JUNE
Indian Hill Manor Tours
Through Aug. 9, Tues. one-hour tours at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon & 1:30 p.m. This year is the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Indian Hill Manor and Farm. To celebrate the milestone, the manor is open for docent-led tours. Indian Hill Manor and Farm, 6901 Kishwaukee Road, Rockford, (815) 964-6464, indianhillmanor.net.
Rockton River Market
Through Aug. 31, Wed. 4-8 p.m. The Rockton River Market provides a comfortable atmosphere to shop for handmade items, fruits and vegetables. There’s also live music from local musicians. Old Settler’s Park, 200 E. Hawick St., Rockton, Ill., (815) 624-7625, rocktonrivermarket.com.
Edgebrook Farmers Market
Through Oct. 26. Recurring Wed. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Thu. 3-6:30 p.m. Local farmers display the best vegetables, fruits, flowers and plants, baked breads, artisan cheeses, maple syrup, honey, farm-fresh eggs, locally raised free-range meats, jams and jellies, brick-oven pizzas, more. Edgebrook Shops, 1639 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, (815) 398-8957, gorockford.com.
North End City Market
Through Oct. 29. Recurring Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The North End City Market is full of fresh local products and food. Join the community in shopping, eating and socializing. Intersection of N. Main St. & Auburn St., Rockford, (815) 977-5124, rockfordcitymarket.com.
Rockford City Market Paddle
June 17-Aug. 26, recurring every other Friday. Kick off your weekend with a paddling adventure down the Rock River, toward your final destination of Rockford City Market. Rocktown Adventures, 313 N. Madison St., Rockford, (815) 636-9066, rocktownadventures.com.
Great Galena Balloon Race
June 17-19. Thousands of visitors gather for tethered balloon rides, wine tasting, great food, bounce houses and live music. Proceeds benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, 444 Eagle Ridge Dr., Galena, Ill., greatgalenaballoonrace.com.
Juneteenth Community Freedom Festival
June 18, noon-3 p.m. Enjoy live entertainment, a children’s fun fair with a bounce house, Pap Tom’s Famous BBQ and other food vendors, community market booths, more. Propheter Park, 506 E. 6th St., Sterling, Ill., (815) 625-4500, rockfallschamber.com.
Summer Day Camp
June 20-24 & July 18-22, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Bring your school-aged children to connect with nature. Welty Environmental Center, 8606 County Road H, Beloit, (608) 361-1377, weltycenter.org.
Imagination Station: “Sheer Magic”
June 22, 1:30-2:15 p.m., pre-show activities at 12:45 p.m. Enjoy magic, illusion, audience participation and comedy. Rockford Park District, 1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford, (815) 987-8800, rockfordparkdistrict.org/soundsofsummer.
Women on Water: Kayaking
June 22 & 29, 10 a.m.-noon. Enjoy paddling in a low-key, fun social setting with Rocktown Adventures. This women’s-only paddle meets at the store, where you’ll get outfitted and review safety instruction, before heading out on the water. Rocktown Adventures, Rockford, (815) 636-9066, rocktownadventures.com.
RAMP’s Wine & Beer Tasting
June 23, 5-7:30 p.m. RAMP’s annual wine and beer tasting with a silent auction is the first event to occur at The Standard, Rockford’s new event venue including two rooftop bars. Tour the new space and taste wine, beer, hors d’oeuvres, cheese, olive oil and dessert. Music from The Groove Hotel Band. The Standard, 214 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 968-7467, rampcil.org.
Cruise-In to the Guys Who Gave Us Rock
June 24, 5 p.m. Explore the classic cars and take a journey through musical history entitled “The Guys Who Gave Us Rock.” Rockford Auto Museum, 518 Walnut St. & 225 S. 3rd St., Rockford, (815) 979-2990, rockfordautomuseum.com.
River District 12 Bike Tour
June 25, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. River District 12 is a 12-hour bike tour designed to promote bike safety and awareness, provide a bike view of the River District and build the community’s foundation. River District Association, 223 E. State St., Ste. 202, Rockford, (815) 398-8021, riverdistrict12.com.
Cedarville Summer Celebration
June 25, 4-8 p.m. Celebrate the summer with free hot dogs and soda, a craft show, kid’s games, Cedarville Fireman water fights and fireworks at dusk. 405 W. Washington St., Cedarville, Ill., (815) 563-4302, stephenson-county-il.org.
Pretzel City 5K
June 25, 8-10 a.m. The course consists of flat roadways and paths that wind through picturesque Krape Park. 1799 S. Park Blvd., Freeport, (815) 235-6114, freeportparkdistrict.org.
Rockin’ for the Reptiles
June 25, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. This outdoor festival is fun for the whole family with games, live music, live reptiles, crafts, food trucks and more. All proceeds go toward the care of the museum’s live animals. Midwest Museum of Natural History, 425 W. State St., Sycamore, Ill., (815) 895-9777, mmnh.org.
