 10th annual Tour De North End Bike Festival in Rockford! The Tour De North End is a bicycle festival in Rockford that features over a dozen local businesses and encourages people to learn about bike safety, sharing the road, get outside, and see the North End neighborhood in Rockford as a bike-friendly area. It’s all happening this Saturday, September 25th, so make sure you check out the details below and grab your favorite bike!TDNE riders will register/check-in at the Olympic Tavern at 11 am-1 pm while House Brotherhood DJs spin live vinyl, then at 1 pm they’ll head out to 15+ other North End locations to collect passport stamps — the more stamps collected, the more chances to win prizes at the end of the fest. Riders should return to The Olympic Tavern to redeem passports for entry tickets from 430-6 pm while dancing to The Stevee Nixx — no passports will be redeemed after 6:01 pm! Then at 6:30 pm, we will draw tickets for one lucky rider to take home a New Belgium Fat Tire Bicycle, while others will play more mini-games and win gift baskets and prizes, as as well as prizes for craziest bike, the best group costume, and more, courtesy of North End neighborhood businesses & New Belgium Brewery. Preregister online at https://tourdenorthend.com/ or riders can buy a ticket at the check-in tent on the day of the event from 11 am-1:30 pm. Two dollars from every rider’s entry fee will go directly to a Rockford cycling charity/cause — this year our recipient is Rockford United Way’s ROLLIN’ STRONG program, a program that teaches at-risk youths how to repair and build bikes.TDNE is a rain or shine event. Riders should dress for the weather and bring a bike lock, water bottle, and helmet (and lots of friends)! There will be other cycling events throughout the day (bike safety & "how-to/fix-it” demos from Kegel’s Bicycle Store, slow ride competition, trackstand competition, etc). Families with kids are encouraged to join the festival but per state law children under 21 may not win prizes. The day’s schedule of events and more info are available at TOURDENORTHEND.COM and the Tour De North End Facebook page. Riders can email info@theolympictavern.com for any further questions.The TDNE would not be possible without the generous help of all the participating businesses in Rockford’s North End, New Belgium Brewing Company, the entire crew at Kegels’ Bicycle Shop, alderman Gina Meeks, the RMAP (Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning) the Rockford Police Department, Greg Lang & Fatherless design, and all our volunteers & sponsors. 2021 Participating Passport Stops:The Olympic Tavern Mulligan's Pub & Grill The NorwegianRathskeller RockfordThe North Main BarRockford Billiard CafeMrs. Fisher's Potato Chips Village Green Home and Garden Whiskeys RoadhouseRockford SkateCo Deli Italia and Pizzeria/Catering on North Main Street Bicycle ConnectionRockford Family DentalNickelworldStockyard Rock Burger Bar Kegel's Bicycle Store

If you’re looking for somewhere a little outside of Rockford but still in the 815 that’s a brewery, has great wood-fired pizza, amazing cheese curds, and a lovely outdoor dining area right on the Rock River…well you’re in luck because it EXISTS! It’s a little place called Hairy Cow Brewing Company located in Byron and it is DELICIOUS. They have a wonderful selection of beer on tap that you are sure to fall in love with. The best way to find your favorite is by ordering a flight. They also have a pumpkin beer this fall to get you in the Halloween spirit!They have 22 amazing wood-fired pizza options on the menu (my personal favorite is the Green-Eyed Blonde, minus the olives, add goat cheese). You literally cannot make a mistake on this menu because all of their pizzas are so dang good! Oh…and if you’re a cheese curd lover, you’re going to want to make the drive to Byron because this place has UNBEATABLE curds. Seriously, who doesn’t want a heaping plate of giant cheese curds with a light flaky breading? And for dessert, you can gorge yourself on one of their many delicious cheesecake options, like CINNAMON ROLL! Here’s a picture of their pizza of the month, BLT pizza!If you need one more reason to go to this amazing place, there’s also a great outdoor deck off the back of the restaurant with stunning views of the river! It’s the perfect place to sit and watch the sunset with your beer and pizza!

