"Rockford, Rockford it's for you baby!"

Please join us for the official NBA Championship celebration of hometown hero, Fred VanVleet!

With Rockford native and NBA champion Fred VanVleet returning home after helping the Toronto Raptors win its first NBA Championship, the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and City of Rockford invite residents and visitors to attend a free community celebration in his honor. Fred Comes Home will take place in and around the City Market Pavilion from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, June 29.

Prior to the event gates opening, the community is encouraged to meet at Rockford City Hall (corner of N. 2nd and E. State Streets) at 1:30 p.m. to participate in Dribble the City, a ceremonial tip-off to the festival led by Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara. Participants must bring their own basketballs from home to partake in the community dribble from City Hall to the City Market Pavilion.

Fred Comes Home will feature the FVV Shop Pop-Up Store, food and beverage trucks, a kid’s area including basketball hoops and activities and a main stage production at 3 p.m. featuring guest speakers, surprises and an appearance by Fred VanVleet. For more details, visit GoRockford.com/FVVParty.

Schedule of Events

1:30 p.m. - Community gathers at N. 2nd and E. State Streets

1:50 p.m. - Dribble the City begins

2 p.m. - Fred Comes Home festival gates open (City Market Pavilion, E. State St. and Water St.)

3 p.m. - Main Stage Production featuring Fred VanVleet

5 p.m. - Festival ends

EVENT DETAILS: Guests are asked to adhere to the following Pavilion rules:

-No access to the Pavilion before 2 p.m. and no lawn chairs under the Pavilion (standing only), lawn chairs will only be allowed on Water St. and the alley between the Pavilion and the Indoor City Market.

-No Bikes, No Pets, No Outside Food or Beverage and No Smoking.