Old World Wisconsin 40th Anniversary
June 25-26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Help celebrate Old World Wisconsin’s 40th anniversary during a weekend of special programming, folk music, dancing, hands-on activities and a big cake. Old World Wisconsin, S103 W37890, Hwy. 67, Eagle, Wis., (262) 594-6300, oldworldwisconsin.org.
Pink Heals 5K Fun Run/Walk
June 25, 8 a.m.-noon. Participate in a 5K Fun Run/Walk and after the event, enjoy food and beverages at Prairie Street Brewing Co. Pink Heals merchandise available for purchase. All money raised stays local. Prairie Street Brewhouse, 200 Prairie St., Rockford, pinkhealswinnebago.org.
Paddlesport Demo Day
June 26, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. If you’re looking to buy a kayak, or even just test out a few, then join Rocktown Adventures for a demo day of various kayaks, canoes and SUPs on the Rock River. Rocktown Adventures, Rockford, (815) 636-9066, rocktownadventures.com.
Outlaw Clay Classic at Rockford Speedway
June 29-30, Wed. 7 p.m., Thurs. 7 p.m. Rockford Speedway’s track is covered in clay as the ‘often imitated, never duplicated Greatest Show on Dirt’ comes to Rockford Speedway for the first time ever. Rockford Speedway, 9572 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park, Ill., (815) 633-1500, worldofoutlaws.com/tickets.
Kayak Safety and Rescue Class
June 30, 5-8 p.m. Aimed at kayakers who enjoy calmer waters, the Flatwater Kayak Safety and Rescue workshop introduces essential flatwater safety practices and rescue techniques that can be performed with a minimum of equipment in an emergency. Rock Cut State Park, 7223 W. Lane Road, (815) 636-9066, rocktownadventures.com.
Dixon Petunia Festival
June 30-July 4; daily. Enjoy a carnival, live music, fireworks, art show, outdoor movie and ice cream social. Dixon High School Parking Lot & Dixon Riverfront, Dixon, Ill., (815) 288-7465, petuniafestival.org.
JULY
Shop the Blocks in Downtown Rockford
July 1, 3-8 p.m. Shop the Blocks returns to Downtown Rockford this summer on the first Friday of each month June through September, presented by River District Boat Dock. Businesses bring sales to the sidewalks and offer alfresco dining. Downtown Rockford, facebook.com/ShopDowntownRockford.
Rockford’s First Fridays
July 1, 5 p.m.-midnight. Downtown art galleries, shops, and music and theater venues stay open late to provide new art, music and goods. Downtown Rockford, (779) 537-5319, facebook.com/FirstFridaysRockford.
Heroes Unplugged: Guitars 4 Vets
July 2, 2-6 p.m. Heroes Unplugged, a benefit for the Rockford Chapter of Guitars 4 Vets, features performances by HindSite, Taboo Blah Blah, Rockford Dance Company Cardio Tap Dancers and more. Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 985-0143, facebook.com/Guitars4Vets.Rockford.IL.
Friday Night Frenzy & Market on the Square
July 3. Enjoy vendors in the square, live entertainment, extended shop hours and more. Downtown Durand, Ill., (815) 979-5031, durandevents.com.
Durand Fourth of July Festival
July 3-4, Sun. 1 p.m.-midnight, Mon. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Celebrate the Fourth of July in Durand. Highlights include kids’ rides and amusements, a fun fair, sumo wrestling, antique tractor pulls, an annual parade, fireworks, more. Downtown Durand, (815) 248-2606, durandcharm.com.
Independence Day Celebration
July 2-4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Celebrate the spirit of Independence Day in 19th-century America through a living history presentation and fun hands-on activities for the entire family. Help make ice cream, participate in period sports and games, enjoy a picnic lunch and enter the greased-pole contest. Old World Wisconsin, Eagle, Wis., (262) 594- 6300, oldworldwisconsin.org.
Rockford’s 4th of July Celebration Day
July 4, 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Attend Magic Waters Waterpark’s Independence Day Celebration and Military Appreciation Day from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Ingersoll Golf Course’s Independence Day Spectacular (time TBA), and a parade and fireworks from 6-9:30 p.m. Parade viewing on S. Wyman and Elm Streets, premium firework viewing area at Davis Park. Various locations, rockfordfireandice.com.
July 4th Independence Day Events
July 4, 1 p.m. The annual 4th of July Patriotic Parade starts at Village Hall. Decorate your bike, or anything on wheels, and arrive at 12:45 p.m. to line up for the parade. Fireworks fired afterwards at Baumann Park. Cherry Valley Village Hall, 806 E. State St., Cherry Valley, (815) 332-3441, gorockford.com.
MELD Classic Run and Fun Walk
July 4, 8K at 7 a.m., 2-mile run at 7:10 a.m., 1-mile fun walk at 8 a.m. The MELD Classic is run on the beautiful bike path along the Rock River. The course is flat and fast. Food and refreshments are available after completion of the races. Trolley Station, 324 Madison St., Rockford, (815) 963-6353, itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=6900.
