From Friday Night Flix to Fourth of July fireworks: Things to do this weekend in Rockford
ROCKFORD —The Independence Day holiday weekend is upon us and that means a variety of family friendly events to choose from in the Rockford region.
'A League of Their Own' 30th Anniversary Celebration
What: "A League of Their Own", voted one of the top ten baseball movies of all time, debuted July 1, 1992 to immediate worldwide acclaim and, in the process, created new generations of fans for the beloved Rockford Peaches.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the movie and the legacy of these champions of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, the International Women's Baseball Center presents a two-day citywide celebration jam-packed with fun, family-friendly events.
'A League of Their Own' 30th Anniversary Night at the Market
What: The Market theme is everything "Peaches," from food to special vendor merchandise. Actress Megan Cavanagh, who played Marla “What a Hitter” Hooch in the movie, will arrive to meet the press and greet the crowd from the Pavilion Stage as the celebration gets underway.
When: 4 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the City Market Pavilion and Indoor Market, 116 Market St., Rockford.
Cost: Free
The Suds Bucket Bash!
What: Join Megan Cavanagh for a special 1940s party for 400 sponsors and guests on the top two floors of The Standard with rooftop patio views of the City and the Market below. The evening includes live and video entertainment, and autograph and photo opportunities with Megan as well as players from the original Rockford Peaches and the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday
Where: The Standard, 214 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: The event is $100 per person with a 400 person capacity.
Friday Night Flix Showing of 'A League of Their Own'
What: A free showing of the beloved baseball movie about the Rockford Peaches of the All-American Girl's Professional Baseball League. Just before the movie starts, Megan Cavanagh will arrive to greet the crowd. Pre-movie entertainment includes 1940s-era swing dancers recreating scenes from the movie at the Suds Bucket, along with students from The Studio performing songs from their upcoming original musical, "Girls of Summer." There will provide baseball-themed activities while kids are waiting for the movie to start and one small complimentary Peaches pennant will be handed out to the first 300 children under 12 as they enter the park.
When: The movie begins at 7 p.m.
Where: Davis Park, 320 S. Wyman St., Rockford
Cost: Free
IWBC Meet and Greet at Beyer Park
What: International Women's Baseball Center board members will be set up on the grounds of the future $10 million museum site to talk to the public about their plans. AAGPBL players and Megan Cavanagh will be on hand to sign autographs ahead of the afternoon's Celebrity Softball Game. Children's activities related to baseball in the STEAM Zone will be available for families to enjoy ahead of the game.
When: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday
Where: Beyer Field Park, 245 15th Ave., Rockford
Cost: Free to the public
Celebrity Softball Game
What: Megan Cavanagh will join a local celebrity team on historic Beyer field to reprise her 2018 appearance for the 75th Anniversary of the Rockford Peaches and the AAGPBL. Mayor Tom McNamara throws out the first pitch to start a rambunctious, but friendly, game of softball. The Opposing Team boasts local softball talent from RVC, the Screw City Sluggers, Rockford Park District, Rockford 60+ Softball and Midwest Aftershock Softball.
When: 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Beyer Field Park, 245 15th Ave., Rockford
Cost: Free admission
For more: https://www.internationalwomensbaseballcenter.org/
'A League of Their Own' advance screening
What: Prime Video and the City of Rockford will host a free advance screening of the first episode of the upcoming original series "A League of Their Own" more than a month ahead of its Prime Video debut.
When: Saturday 6 to 7:30 p.m. Street Fair; 7:30 to 8 p.m. Check-in and seating screening; 8 p.m. Advance screening of "A League of Their Own" original series begins; 9 p.m. Panel discussion with cast, filmmakers and All-American Girls Professional Baseball League legend Maybelle Blair.
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission
For more: https://coronadopac.org/events/free-advance-screening-of-a-league-of-their-own-series
Wine Tasting for Crusader
What: Join Crusader Community Health at Artale for a first Friday wine tasting. Sample over 20 different wines in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. All proceeds benefit the Crusader Community Health Foundation.
When: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Artale & Co., 6876 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
Cost: $15 per person
For more: https://www.crusaderhealth.org/crusader-foundation/
Hello, Dolly!
What: This show bursts with humor, romance, high-energy dancing, and some of the greatest songs in musical theater history. The romantic and comic exploits of Dolly Gallagher-Levi, turn-of-the-century matchmaker and "woman who arranges things," are certain to thrill and entertain audiences again and again, especially when everything changes when she decides that the next match she needs to make is for herself!
Where: Starlight Theater at Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. Saturday
For more: https://www.rockvalleycollege.edu/Community/Theatre/index.cfm
Music on the Mall
What: Vince Chiarelli & Trinadora are the featured performers
Where: Edgebrook shopping center, near Cora Physical Therapy
When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday
Cost: Free admission
For more: https://edgebrookshops.com/events/music-on-the-mall/
Doggie Days
What: Doggie Days is making its grand debut. It’s a doggie party for puppies to play and owners to meet. Adventurous pups can even take a swim in Turtle Creek. Drinking water will be provided for pups and owners. If you are not a dog owner, you are more than welcome to stop by and say hello to some furry friends. For the safety of all, dogs must be kept on a leash at all times, unless swimming in Turtle Creek. Dogs must be up to date on vaccinations.
When: 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Nature at the Confluence, 306 Dickop St., South Beloit
For more: https://natureattheconfluence.com/event/doggie-days-july-2/
Cars & Coffee Rockford
What: The Cars & Coffee monthly shows welcome all sorts of cars, from vintage to new cars. There are various car clubs from the region that are featured each month, including the British Boots & Bonnets, Caps Garage Club, Cranked Car Club, Gearheads of Northern IL/Southern WI, Gentleman’s Car Club, Illinois Camaro Club Local Enthusiasts Club, Northern Illinois Corvette Club, Old Skool Car Club, Rock Valley Mustang Club, Rockford Model T Club, Screw City Jeeps 815, Stateline Volks Folks VW Club, Stateline Challenger Club, Sports Car Club of Rockford, Volvo Club of America, and the WI Camaro Club.
When: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday
Where: 502 Seventh St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission
For more: https://www.carsandcoffeerockford.com/
Star Spangled Spectacular
What: The Rockford Symphony Orchestra performs a variety of patriotic favorites and the always popular tribute to our community’s veterans, along with themes from the movies including Star Trek, Superman, and Apollo 13. A highlight of this year’s concert will be Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait, a moving work filled with American folk tunes interwoven with narrated passages from some of Abraham Lincoln’s greatest speeches. This year’s performance will be conducted by Linc Smelser, conductor of the Rockford Symphony Youth Orchestra.
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: Starlight Theater at Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford
For more: https://www.rockvalleycollege.edu/Community/Theatre/index.cfm
Rockford's Independence Day Parade
What: Enjoy the pageantry of the city’s annual Independence Day parade.
When: Parade begins at 5 p.m. Monday
Where: The parade will begin on Seventh Street and Sixth Avenue. The parade heads north to State Street, and west on State Street to Church Street.
For more: http://www.4thandlights.com/
Rockford's Independence Day Fireworks
What: Celebrate the nation’s birthday by watching Rockford’s spectacular fireworks show
Where: Davis Park will have live entertainment and a free children’s area prior to the fireworks show. $5 for admission. Children 5 and under are admitted free.
When: Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Monday.
For more: http://www.4thandlights.com/
Ken DeCoster: kdecoster@rrstar.com; @DeCosterKen
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Here are some things to do Fourth of July weekend in Rockford