Happy Fri-YAY!! There is soooo much happening this weekend that we have to list EVERYTHING! There’s a few big events happening too! World War II Days and Greenwich Village Art Fair just to name a couple! Have fun this weekend!Friday:Mosaic World Film Festival - Rockford Public LibraryTime: 10 AM - 9 PMLocation: The Nordlof CenterPrice: FreeThe 2021 Around The World Oktoberfest Golf Outing - Winnebago County CASATime: 1 PM - 5 PMLocation: Forest Hills Country ClubPrice: $150 - $550Rockford Outdoor City MarketTime: 3:30 PM - 7:30 PMLocation: Rockford City MarketPrice: FreeTinker Visions in the Gardens - Tinker Swiss CottageTime: 4 PM - 6 PMLocation: Tinker Swiss CottagePrice: $30Sports Ball Jersey Night - 5BarTime: 5 PM - 12 AMLocation: 5BarPrice: FreeGlow In The Garden - Rockford Park DistrictTime: 6 PM - 9 PMLocation: Nicholas ConservatoryPrice: FreeSaturday:World War II Days - Midway Village MuseumTime: Saturday and Sunday 10 AM - 4 PMLocation: Midway Village MuseumPrice: $92021 Greenwich Village Art Fair - Rockford Art MuseumTime: 10 AM - 8 PMLocation: Rockford Art MuseumPrice: $5Free Self-Guided Hikes - Rockford Park DistrictTime: 10 AM - 2 PMLocation: Atwood CenterPrice: FreeMosaic World Film Festival - Rockford Public LibraryTime: 10 AM - 9 PMLocation: The Nordlof CenterPrice: FreeMimosas & Yoga - 5BarTime: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PMLocation: 5BarPrice: FreePodcasts, Haunted Houses and Psychics - Oh My! Live Podcast - Wolf HollowTime: 12 PM - 5 PMLocation: Wolf HollowPrice: FreePlant Swap - Rockford Public LibraryTime: 1 PM - 3 PMLocation: Rockford Public LibraryPrice: FreeHere We Go, A-Fossiling - Rockford Park DistrictTime: 1 PM - 3 PMLocation: Atwood ParkPrice: FreeSuperhero Saturday - 5BarTime: 5 PM - 12 AMLocation: 5BarPrice: FreeTsukimi Moon Viewing Tea Ceremony - Anderson Japanese GardensTime: 7:30 PM - 11:30 PMLocation: Anderson Japanese GardensPrice: $35 - $40The Detour Comedy Night - FATS ProductionsTime: 8 PM - 10 PMLocation: FATS ProductionsPrice: FreeSo You Wanna Be A Paranormal Investigator - Wolf HollowTime: 8 PM - 10 PMLocation: Wolf HollowPrice: FreeSunday:Mosaic World Film Festival - Rockford Public LibraryTime: 10 AM - 9 PMLocation: The Nordlof CenterPrice: Free

Why wait until the weekend to have all your fun? Hidden Creek Estate’s wine bar is now open every Wednesday through Friday from 5-9 PM! Hidden Creek Estates is a new wedding and event venue that opened late this summer in Roscoe, but you don’t have to book an event to enjoy a lovely evening on their property, they have a fully functioning wine bar with live music and food trucks every week! Their speakeasy-themed wine bar is the perfect place to unwind after a long day of work. They have a sommelier on staff who can recommend the best glass of wine for you based on your taste. You can enjoy that glass of wine in the wine bar or you can take it outside to peruse around their stunning grounds at your leisure. Don’t worry, you won’t have to drink wine on an empty stomach because Hidden Creek also hosts a variety of food trucks each week! The food trucks at Hidden Creek this week are Pizza Fresca, Lil Frank’s BBQ, and TLK. Pizza Fresca (pictured) is a delicious wood-fired pizza food truck that is sure to satisfy any craving. Lil Frank’s BBQ is exactly what it sounds like, amazing fall-off-the-bone meat with a delicious BBQ sauce. TLK is a unique take on a taco truck which a Philly cheesesteak quesadilla and fries! But these are only the options for THIS WEEK, so make sure you’re following along on their Instagram and Facebook for their weekly wine bar updates!While good food and wine are more than enough to hold my attention, Hidden Creek also has live music at all of their wine bar hours! Each week they have new live music for you to enjoy alongside your wine and food! So don’t save your fun for the weekend! Head out to Hidden Creek Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 5-9 for a relaxing evening of wine, food, and music!

GUYS! I just had the BEST grilled cheese of my life! Maybe I’m biased because I’m obsessed with grilled cheese, BUT, this grilled cheese combines two of the greatest things on the planet…Grilled cheese (obviously)FRENCH ONION SOUPLike, oh my GOD! The genius who invented this deserves to be in the history books next to Albert Einstein. Maybe you’re racking your brain right now trying to figure out how this unbelievable combination works, but, don’t worry, I'm going to break it down for you.So it all starts on two slices of perfectly crisp sourdough bread. That’s right, this isn’t some flimsy white or wheat deal; this bread has integrity, stability, and a delicious crunch. Then they pile on the gruyere and mozzarella cheese, ALONG WITH…yep here we go…deliciously juicy caramelized onions dripping in broth.If your mouth isn’t watering already, just wait until you hear what else comes with it. A SIDE OF AU JUS! AKA basically a French onion soup broth. It is to DIE for guys! You already have the perfect grilled cheese, but then you get to dip it in a salty, oniony broth that completes the masterpiece.Overall this grilled cheese is a 10/10. The sheer gooey goodness of the grilled cheese followed by a mouthwatering dip in au jus is enough to bring anyone to their knees. However, my breath still smells like caramelized onions a few hours later, but I promise you it is absolutely worth it! Oh, and you might be wondering where you can get this heavenly creation…Crust & Crumbles! Their bakers/chefs must be a mixture of genius and angel to have created such a sandwich because no mortal being could have just whipped this up. So head to Crust & Crumbles on Madison St. to try it!

