Positive News, Stories, & Rockford Buzz Polls

IT’S FINALLY HERE! It’s officially Halloween weekend! We know you all probably have a lot of your own spooky celebrations happening this weekend, but if you want to keep your days packed, check out the awesome events happening in the 815! You can find even more events to fill your weekend with at rockfordbuzz.com/events! Friday:On Friday, starting at 6:30 pm, head to Midway Village Museum for Evening of Illumination! Visitors will discover the mysteries of the lantern-lite village at their own pace stopping to meet some of the more macabre characters of the late 1800s including Emily Dickinson, H.H. Holmes, and P.T. Barnum. Visitors will also learn about traditions and activities we may think of as odd such as Mourning Rituals, Superstitions, Poisons On Purpose, and more!Saturday:The Rockford North End Business Association will be hosting their 2nd Trunk or Treat event with free candy and treats for kids on Saturday, Oct 30th, 2021 from 4pm-6pm (or until the candy runs out!). Over 10 North End businesses will have their cars decked out with Halloween decorations and they’ll be handing out candy and coupons to North End businesses starting at 4pm. The Trunk or Treat will be located in the North Towne Mall parking lot, in front of Stockyard Rock Burger Bar. Bring your kids in costume, grab some sweets, and special offers from the businesses up and down North Main Street for the grown-ups in the group.On Saturday from noon to 4 pm hang out at Barnstormer Distillery for Food Truck Saturday! There will be wood-fired pizza, cocktails, tour & tastings, a bonfire, AND both Barnstormer & Rustic Oven will have a “Candy Bowl” for anyone wanting to Trick-Or-Treat a day early!Sunday:On Sunday from 1- 3 pm, participate in one of Rockton's newer now-yearly traditions for the whole family, the Main St. Trick or Treat! Dress up the kids (and yourselves!) for a fun, family-friendly trick or treating event in downtown Rockton at participating businesses. This is always a HUGE hit with families and local shops alike!

Original players from the AAGPBL, Shirley Burkovich and Maybelle Blair, who dazzled WWII crowds of spectators in the 40s and 50s, will be in Rockford for autograph signings ahead of the Hard Rock Casino opening in early November! Both women are ambassadors for the International Women’s Baseball Center (IWBC).  The public can catch them at three separate events benefiting the IWBC. The first appearance is Saturday, Oct. 30, 3 pm to 5 pm, at the Cherry Valley Market, 125 Walnut St., Cherry Valley, IL in conjunction with the Halloween Parade planned for downtown. The second appearance is Sunday, Oct. 31, 1 pm to 3 pm, at Crimson Ridge, 735 N. Perryville Rd. These autograph signing events are free to the public. SPoRT Apparel and Collectibles which is hosting the players will have 1948 Peaches vintage style red caps and Peaches logo leather baseballs available for purchase along with complimentary postcards suitable for autographs.  The third appearance requiring a $50 ticket to attend IWBC’s A Place of Their Own Capital Campaign Launch Celebration will take place Monday, Nov. 1 from 6 pm to 9 pm at The Standard, 214 E. State St. Tickets for this event will be available at the door and can be purchased ahead of time at Taco Betty’s, 212 E. State St., or on Eventbrite. Special A Place of Their Own campaign leather baseballs will be available for purchase and the players replica baseball cards will be free for autographs.  Burkovich is a former infielder, outfielder and pitcher who played for the Rockford Peaches from 1949 to 1951. She signed to play at age 16 and was nicknamed “Hustle” for her boundless intensity on the field. She is an active collaborator in different projects for the AAGPBL Players Association.  Blair, affectionately known as “Mae”, is a former pitcher who played in 1948 for the AAGPBL and National Women’s Softball League in Chicago in the early 1950s. She travels the United States speaking on behalf of women’s baseball. She has been featured on CBS’s Sunday Morning and Drew Barrymore Show, and NBC’s Today Show. 

