By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — If your calendar is clear this weekend, get ready to fill it up with an abundance of things to do around the Rockford area.
Starting today there are dog walks and garden fairs, multiple musical events, markets and art exhibits.
Find what fits you by perusing our list of 20 things to do below:
Walk your dog through Midtown
About: The monthly Midtown Dog Walk benefitting Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary happens tonight outside Ernie’s Midtown Pub. Vendors Bad Humor Ice Cream Truck, The Canine Crunchery, ACS+ Hemp Dispensary and Inzombia Coffee are on hand with Ernie’s providing food and drinks. Noah’s Ark will have dogs for adoption. The event continues the first Thursday of each month through October.
Where: Ernie’s Midtown Pub, 1025 Fifth Ave., Rockford
When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 1
More news: New downtown Rockford business strives to get youth, families, involved in the arts
Speaking of Midtown
About: The Rockford Midtown Market is back for a fifth season starting today. You can shop for farm fresh produce, pottery, body scrubs, coffee and other services and merchandise. The market runs Thursdays through Sept. 28.
Where: Rockford Public Schools parking lot, 501 Seventh St., Rockford
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, June 1
Info: facebook.com/pg/
Get hot dogs from the dog house
About: To celebrate its 60th anniversary, Portillo’s is bringing it original trailer — the Dog House — around the country. You can spin a wheel for the chance to win prizes, including Portillo’s for a year.
Where: Portillo’s, 6090 E. State St., Rockford
When: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 1
More news: 2 downtown Rockford businesses enter new chapters with move to different storefronts
Hear Sunset Strip in a dockside performance
About: Sunset Strip, an ’80s glam/hair tribute band, performs this week at Dinner on the Dock.
Where: Prairie Street Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., Rockford
When: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, June 1
Admission: Tables for two people to six people are available. Prices start at $25 and go up to $90
Info: psbrewingco.com/event/dinner-on-the-dock-june-1
Hear Music on the Mall
About: Edgebrook Shopping Center’s free weekly summer concert series Music on the Mall begins Friday with a performance by Jodi Beach Trio.
“We’re so excited to welcome the community back for another summer of music and fun,” said Sandy Dingus, Edgebrook marketing and events coordinator. “The start of Music on the Mall is a sure sign of summer, and it’s such a treat to listen to all the different bands each week throughout the season.”
Seating is free at the outdoor event. Lucha Cantina will provide quick-service food.
When: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 2
Where: Edgebrook, 1639 N. Alpine Road, Rockford
Shop Rockford City Market
About: Rockford City Market features music from Jerry Criss Band and The JB Project this week. The market features more than 60 vendors offering produce, baked goods, food, beer, clothing, handmade goods and other merchandise.
Where: Rockford City Market, 116 N. Madison St., Rockford
When: 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday
Info: rockfordcitymarket.com
Watch a movie in Davis Park
About: This week Friday Night Flix kicks off its season of outdoor movie showings on a large screen in Davis Park. This week’s movie is “Tangled,” the animated Disney movie centered around Rapunzel. Friday Night Flix continues July 7 with “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” and Aug. 4 with “Minions: The Rise of Gru.”
Where: Davis Park south lawn, 320 S. Wyman St., Rockford
When: Gates open at 6:30 p.m.; movie starts at dusk (roughly 8:30 p.m.)
Info: thebmocenter.com/davisparkrockford
Admission: Free
Music in Midtown at Inscape Collective
About: Rockford singer and songwriter Matthew Caleb presents an evening of engaging acoustic music in Inscape Collective’s intimate community room.
Where: Inscape Collective, 201 Seventh St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Friday, June 2
New art exhibit celebrates LGBTQ+ artists
About: Queer AF is a new art exhibit that showcases work from more than a dozen LGBTQ+ artists in the Rockford area.
Where: 317 Art Collaborative, 317 Market St., Rockford
When: Opening reception runs 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, June 2. Show continues through July 22
Admission: Free
Related: New art exhibit in Rockford showcases the strength and vibrance of LGBTQ+ artists
Run to support fire safety efforts
About: The Rockford Fire Department will host its 19th annual 9-1-1 Run, a 3K race that raises funds for local fire prevention efforts. The event also raises money for Camp I-Am-Me, an overnight summer camp for children who are burn survivors.