Ladies and gentlemen…the weekend. Rockford is excited to present some amazing activities for you all (as usual)! This weekend you can show off your thumb wrestling skills at 5Bar, honor and remember 9/11 with The Pomodoro, and ride your bike on an empty Second St! There are so many great events to pick from this weekend! Let us know what activities you filled your weekend with!On Friday at 8:00 pm, 5Bar is hosting a Thumb Wrestling Tournament! So Stretch out those thumbs, eat some protein, and prepare to dominate your opponent…well your opponent’s thumb. The tournament is FREE, and 5Bar is giving away prizes for first place (obviously) AND the best-dressed thumb! So you don’t necessarily have to have the beefiest thumb in the 815 to win; you can also win if your thumb is a fashionista! Don’t miss it! Plus, you and your winning thumb can enjoy a fancy drink together afterward!On Saturday at 11:00 am, The Pomodoro would like to honor first responders for the 20th anniversary of 9/11 with a free lunch! Show your military, police department, fire department, or first responder I.D. and enjoy one of their favorites: Fettuccine Alfredo or Rigatoni Pomodoro with a choice of soup or house salad on the house. They will be serving between 11 AM and 4 PM for dine-in only. But even if you aren’t a first responder, head to The Pomodoro to help honor and remember the brave men and women who risked or lost their lives on 9/11.On Sunday at 8:00 am, join Rocktown Adventures for Cycle on Second! This is the third annual Cycle on Second event presented by Crimson Valley Landscaping! This awesome biking event means you get a few hours to ride your bike on a street normally dominated by cars! Ride car-free on southbound N 2nd Street between Auburn and State Street from 8 - 10 a.m.These are only a few of the awesome activities and events going on in Rockford this weekend, so make sure you check out https://rockfordbuzz.com/events for more!

The leaves are starting to change color!! Well not really, but we can dream right?! They will soon though, so that means it’s time to decorate for fall! There are so many local options for all of your fall decor needs. From boho to spooky, Rockford has got your back yet again! It’s time to get your to-do list and your monthly budget out because we're breaking down the BEST places to do your fall decor shopping this year in Rockford!The Midwest Rustic:UMMMM we can’t even deal with how cute The Midwest Rustic’s boho-chic fall decor is! Your house will be the epitome of warm and cozy with their adorable fabric pumpkins and a sweater weather mug!Mary’s By Design:If you love fall but like to keep it classy, then Mary’s By Design has everything you’re looking for! They keep it simple and elegant with their decor so your home can look like something out of a magazine! Just the perfect touch of fall to compliment their stunning furniture and year-round decor.Petals & Pickin’s:Country chic and homey, Petals & Pickin’s is the perfect place to create your dream fall tablescape! Not only can you get lovely decor pieces for your home, but you can also get a fall-themed centerpiece that will wow any guest!Crimson Ridge:Crimson Ridge has every little trinket and decor item your heart desires! Their little pumpkins are the perfect pieces to complete any mantle or end table in your home! Their selection of decor is absolutely limitless, so be prepared to spend MANY hours and dollars there…but we know you will loooovveee doing it.Wolf Hollow:If you only love fall because it's an excuse to openly express your love for all things spooky, we’re right there with you. Wolf Hollow is the expert in spooky year-round, but they have a special place in their hearts for the Halloween season and turn everything up a notch. Their spooky mugs are the best way to enjoy a pumpkin spice coffee and a horror movie on the couch!Meyer's Tails Up Farm:You might be shocked to see a doggy daycare/boarding facility on this list but HOLY MOLY, this place is exploding with adorable fall decor! Meyer's Tails Up Farm has a lovely boutique in Roscoe loaded with adorable decor items! AND cute seasonal items for your pups as well!