Do you need something fun for the whole family to do this Halloween weekend? Well then, you're in luck! Rockford Park District's Carlson Ice Arena and Sapora Playworld, 4150 N. Perryville Rd., Loves Park, will host indoor family fun during Boo Bash, a weekend of spooktacular special events, and discounted admissions Friday-Sunday, October 29-31, 2021!Come dressed in your best family-friendly costume to ice skate to themed music; children can explore Playworld, the three-level soft indoor playground for ages 1-12 with a Tiny Tots Playspace for ages 1-3, decorated for the weekend. A costume party with candy will also be part of each event’s fun.No discount coupons will be accepted for the weekend’s admission, events, or activities.Friday, October 29, 8-10 p.m. - Frosty Fridays public ice skating session: $7 per person including skate rentalSaturday, October 30, 1-3 p.m. - Skate and Play Special: $8 per person admission includes public ice skating session admission and skate rental, and admission to Sapora Playworld. A meal deal will be available for purchase.Sunday, October 31, 2-4 p.m. - Skate and Play Special: $8 per person admission includes public ice skating session admission and skate rental, and admission to Sapora Playworld. A meal deal will be available for purchase.

WOW! You guys are in luck this weekend because there are SO MANY FREAKIN’ EVENTS! There’s shopping, art exhibits, Halloween-themed events, and more! You can find even more events to fill your weekend with at rockfordbuzz.com/events! The Midwest Rustic:On Friday and Saturday from 10am - 5pm head to The Midwest Rustic for their Harry Potter Day and Trick or Treating Event! They have a Harry Potter set-up on display for all of the wizard nerds out there, as well as a hidden Golden Snitch in the store! If you find the Golden Snitch you can get 15% off your purchase!Then on Saturday night from 5-7pm, The Midwest Rustic is calling all moms! They will be hosting a Mom’s Night Out Sip and Shop event after hours in their store! Taco Betty’s will be on-site serving margaritas for purchase while you shop around the store for jewelry, decor, clothing, and more! They are offering 15% off your purchase, door prizes, a chance to win a $200 gift card to Willow Beauty Center, and wooden ornament painting for $10!Rockford Art Museum:Rockford Art Museum’s Art in Bloom Exhibit will be on display at the Rockford Art Museum ALL WEEKEND LONG! From 10am - 5pm and $7 admission, you can explore the wonderful live floral exhibition of Art in Bloom! That's right, this exhibit features art made with live florals and other organic materials! On Saturday starting at 6pm, you can purchase a ticket for Fashion in Bloom, a fashion show featuring designs made with live florals and organic materials. Pre-registration is required for this event and tickets are $75 so purchase your ticket today!Culture Shock:On Saturday from 10am - 5pm, check out the Rockford area’s local record stores for the 7th annual Record Crawl! Rockford’s 3 independent record stores will be offering free admission, amazing specials, prizes for visiting all 3 locations, giveaways, AND SO MUCH MORE! Check out Culture Shock’s event listing on Rockford Buzz or their Facebook for more details!Midway Village Museum:On Saturday from 12pm - 6pm, head to Midway Village Museum for their All Hallows’ Eve Event! Enjoy trick-or-treating in the historic village along with other family-friendly activities as this in-person event returns. A new pumpkin carving contest is begin introduced this year with pre-registration. The contest will have various age entries with pre-carved and in-person categories. $6 per person admission.Barnstormer Distillery:On Saturday from 3:30pm - 7:30pm, Barnstormer Distillery is having a FOOD TRUCK SATURDAY! The food truck will be Hector’s Cocina, a Mexican food delight from Oregon, IL to stratify your hunger and locally distilled alcohol from Barnstormer Distillery (DUH) to quench your thirst! What could be better than tacos and fancy drinks?? We think NOTHING!

Rockford is getting a NEW public library, and they are breaking ground TODAY! So, if you want to join in the celebratory groundbreaking, head to 215 N. Wyman St. in Rockford TODAY at 11 am!Please join Mayor Tom McNamara, Rockford Public Library (RPL) Board of Trustees along with Studio GWA, Engberg Anderson Architects, Scandroli Construction, and other key Library partners in a ceremony launching the construction of Rockford’s brand-new Public Library. “At long last, we are so happy to celebrate the beginning of construction of our new Main Library,” said RPL Executive Director Lynn Stainbrook. “With the land 215 N. Wyman Street now completely safe for building, we are more than ready to begin the creation of Rockford’s newest place of pride, RPL’s New Main Library.” Note: From Wyman St., turn right on Park Ave, make a quick right into the Parking Lot near the Hinshaw & Culbertson building, park your car, then enter Gate 1 and proceed to the Main Library building site. 