Rockford Town Fair
July 6-10, Wed. 6-10 p.m., Thurs 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Presented by SwedishAmerican, this new five-day family-friendly event features a full midway complete with rides, games and great “fair” food and drinks. Enjoy live performances from both legendary and up-and-coming country and rock musicians. Rockford Speedway, Loves Park. Ill., (815) 399-2233, rockfordtownfair.com.
Stephenson County Fair
July 6-10. Enjoy a 4-H youth and family night, a musical performance by country duo Maddie & Tae, truck and tractor pulls, a demolition derby, more. Stephenson County Fairgrounds, 2250 S. Walnut Road, Freeport, (815) 235-2918, stephensoncountyfair.org.
Discovery Center Museum: Frozen
July 8, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Meet the Snow Sister Princesses, get an autograph and sing along to familiar tunes. Create sparkling snowflakes, toss snowballs, paint with ice, make a glittering snow globe, build a blue castle and enjoy a frosty treat. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org.
ByronFest
July 8-10, daily. Join this citywide event centered in downtown, with a carnival, live entertainment, Taste of Byron and more. Downtown Byron, Ill., byronfest.businesscatalyst.com.
Constellation Night Hike
July 8, 8:30-9:30 p.m. Spend some time under the stars learning the summertime constellations and their stories. Weiskopf Obersvatory, 7993 N. River Road, Byron, Ill., (815) 234-8535, byronforestpreserve.org.
Fairy Tale Tea
July 9, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Calling all princesses, princes and creatures of all kinds. Tinker’s Fairy Tale Tea is an adventure for everyone. Dress as your favorite character and enjoy three delectable courses of kid-approved favorites including scones, sandwiches and dessert to complement your endless amount of tea. Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens, 411 Kent St., Rockford, (815) 964-2424, tinkercottage.com.
Lafayette County Fair
July 13-17, daily. Enjoy FFA and 4-H exhibits, a tractor pull, carnival and more entertainment. Lafayette County Fairgrounds, 701 E. Louisa St., Darlington, Wis., (608) 776-4828, lafayettecountyfair.org.
Pizza Palooza
July 15, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Pizza puzzles and crazy crafts revolve around our favorite food. Knead the dough and time yourself during the pizza delivery challenge. Paint with veggies, monkey with pizza math and vote for your favorite topping during this delicious day of fun. Discovery Center Museum, Rockford, (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org.
Edgebrook Sidewalk Sale
July 15-16, recurring daily. During Alpine Kiwanis Brat Days, Edgebrook merchants will be outside enjoying the summer sun with great offers and events. Edgebrook Shopping Center, 1601 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, (815) 226-0212, edgebrookshoops.com.
Alpine Kiwanis Brat Days
July 15-16, Fri. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Enjoy Johnsonville brats, all-beef hotdogs or a meatless BBQ sandwich. All proceeds benefit local nonprofits. Three locations: Edgebrook, 1639 N. Alpine Road; Schnucks, N. Alpine & Harlem roads; Schnucks, 6410 E. State St, alpinekiwanis-il.com.
Discover Woodcarving
July 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Join Blackhawk Woodcarvers for an introduction to the craft of carving. Watch demonstrators wield knives, tools and even chain saws as they make masterpieces. Discovery Center Museum, Rockford, (815) 963-6797, discoverycentermuseum.org.
Green County Fair
July 20-24, daily. Enjoy youth exhibits, animal shows and auctions, entertainment, food stands, a carnival and more. Green County Fairgrounds, 2600 10th St., Monroe, Wis., (608) 325-9159, greencountyfair.net.
12th Annual Cars on Main
July 23, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Come for the cars, stay for the food, shops, entertainment and small-town charm. There will be a variety of classic to modern cars on display. Downtown Pecatonica, 400 Block of Main St., Pecatonica, Ill., (815) 978-9530, carsonmain.org.
Kishwaukee Fest
July 23-31, daily. Enjoy concerts in the park, a Friday-evening parade, a Saturday Liners baseball game and a Sunday car show. Downtown DeKalb, Ill., (877) 335-2521, dekalbcountycvb.com.
Krazy Kids Inflatable Fun Run 2016
July 30, 8:30 a.m. The Krazy Kids Inflatable Fun Run is the first nation-wide obstacle run created solely for children. Each inflatable obstacle is unique, safe and fun. MercyRockford Indoor Sports Center, 8800 Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 399-2233, krazykidsinflatablefunrun.com.
Japanese Summer Festival
July 30-31, Sat. 10 a.m., Sun. 3 p.m. The Japanese Summer Festival features exhibits, demonstrations and unique performances that appeal to all age groups and help to foster a better understanding of the Japanese culture. Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 229-9390, andersongardens.org.
Happy Birthday, Harry
July 31, 6-9 p.m. Birthday cake, pumpkin juice and chocolate frogs are only the beginning of this birthday celebration for our favorite wizard. Drop into herbology, practice potions or get a glimpse of the night sky in astronomy class. Muggles are welcome. Discovery Center Museum, Rockford, (815) 963-6797, discoverycentermuseum.org.