It’s September, and that means cooler weather, apple orchards, and Fall festivities! We wanted to compile a list of some of the fall markets and fairs happening in September so you don’t miss out on any of the fun events! From art fairs to farmer's markets, there’s something for everyone! The best way to celebrate the start of fall is going to a market to buy all of the fall scented candles, apples, pumpkins, art, vintage decor, and anything else you can find! We don’t judge. We know the equivalent of Spring Cleaning is Fall Shopping!!Main Street MarketWhere: Boone County FairgroundsWhen: September 11th from 9 AM - 4 PMMain Street Market is an open-air market hosted by Rockford’s very own Urban Farmgirl on the beautiful grounds of the Boone County Fairgrounds, Belvidere, IL. Shop over 150 vendors from across the Midwest including handmade artisans, purveyors of vintage goods, and boutique shops – while enjoying some of the best local food & music.Greenwich Village Art FairWhere: Rockford Art MuseumWhen: September 18th from 10 AM - 6 PMThe 73rd Greenwich Village Art Fair will be a one-day outdoor event at Rockford Art Museum that will feature juried artists, live music by local musicians, children's art activities, a local marketplace, food and drink, and much more. Established in 1948, GVAF is the longest-running art fair of its kind in the Midwest. All artwork on display at Greenwich Village Art Fair is original and produced entirely by the hands of the exhibiting artist.Rockford Midtown MarketWhere: Rockford Midtown MarketWhen: Thursdays in September from 9 AM - 1 PMYour Neighborhood Farmer's Market returns for 2021! Every Thursday from June 3-September 30, 2021 from 9 AM-1 PM. Corner of 6th Street and 4th Avenue in the RPS 205 Parking Lot. Great farm-fresh food and much more! Bike-friendly, pet-friendly, family-friendly, neighborhood-friendly.2nd Annual Fall Market in the ParkWhere: Byron DragwayWhen: September 25th from 9 AM - 1 PMJoin us for our 2nd Annual Fall Market In The Park at Byron Dragway! Market in the Park is a popular local vendor event that brings together local bakers, makers, boutique clothing, fresh floral, candles, home decor, crafts, creations, and so much more!Edgebrook Farmers MarketWhere: Edgebrook RockfordWhen: Wednesdays in September from 9 AM - 4 PM--Every Wednesday, May 5 through October 27, 9a-1p--Sample the area’s best seasonal farmer's market! At the Edgebrook Farmers Market, local farmers display their highest quality vegetables, fruits, flowers, and plants as well as fresh baked breads & sweet treats, honey, farm fresh eggs, jams and jellies, and more.Fall Outdoor MarketWhere: 721 N Stillman Rd, Oregon, ILWhen: September 25th from 9 AM - 4 PMThe 2nd annual Fall Outdoor Market is a great fall event featuring local vendors with all of your favorite items! The best way to spend a Fall day is by supporting local artists and vendors!Find more activities for this Fall at: https://rockfordbuzz.com/events

This weekend has activities for everyone! If you like to enjoy a chill night with live music, hit up Pig Minds on Friday for the Hi Fi Superstar Duo. If you want to take the kids out for a fun art and reading activity, then Saturday at the Rockford Art Museum will be perfect! And if you’re the adventurous type, then you HAVE to go on the Rocktown Adventures paddle trip!On Friday at 6:00 pm, The Hi Fi Superstar Duo is at Pig Minds! Pig Minds is a delicious FULLY VEGAN restaurant a brewery! They just recently added Beyond Chicken Tenders to their menu for you to try as well as a Mac n’ Cheese and Italian Beef Pizza! Their happy hour is Monday-Friday from 3 to 6 pm with $1 off select pints! So make Friday night a fun one by kicking back with a beer and some vegan pizza and listening to some great live music by The Hi Fi Superstar Duo!On Saturday at 10:00 am, take the kids to storytime at Rockford Art Museum! The Rockford Public Library and The Rockford Art Museum have teamed up to create a half-hour storytime and an art activity to follow! Advanced registration is not necessary and the program is free! This Saturday will be the first of five Story Times starting now and going until November 27th!On Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, join Rocktown Adventures on a paddle trip down the Sugar River! This two-hour paddle trip lets you enjoy the scenic countryside of wooded banks and secluded backwater areas. This trip is not considered expert level but it ALSO is not considered beginner. There is a deadfall to navigate and some intermediate boat control will be required. Contact Rocktown Adventures with any questions!These are only a few of the awesome activities and events going on in Rockford this weekend, so make sure you check out https://rockfordbuzz.com/events for more!

WOOHOO! Cherry Valley Feed and Supplies is turning 20! And boy do they know how to throw a birthday party, because, for the entire month of September, Cherry Valley Feed and Supplies will be having discounts, deals, giveaways, and MORE! Founded in 2001 by Kurt and Anita Luckey, Cherry Valley Feed and Supplies strives to offer the best animal feed and supplies in the area. They have always offered a wide range of the best-of-the-best brands for any animal you have! They also deliver Monday-Friday to anywhere within a 50-mile radius of Rockford, which signifies their top-notch customer service. They highly value genuine connections and relationships with their customers because they know that’s what builds an honest company! They take care of you and your animals like they would a neighbor or friend, so you can always trust their quality products.During the month of September, there will be weekly deals and drawings as well as a grand prize drawing on the 31st that includes free Exclusive or Infinia for ONE YEAR, 1 TON of Ultium horse feed, and TWO 65 inch flat screen TVs! You will not want to miss out on this celebration. 20 years of providing great quality and care to the people and animals of Rockford deserves a BIG congrats! So stop in any day during September and take advantage of Cherry Valley Feed and Supplies 20th birthday deals!