There is a warehouse on the Southeast side of Rockford that has an unusual problem. The problem isn’t with wiring or plumbing; this warehouse has a ghost. Actually, it has a couple of them. But the most disturbing one is the ghost of a little girl. No one can remember when they started hearing stories about this little girl, but all agree it has been years.The little girl is seen all over the area but mainly near the intersection of Samuelson and 6th Streets. Yolanda Weisensel, owner of Command Post Restaurant and Camp Grant Museum states that she has heard quite a bit about the child. She is 5-8 years old, has long light brown hair, and wears a dress with stockings and boots. “She seems to be from the 1910-1920s era. I have heard several stories. Someone told me they can remember a little girl that got hit by a train back when the train tracks ran down 6th Street,” Weisensel states. There is one person who is reluctant to talk about the little girl, however. He works in the previously mentioned warehouse and we will call him “Sam.” “I was moving some pipes in the warehouse. I would bend over and pick up a pipe and move it to its new location,” explained Sam. There is a door that has a window set the top half, right across from where Sam was working and what he saw in the reflection of the window startled him so much that he no longer likes to be in the warehouse at night by himself.When Sam stood up with a pipe, he caught his reflection in the glass of the door. He had seen that same window at least a dozen times, but this time something was different. When Sam looked into the glass, he saw more than his own reflection. Standing next to him was the reflection of a little girl. She was about 6-7 years old, had light brown hair and was wearing a dress. Even more alarming to Sam, the girl reached out for his hand and just as he saw the little girl’s hand touch his, his whole right arm went cold. Sam quickly looked next to him. There was no one there.Sam turned to look back into the window and the little girl was still there.Sam is not a man to frighten easily. He’s a large man, 6 foot 3inches or so, and probably 230 pounds. But he shared with me that he was Samoan and his Pacific Island people were very superstitious about the dead. The Pacific people believe that objects that reflect one’s image are a portal to the Spirit realm. To steal the souls of the living, evil spirits sometimes take on the appearance of loved ones that have passed away.While others might have been curious and even possibly thrilled that the little girl had contacted them, Sam was not. He does not want to be disrespectful toward the little girl, but he really doesn’t ever want to see her again.Other people have seen this same little girl outside of the building, skipping along both 6th Street and Samuelson Roads and picking the wildflowers that grow up along the roadside. They claim that she is just as solid as any other living little girl. The only thing odd about her is she is dressed in clothes from another time.Despite our research into the train accidents in that particular area, and reviewing news reports on a child that died at that intersection, the little girl’s identity remains as elusive as her reason for lingering here.Story by: Kathi KresolPhoto by: Kathi Kresol

There are so many great events to choose from this weekend! You can watch the season kick-off of our favorite Rockford IceHogs, take the kids to the Discovery Center to learn how fun chemistry is, celebrate 5Bar’s first birthday, or practice yoga in the park with Rockton Sanctuary Spa! OR you could do all of them and MORE! You can find even more events to fill your weekend with at rockfordbuzz.com/events! Friday:On Friday at 6 pm, watch the Rockford IceHogs kick off the season at the BMO! Fans are invited to the BMO to watch the IceHogs open their 23rd season of professional hockey as the team travels to Grand Rapids to take on the Griffins. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the game will start at 6 p.m. All fans will be able to access the arena by using the stairs on the North side of the building (off of Elm St.) and entering through the doors into the upper concourse. The Fiesta Watch Party will take place in the Blue Flame Lounge as both the IceHogs and Blackhawks games will be playing. IceHogs merchandise will also be on sale as the mobile Oink Outfitters stand will be open during the event that will run from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Fans can also take advantage of tacos, nachos, and margaritas at the event. A limited number of other food items will also be available for purchase along with Bud Lights, Pepsi, and bottled water. The BMO Harris Bank Center is now cashless.Saturday:On Saturday from 9:30 am to noon and 1 pm to 4 pm join The Discovery Center Museum for a fun chemistry event! From oodles of fizz and columns of foam to explosions, join them for some crazy chemistry demonstrations to celebrate National Chemistry Week and give you a “feel” for chemical changes. Included with Discovery Center admission. Reservations and masks are required. $10/Public; Free to Members and all children ages one and younger. Advance registration is required. Register online at DiscoveryCenterMuseum.org or call 815-963-6769 on weekdays. Face coverings are required for everyone ages 2 and older. Museum reservations - https://discoverycentermuseum.tamretail.net/SelectEvent.aspx?eventid=1004681On Saturday starting at 11 am, head to 5Bar for their one-year celebration! That's right, 5Bar is having its first birthday and is celebrating with CARROT CAKE SHOTS! Dance the night away, drink fancy shots and cocktails, and enjoy a night out to celebrate Roscoe’s funkiest bar turning ONE! The festivities can start as early as 11 am and go well into the early hours of 2 am! The only requirement is to have a good time!Sunday:On Sunday from 9-10 am and 10:15-11:15 am, Rockton Sanctuary Spa is hosting Yoga in the Park! Join Rockton Sanctuary Spa for a day of rejuvenation and relaxation at Settler’s Park in Rockton! Bring yourself, water, and a yoga mat! Spend your Sunday stretching and energizing your body for the week! All are invited and welcome! Admission is $10 per person!