Where: Fire Station 5, 391 N. Trainer Road, Rockford
When: 9:11 a.m. Saturday, June 3
Cool cars and hot coffee in Midtown
About: The monthly Cars & Coffee show will close down two blocks near Katie’s Cup on Seventh Street to make room to showcase all makes and models of cars. Last month’s event had more than 300 cars and 800 people in attendance.
Where: Rockford Public Schools Administrative building parking lots and outside of Katie’s Cup at 502 Seventh St., Rockford.
When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 3
Shop on the sidewalks in downtown Rockton
About: A two-day sidewalk sale will take place at Truly Treasured Gift n’ Thrift and other business in downtown Rockton. On Saturday, the 100 block of Main Street will be blocked off for live music and dancing after 5 p.m.
Where: Participating businesses are located along Main Street, Prairie Street and Hawick Street
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, June 2, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 3
Annual Garden Fair at Klehm Arboretum
About: Experience a variety of plants, flowers, garden decor and art vendors while listening to live music in the Fountain Garden and exploring the grounds at Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden. Vendors are Cantina Taco, Pizza Fresca, Prairie Street Brewing Co., Quixotic Bakery, Sizz N Fizz and The Vintage Goose.
Where: Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 3; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 4
Admission: $8 presale; $10 at the gate
Info: klehm.org/garden-fair-2023
Related: Australian family’s traveling cafe aims to create conversation and ‘sense of community’ in Rockford
Attend the Pride Alley Party
About: The Pride Alley Party celebrates the start of Pride Month with food trucks, live bands, drag queen bingo, an outdoor drag show and multiple vendors selling an array of merchandise.
Where: Outside The Office Nite Club, 513 E. State St., Rockford
When: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 3
Info: Go here
Musical smörgåsbord at Stockholm Inn
About: Janel Nelson and Ron Holm, who comprise the Trinadora Duo, bring their smörgåsbord of songs ranging from vintage and contemporary pop to folk, country, jazz, blues, Latin, Celtic, and variety music to Stockholm Inn.
Where: Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford
When: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 3
Info: trinadora.com/events
Shop the Icehogs year-end garage sale
About: Get discounted Rockford IceHogs apparel, player sticks, authentic jerseys, locker room plates and more memorabilia. Purchases can only be made with credit cards.
When: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 3. (Doors open at 9 a.m. for season ticket holders)
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
Have fun on the farm
About: Lockwood Park’s season Fun on the Farm activities happen Saturdays through Oct. 28. There are a variety of activities including the tractor-drawn wagon ride, pony rides and children’s farm.
Where: Lockwood Park, 5201 Safford Road, Rockford
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
Info: lockwoodpark.com/featured-programs/2023/5/3/saturday-fun-on-the-farm
Stroll Buchanan Street in Belvidere
About: The first Buchanan Street Stroll of the 2023 season kicks off Sunday with food trucks, live music, vendors selling an array of merchandise and kid-friendly activities.
When: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 4
Where: Buchanan Street and Whitney Boulevard in downtown Belvidere
Info: belviderechamber.com/buchanan-street-strolls
Live at Levings (but not at Levings)
About: Live at Levings starts its summer series of music, dance, comedy and other performances this Sunday, but because of construction at Levings Park, the series won’t be at Levings. Instead, it’s at Black Hawk Park. This weekend is Old School Reunion with performances by Sounds of Slave, Harlan Jefferson, Too Deep and Jersey.
Where: Black Hawk Park, 101 15th Ave., Rockford
When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 4
Admission: Free
Catch Concerts on the Creek
About: Mark Dvorak, a Chicago-based troubadour, composer, author, and storyteller, performs at Concerts on the Creek. The event, put on by Spring Creek Church, features different inspirational secular and sacred music one Sunday most months.
Where: Spring Creek Church, 4500 Spring Creek Road
When: 3 p.m. Sunday, June 4
Admission: $5 donation to reserve space ahead of time
Info: Go here