Since Thursday was National Dog Day, we thought it would be a great time to tell you about some of the best places in the 815 for your furry friends to shop, get pampered, or take a vacation! Even dogs like to #ShopLocal and support the 815 so spoil your dogs and Rockford by taking them to any of the spots below!Meyer’s Tails Up Farm:If your dog needs a little vacation, Meyer’s is the place to go! They do lodging, grooming, daycare, and training! They’re situated on 18 acres of land for your dogs to run and play! They also have a pool for your pooch to kick backend relax with their sunglasses and a pool floaty. Their staff will love your dog like their own as their main goal is to provide the highest level of care, cleanliness, and safety!https://www.meyerstailsupfarm.comDog Paddle Beach:Dog Paddle Beach is the perfect place for your fur baby to take a dip! It is an indoor pool with 90-degree water to provide the most relaxing and comfortable experience possible for your dog! Swimming can be a great way to keep senior dogs active without injuring their joints or getting rid of excess energy in a puppy! The pool is open year-round and your pooch will love always love a fun trip to Dog Paddle Beach!http://www.dogpaddlebeach.comBowties Pet Salon:If your dog needs a new hairdo or a mani/pedi, Bowties Pet Salon is there for whatever needs your pet has! The staff at Bowties Pet Salon knows how to make your pet the most beautiful/handsome they have ever been!https://www.facebook.com/BowtiesPetSalon/My Pet Food Store:My Pet Food Store in Loves Park was voted one of the top 5 pet stores in the 815! It's the perfect place for your pets to do their grocery shopping! They carry the best and top-rated all-natural pet foods, treats, chews, and supplies! They focus on holistic, natural, and organic pet foods because they know how important your pet’s health is to you!https://www.mypetfoodstore.comBark on Mulford:This is the store that your dog will always want to go to for new outfits and toys! This lovely little dog boutique on Mulford has all of the cutest dog clothes, collars, leashes, and toys! Make your pet an absolute fashionista at Bark on Mulford!https://www.barkonmulford.comCherry Valley Feed and Supplies:Cherry Valley Feed and Supplies is a great place for feeding ALL of your critters big and small! Not only can they feed your actual puppies but they also have food for your grass puppies (aka horses, chickens, goats, and whatever else you’ve got)! https://cherryvalleyfeedandsupplies.comCherry Valley Holistics:If you like to feed your dogs raw food, Cherry Valley Holistics is a great spot for you! They source all products from local farms that use sustainable and humane farming practices, so you know your pooch is getting the best of the best! Nothing says I love you to a dog like a delicious beef heart!https://cherryvalleyholistics.comCanine Crunchery:Going to the Canine Crunchery is like going to a coffee shop but for your dog! They get to enjoy the aroma of their favorite thing, the thing that wakes them up in the morning, motivates their every achievement…TREATS! Freshly baked treats at that! Canine Crunchery is Rockford’s premier dog treat bakery! They have a fantastic selection of treats for a variety of different dietary needs!https://thecaninecrunchery.com

Happy Friday everyone!! The format for this weekend roundup is going to be a little different because there is SO much happening this weekend and we don’t want to leave anything out! So instead of going into a lot of detail about a few events, I'm going to list EVERYTHING! Most of these events are happening TODAY, so get out there and attend some rockin’ Rockford events and activities!!Friday:Coffee With The Curator - Rockford Art MuseumTime: 10 - 11 AMLocation: Rockford Art MuseumPrice: FreeFall Open House - The Midwest RusticTime: 10 AM - 9 PMLocation: The Midwest RusticPrice: FreeAll Shooter’s Playday - Shooters Tap RoomTime: 10:30 AM Shotgun StartLocation: Swan Hills Golf CoursePrice: $110 - $550815 School Supply Drive With Q98.5 On-Site And Blake Shelton Ticket Giveaway - MembersAlliance Credit UnionTime: 12 PM - 2 PMLocation: MembersAlliance Credit UnionPrice: DonationIntro to SUP - Rocktown AdventuresTime: 3 PM - 5 PMLocation: Olson Beach Lake - Rock Cut State ParkPrice: $40Rockford Outdoor City MarketTime: 3:30 PM - 7:30 PMLocation: Rockford City MarketPrice: FreeTour and Tasting - Barnstormer DistilleryTime: Friday - Sunday Multiple HoursLocation: Barnstormer DistilleryPrice: FreeNot Quite Glitzy Books & More Sale - WomanspaceTime: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PMLocation: WomanspacePrice: FreeThe Danny Parker Project - Pig MindsTime: 6 PM - 9 PMLocation: Pig MindsPrice: FreeCeramic Heirloom Tree Painting Party - The Pottery LoungeTime: 6 PM - 8 PMLocation: The Pottery LoungePrice: $50Ski Broncs Water Ski Show - Ski BroncsTime: 7 PM - 9 PMLocation: Ski BroncsPrice: FreeFriday Night Flix At The Coronado: The Croods - A New Age - Coronado Performing Arts CenterTime: 7 PM - 9 PMLocation: Coronado Performing Arts CenterPrice: FreeSaturday:Not Quite Glitzy Books & More Sale - WomanspaceTime: 8 AM - 5 PMLocation: WomanspacePrice: FreeSaturday Fun on the Farm - Rockford Park DistrictTime: 10 AM - 4 PMLocation: Lockwood ParkPrice: FreeMimosas & Yoga - 5BarTime: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PMLocation: 5BarPrice: Free2021 Crossroads Summer Music - Rockford Park DistrictTime: 1 PM - 6 PMLocation: Lyran ParkPrice: $10Miles Over Mountains - Pig MindsTime: 6 PM - 9 PMLocation: Pig MindsPrice: FreeThe Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute - Coronado Performing Arts CenterTime: 8 PM - 10 PMLocation: Coronado Performing Arts CenterPrice: $30 - $53Fiesta Time! End of Summer Party! - Screw City TavernTime: 8 PM - 10 PMLocation: Screw City TavernPrice: FreeSunday:Not Quite Glitzy Books & More Sale - WomanspaceTime: 11 AM - 3 PMLocation: WomanspacePrice: FreeIngersoll Golf Sunday Fun Days - Rockford Park DistrictTime: 3 PM - 8 PMLocation: Ingersoll Golf CoursePrice: $5Sinnissippi Golf Sunday Fun Days - Rockford Park DistrictTime: 3 PM - 8 PMLocation: Sinnissippi Golf CoursePrice: $5