Rockford has new police and fire chiefs! For the first time in Rockford’s history, each of these positions will be led by women! This means Carla Redd and Michele Pankow will be making Rockford history! Be a part of this special moment by participating in the zoom event hosted by The League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford!The League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford invites you to hear Rockford’s new Police Chief, Carla Redd, and new Fire Chief, Michelle Pankow, on Sunday, October 17, 2021.  The LWVGR Local Government Committee, chaired by Terri Schierer, is hosting a Zoom meeting with Chiefs Redd and Pankow. League member Mary McNamara Bernsten will be the moderator. They are the first women to hold these positions in Rockford’s history. It is also the first time the Rockford Police Department will be led by a person of color.  Each Chief will share their vision and answer a few pre-submitted questions. If you have a question, please email localgovernment@lwvgr.org or call her at 815-201-3901.  The program will be held virtually on Sunday, October 17, 2021, 2:00 – 3:00 pm. Registration is required. League members are encouraged to attend.

Hey Rockford! If you need legal advice, Rockford Public Library has an event coming up that can help! They are organizing private one-on-one meetings with a legal advisor to aid the residents of Rockford with any legal questions they may have!Rockford –The Rockford Public Library and Prairie State Legal Services of Illinois are partnering to present legal advice for residents of Rockford! A lawyer from Prairie State Legal Services will be onsite at the library for a one-on-one meeting. Prairie State Legal Services can help in civil legal matters like: Divorce, Orders of Protection, Evictions, Housing Denials and Discrimination, Guardianship, Problems with SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, Criminal Record Expungement and Sealing, Tax Problems, Bankruptcy, or School Suspensions or Expulsions. Meetings can be scheduled ahead of time, by calling 815-965-2902. Scheduled appointments will be prioritized. Walk-ins will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Hart Interim Library:214 N. Church StreetThursdays: October 14, December 99:30 – 11:30 a.m.Meeting Room 1Montague Branch Library: 1238 N. Winnebago Street Thursday, November 11 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Connie Lane Room Funding for this program is provided in whole or in part by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. For more information, please visit our events calendar online at www.rockfordpubliclibrary.org. 

With plenty of events for kids and a few for yourself, this weekend is one that the whole family can enjoy! Whether you’re showing off your trivia skills at The Pottery Lounge or rocking out for a spooky concert at Wolf Hollow, there is guaranteed to be an event for you this weekend in Rockford! BUT these are only a few of the events on the calendar for this weekend so make sure to check out rockfordbuzz.com/events for more!Friday:On Friday at 6 pm, take the kids out for a family fun event at The Pottery Lounge! The Pottery Lounge is hosting a Hocus Pocus Trivia night! Not only can you and the kids show off your knowledge of this classic Halloween flick, but you also get to paint or glaze an item of your choosing! They kick off the night with snacks and refreshments while you paint or glaze the item of your choosing. Every half an hour, they give away a door prize or ask a round of ten trivia questions. Everyone has their answer sheet and scores are tallied up and the winner announced. They have three rounds of trivia with three corresponding prizes for each round winner. Best of all, you not only make memories, but you also make a masterpiece you can cherish forever. Tickets are $10 each and non-refundable. Choose and pay for your pottery at the event.Saturday:On Saturday at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and 2 pm, take the family to the Discovery Center Museum for a BUBBLE SHOW! Bubble-celebrity Ben Jimenez combines art, science, and a touch of magic in his live performances. Enjoy Ben’s 30-minute show and afterward pop outside to the Bubble-Palooza Playground (weather permitting) to devise your brilliant bubbly tricks as you test your soapy skills with bubble art, math, and science activities for the whole family! Shows at 9:00 and 11:00 am are geared toward young children, while the afternoon shows incorporate science into the content. Sponsored by Viking Chemical Company. Cost: $3 Public; $2 Members; Museum admission extra: $10 Public; Free for Members and children ages 1 and younger.On Saturday, starting at 9 pm, head to Wolf Hollow for a free live performance by The Funeral March of the Marionettes! Born in the cellar, fortified by the spirits of Bowie and Bauhaus, The Funeral March of the Marionettes rose from the earth to walk the path of night. Led by Joseph Whiteaker, the band brings its vision of post-punk and dark alternative music to the like-minded children of the dark. At times urgent and driven and others dreamy and deliberate, the music of the Funeral March continues to morph and evolve. This event is for ages 16 and up and masks are required. Start October off strong with a spooky concert event at Wolf Hollow!Sunday:On Sunday, starting at 10 am, get outside and enjoy the last of the warm weather with Rocktown Adventures! Join them for one of their final paddle trips in their Fall Paddle Series on the Sugar River! Paddle down the gorgeous river and take in all of the sights of the changing leaves as the wooded banks of the Sugar River display the stunning transition from summer to fall!

The Nikolas Ritschel Foundation’s Grammy’s Auction is open! The Nikolas Ritschel Foundation is a foundation that supports young adults battling cancer and raises money to grant them a Nik’s Wish! Since children with cancer age out of the Make-A-Wish program at 18, Nik’s Wish provides a solution for young adults to make memories with friends and family to either celebrate completing treatment or to take a break from continuing treatment. By participating in The Grammy’s Auction, you can help raise money for the 3 wishes they are currently trying to fulfill! From now until October 9th, you can bid on everything from signed sports memorabilia to a variety of different themed baskets or Nik’s Wish merch! So, not only can you support a great cause, but you can also bid on some amazing items! The proceeds go directly to the Nik’s Wish funds for each of the young adults currently battling cancer and if bidding isn’t your thing or you would just rather donate, you can make a direct donation on their Grammy’s Auction page as well! Items will be available to view in person at Nik's Home Run on Friday, October 8th from 4-7 PM and Saturday, Oct 9th from 8 AM to 11 AM. Nik's Home Run is held at Rockford Rivets Stadium, 4503 Interstate Blvd, Loves Park, IL. Unless noted, most items can be shipped for an additional $10 fee.Here is one of the young adults you will be supporting with your bid/donation!Meet Hallie fighting Hodgkin's LymphomaDuring my junior year of college, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I was terrified of what was to come. Since then I have gone through six rounds of chemo and have struggled to find a sense of normalcy. Cancer has completely changed my life, but I know that this journey has made me stronger than I ever was before. This fall I will pursue a master's degree in Public Health to do my part in giving back to the health community that has done so much for me.What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?My dream trip would be to Maui. I would love to be able to relax and enjoy myself after all the obstacles I have faced this year.

ANNNDD we’re back with another local restaurant recommendation! We know you will never get sick of these because one of the best parts about living in Rockford is EATING in Rockford! This time, we’re talking about Sister’s Thai Cafe! Your mouth is probably watering already but just wait until we tell you about the Kow Pad Pineapple! It is a delicious combination of fried rice and traditional curry spices! The hearty cashews throughout provide a delightful texture, and the fresh vegetables keep the dish light! But the PINEAPPLE steals the show by giving a traditionally savory dish a sweet juicy punch! The Kow Pad Pineapple is delicious with or without protein, but we recommend adding the chicken! Not only is it an exquisite meal, but it’s also a BIG one. You get an incredibly generous portion for the price that is likely to give you leftovers to take home! This divine little spot is nestled right in the great of downtown Rockford and provides a calming and serene atmosphere perfect for a lunch escape from the workday or an evening getaway for dinner. Their outdoor dining is open and beautiful, complete with greenery and string lights! You really can’t go wrong with this Rockford gem! There are so many delicious options for you to try, so plan your trip soon!

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!

September means the apple orchards are officially open! So we want to hear what your FAVORITE orchard in the 815 is!