The Olympic Tavern is celebrating 75 years in business! Founded in 1945 by Anthony Rotello, The Olympic Tavern was originally a 12 stool bar that served local businessmen and factory workers a burger and beer. Over the course of its 75 years in business, it has transformed into the 250+ seat restaurant that Rockford knows and loves today. Their menu ranges from burgers and pizza to steaks, pasta, and salmon as well as a large selection of beer on draft! Their recipe for success is to listen to the customer and always deliver more than expected. Technically their 75th year was in 2020, but due to the pandemic, they were unable to celebrate in person so they have partnered with Joe Tallman Illustration to create the perfect merch to celebrate their anniversary this year! Here's one of their awesome styles!BUT their merch sale and pre-order ends TODAY! There will be no other time to snag one of these awesome pieces so if you want to help The Olympic Tavern celebrate their 75 years in business head to https://the-olympic-tavern.myshopify.com/ to order your merch RIGHT NOW! SERIOUSLY…GO RIGHT NOWWWW!

It’s National Bao day everyone! And you know what that means, it’s time to BAO DOWN to the bao! Bao is a steamed meat/veggie-filled bun dish that originated in North China! These delicious savory meals have been gaining a lot of popularity recently for their versatile and fun street-food qualities. Bao can be filled and shaped similar to a dumpling, or be folded and filled taco style! The bao bun is a smooth and fluffy steamed bun that tastes like a perfect blank canvas for whatever is inside. They can often be tricky to make perfectly and need several hours to rise but it is SOOO worth it for their amazing texture! But of course, we can’t talk about bao without talking about Rockford’s very own Octane! I'm going to insert a mouth-watering photo of one of the bao variations on their menu below!ALSOOO, Octane recently launched its very own food truck KA-BAO! (Absolutely genius name, we know!) Their menu consists of three different baos, as well as fries, a kids menu, and beverages (including capris suns, which we think are for the kids, buuuuuuutttttt, I don’t think they would turn down any capris-sun-loving adults)! To stay up to date on all things KA-BAO, you can follow them on Instagram @Kabao815, Twitter @815Kabao, or look for updates on Octane’s Facebook page! Try it out…seriously…they’re to die for!Check out this sponsor at: https://rockfordbuzz.com/octane-interlounge

We hope you love live music and delicious food and drinks because that’s what Rockford has in store this weekend! There will be live music ALL WEEKEND LONG at some of the 815’s best bars! It’s a great weekend for good music and enjoying the weather!Friday:On Friday at 6:00 pm, The Jeremy Smolen Duo is at Pig Minds! Pig Minds is a delicious FULLY VEGAN restaurant a brewery! They just recently added Beyond Chicken Tenders to their menu for you to try as well as a Mac n’ Cheese and Italian Beef Pizza! Their happy hour is Monday-Friday from 3 to 6 pm with $1 off select pints! So make Friday night a fun one by kicking back with a beer and some vegan pizza and listening to some great live music by The Jeremy Smolen Duo!Saturday:On Saturday at 9:00 pm, 5Bar is hosting a Toga House Party with Jon Bon Stamos! They have a specific menu for their August house parties consisting of all the coolest cocktails as well as JELLO SHOT FLIGHTS!! Jon Bon Stamos is a 4-piece band that plays what they call “stolk folk” AKA rock music with a banjo! So reminisce on your college days by dressing up in your finest DIY toga and jamming to a rock band at a house party! But unlike college you won’t be in a dirty basement drinking jungle juice, you will be at a funky bar with fun adult cocktails that aren't mixed in a giant Gatorade cooler!Sunday:On Sunday at 2:00 pm, chill at Screw City Tavern with deLaney on the Patio! Kick back, relax, and enjoy an afternoon of good music, food, beer, and warm weather at Screw City Tavern! While you’re there, you can try the Brisket Mac and Cheese that Jake reviewed for you last week! You won’t regret eating some delicious meaty Mac while enjoying a warm day and good tunes!These are only a few of the awesome activities and events going on in Rockford this weekend, so make sure you check out https://rockfordbuzz.com/events for more!

If you live in or around Rockford, then I’m sure at some point you have seen something about sock monkeys. Or maybe you have no idea what I’m talking about. Either way, if you want to learn about the history of the Rockford Sock Monkey, keep on reading! I PROMISE, this won’t sound like a boring history lesson, I mean how could it possibly be boring in the first place? It’s about SOCKS!!So basically, back in 1857, a guy named John Nelson and his family moved to Rockford and Nelson was so sad and bored with his life because he was a carpenter and cabinet maker when his unrealized passion was actually SOCKS. But one day he decided to invent a home knitting machine in his shop, and this is where life really started to look up for John Nelson because a couple of really rich people (Ralph Emerson and W. A. Talcott) decided to help Nelson develop his knitting machine by investing a little bit of their cash money into the project! When Nelson’s machine was officially developed and patented in 1871, it could knit 80 pairs of socks in ONE DAY!! (I know what you’re thinking, 80 pairs of socks?? Big whoop! But in 1871, this was probably a big deal.)Unfortunately, John Nelson’s life took a pretty sharp dive in 1883 when he died of typhoid pneumonia, but hopefully he didn’t die with too many regrets cause he had a pretty successful life and unknowingly led to the creation of the sock monkey! After Nelson died, his family took over ownership and operations of his legacy, Forest City Knitting. During World War I, Forest City Knitting really ramped their numbers up and started producing nearly 3,000 pairs of socks per day for the army! Also during this same time, over 60% of their employees were women! (WHOOP WHOOP GIRL POWER!) One day in 1932, the Lord himself blessed a man by the name of Howard Monk with the most genius idea he has ever had. Howard Monk, the Rockford advertising executive, suggested that Forest City Knitting add a red heel to the Nelson sock to make it stand out from competitors. Shortly after, Forest City Knitting was producing 4,000 pairs of red heel socks a day. A SERIOUS step up from their numbers in 1871!SO, this fancy new red heel inspired a few people to make a certain children’s toy out of their old socks…I think you know where I'm going with this. A woman from Colorado named Helen Cooke got a patent for the sock monkey in 1953, but when she found out a man named Stanley Levy from Denver, Colorado was selling sock monkeys in his shop, she wanted to SUE him for stealing her idea. Stanley Levy reached out to the Nelson Knitting Company and said “Hey guys, this girl from Colorado is trying to sue me for selling sock monkeys in my shop made out of your socks because she thinks she invented the idea in 1953, do you wanna help me prove her wrong?”, and Nelson Knitting Company said “ACTUALLY this genius woman from Rockford by the name of Grace Winget made the OG sock monkey for her grandson in 1951! So therefore the patent belongs to us!”…well, at least I think that’s how the conversation went. But in 1970 the patent for the sock monkey expired, so now everyone can make sock monkeys!Now you can officially consider yourself educated on the history of the Rockford sock monkey! You’re welcome! Well, actually you can thank Midway Village Museum because they have a much more thorough and professional sounding history of the sock monkey on their website, so make sure you check that out!Source: http://midwayvillage.com/pdfs/Sock-Monkey-Resource-Packet.pdf

The title says it all...It's Brisket. It's Barbeque Sauce. And it's LOADED on top of an amazing mac n' cheese.I'm gonna give you a minute to find yourself a napkin and wipe that drool off of your face before I continue.Before I answer the question you're asking me right now (Where on God's green earth can I find this heavenly creation?), I'm gonna tease you with further adjectives.As the menu describes, it's a classic tavern style mac. They use the superior form of noodles. None of that elbow nonsense you dealt with as a child. Nope! These are giant spiral noodles with tons of space for cheesy goodness. Speaking of cheese, it's amazing. We've all had the lackluster mac with cheese that's not very cheesy. This is NOT the case. The cheese is a delectable beer cheese and it's to die for.This cheesy, noodley, masterpiece is then topped with barbecue sauce, beef brisket, and pickled onions. Making an already superior mac experience the king of 815 Macs! The Loaded Brisket Mac n' Cheese. THE KING, I SAY!!!Okay okay okay. You've been patient enough. You can head to Screw City Tavern to give your tastebuds this heavenly experience. Of course, you probably arrived here from social media and already knew this from us tagging their social page. But I couldn't resist having a little fun.Now go on! Head to Screw City Tavern. Grab some deliciousness. And support one of our beautiful sponsors as well. Screw City Tavern Facebook Page

IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR!!! AKA 815 DAY, AKA ROCKFORD DAY, AKA THE BEST DAY IN THE WORLD!! Well okay maybe we’re getting ahead of ourselves there, but it's definitely one of the coolest days in Rockford! 815 Day happens every year on August 15th and is just an awesome day for everyone to celebrate and support Rockford, whether that’s eating at a local restaurant, shopping at a local business, or helping out a local organization! This year, 815 Day falls on a Sunday and since a lot of great local spots are closed on Sundays they’ve decided to celebrate Rockford day for the entire weekend! So this year there are THREE WHOLE DAYS of 815 Day! Ways to Celebrate:There are a lot of ways to celebrate 815 Day, but here are some of our favorites:Wear 815 swag! Any Rockford shirt or local business swag you have, WEAR IT! Take pictures with your friends celebrating the 815 and use the hashtags #815Day2021 or #RockfordDay2021 when you post!Eat at a local restaurant! Support your favorite local restaurants and dine in or carry out from local spots anytime during the weekend!Shop at a local store! Got any birthdays coming up? Want to get a head start on Christmas? Just want to treat yourself? Browse some of Rockford’s local businesses and pick up some unique finds that you just can’t get at a mega-store!Go to an 815 Day event! There are so many fun events going on this weekend to celebrate the 815! Get out there and have fun!Events:If you’ve been reading, then you saw the final bullet point was to go to an 815 Day event. The truth is I could list every event happening and make this article unbearably long. OOORRRR, I could just link you to our events page with the full list of 815 Day things. And because we’re ambitiously lazy over here at Rockford Buzz, I’m going to do the latter. So here you go! https://rockfordbuzz.com/events?category=1467 Deals:Guess what!! There are more than just events going on over 815 Day Weekend. Tons of local businesses are running fun 815 (and 779) themed specials. And just like events, we’ve created a special section on our website for them. Here’s the link to take you there… https://rockfordbuzz.com/deals?category=1466 So after hearing all of the great stuff happening this weekend, we know you CAN’T WAIT for Friday so you can start celebrating! Consider this your cordial invitation to all of the 815 Day festivities and celebrate this awesome community we live in, support the wonderful people who have created businesses here, and most importantly, have fun! If you do document your 815 Day activities, tag #RockfordBuzz so we can see all of you lovely people out there having a blast in the 815!

ATTENTION ALL LADIES!! (and guys too)There's a pool party going on and you're invited!It’s time to relax, meet fantastic and inspiring friends, and show off your favorite vacation, lounge, and poolside ensembles, swimsuits, + accessories! It's one of our last chances to celebrate a fantastic summer. And Toni wants to have everyone celebrate themselves and their authentic beauty at her Whisper Studios Pool Party & Photoshoot! The party is the perfect time for incredible wall art, couples sessions, and group photos!It's not just water and photos though. There's also going to be... a DJ, Snacks (mmmm snacks), Non-Alcoholic Beverages & Mixers Available, and you can spin the Wheel Of Prizes, plus ALL DAY On The Spot Giveaways! (YAY! PRIZES!) The short version is... there's a lot going on!So If you've ever wanted a totally unique photo shoot experience with a ton of pool-side fun, then Toni at Whisper Studios has put together the event for you. The event IS 18+ and co-ed, so bring your hubby too.You can pre-register at Eventbrite at the link below.https://www.eventbrite.com/e/whisper-studios-pool-party-photoshoots

TGIF! It’s weekend again and there’s a lot of fun things happening in Rockford! Let your kids be creative at the Discovery Center Museum, watch some KNIB mud volleyball, walk through the decades at Midway Village Museum, or just chill at Screw City Tavern!On Friday at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm, Discovery Center Museum is hosting Splatter Art! We understand how that sounds, very messy, but that’s why it’s happening at the Discovery Center Museum and not your house! You kids get to be creative, messy and make beautiful splatter art and you aren’t responsible for cleaning up the mess! Doesn’t that sound like heaven? Kids can splatter paint using unusual objects like fly swatters, paper clips, magnets, shaving cream, and more! The cost of this activity is included with museum admission ($9) and is free for members and children ages 1 and younger! So bring your kids and let them make a fun and creative mess!On Saturday, starting at 8:00 am, Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful is having its annual Mud Volleyball Tournament! Unfortunately, the deadline to participate in the tournament has already passed, but you can still go out, drink some beer, and cheer on your favorite team! You will also be supporting KNIB which is an environmental resource center that advocates for waste reduction, recycling, conserving resources, and environmental protection in the Stateline area! Who doesn’t love drinking beer, watching mud volleyball, and supporting a great cause??On Saturday at 11:00 am, Midway Village Museum invites you to Decades: Travel Through Time 1830s - 1970s! You can explore seven different interactive history stations where History Interpreters dressed in period clothing will share stories from the past and educate you about the pop culture and lifestyles of that era. The event also includes performances from Charlotte’s Web Music Venue as well as authentic Mexican cuisine from Tacos El Rey food truck! Admission is only $8-$12 and is free for members!On Sunday at 2:00 pm, chill at Screw City Tavern for their Sunday Grill & Chill with Dario Radio Piano Sing-Along on the Patio! Kick back, relax, and enjoy an afternoon of good music, food, beer, and warm weather at Screw City Tavern!These are only a few of the awesome activities and events going on in Rockford this weekend, so make sure you check out https://rockfordbuzz.com/events for more!