Looking for something to do this weekend in the Rockford area? Here are 28 events
Soft opening for Beef’s BBQ
What: Come join us for the soft opening of Beef's BBQ at the Canna Cafe.
When: 4 p.m. Friday, March 29
Where: The Hemp Center of Northern Illinois, 6830 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
Good Friday Walk for Justice
What: This annual event is a procession to 14 locations in downtown Rockford where prayers and songs are shared to call for justice. A detailed scheduled and route will be shared on Facebook closer to the event. All are welcome.
When: 9 a.m. Friday, March 29
Where: Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 412 N. Church St., Rockford
Pictures with the Easter Bunny
What: Use your camera or smartphone to take photos with the Easter Bunny. Each child will receive a holiday goodie bag. Registration is required.
When: 8 a.m. – noon, Friday, March 29
Where: NorthPointe Wellness, 5605 E. Rockton Road, Roscoe
Cost: $9; $7 in advance
Encore
What: Missed a show? Just want to hang out in our beautiful loft gallery? Want to check out the current show before we change things up for ArtScene?
When: 5-8 p.m. Friday, March 29
Where: Kith & Kin Art Collective, 510 E. State St., Rockford
Straight from the Heart Blood Drive
What: Lou Bachrodt Chevrolet Buick GMC and Rock River Valley Blood Center team up for the annual "Straight From the Heart" Blood Drive. Contact RRVBC to schedule a time. Prizes available.
When: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Friday, March 29
Where: Lou Bachrodt Chevrolet Buick GMC, 7070 Cherryvale North Blvd., Rockford
Easter at City First Church
What: Celebrate Easter in-person and online, March 29-31. Experience a message of hope, inspirational music and fun for the family like the Easter Bunny and Egg Factory Experience.
When: 6 p.m. Friday, March 29; 3 and 5 p.m. Saturday, March 30; 8:30, 10 or 11:45 a.m. Sunday, March 31
Where: City First Church, 5950 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
Drippy Bear Easter Egg Hunt
What: An Easter Egg Hunt, with a visit from the Easter Bunny, a bounce house, local food trucks, local vendors, music and more. Egg hunt starts at 1:30 p.m. Bring a basket.
When: Noon – 4 p.m. Saturday, March 30 (egg hunt starts at 1:30 p.m.)
Where: MeshWorks Rockford, 4949 Harrison Ave., Rockford
Bunny Bash
What: Rockford Park District's Carlson Ice Arena and Sapora Playworld offer indoor fun for the whole family at two special spring Bunny Bash events, from 1-3 p.m. at Carlson Ice Arena and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sapora Playworld. Carlson offers a public ice skating session. Daniel Balloons will be on hand creating balloon animal art, and giveaways of candy-filled Easter eggs will also be part of the festivities. No discount coupons will be accepted for the weekend’s admissions, events or activities.
When: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park
Cost: $12 per person combined admission for both events
Downtown Rockton Easter Egg Hunt
What: Downtown Rockton businesses and the Village of Rockton are teaming up to bring you an Easter egg hunt. Participants should gather at the flag pole promptly at 10 a.m. All kids will start behind the starting barricades for the different age groups. All kids will be limited to a specific number of eggs depending upon the number of participants. A few special tickets will be hidden in select eggs to exchange for bigger prizes. The Easter Bunny will visit and be available to take pictures with kids.
When: 10 a.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: Settlers Park, 150 Hawick St., Rockton
Cost: Free
Easter Candy Scramble
What: Mark your calendars for the annual Easter Candy Scramble, which will take place on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Baumann Park, with the arrival of the Easter Bunny at 1:30 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the event will take place inside the village hall. Please check the website for more details as the event draws near.
When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: Bauman Park, 218 Walnut St., Cherry Valley
Easter Egg Hunt
What: For kids up to age 12. Meet at Gateway Park across the street from Patriots Gateway Community Center.
When: 1 p.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: Patriots Gateway Community Center, 615 S. Fifth St., Rockford
Cost: Free
Easter Egg Hunt in the Mile
What: Screw City Jeeps 815 is hosting Easter Egg Hunt starting at 11 a.m. with a sensory friendly egg hunt for special needs children. At 11:30 a.m., there will be a sensory friendly meet and greet with the Easter Bunny. The event opens to general public at 12:30 p.m. with a second egg hunt at 1 p.m. Wrap up and egg exchange for a chance to win prizes at 2 p.m. For all children up to age 12.
When: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: Alpine Hills Adventure Park, 4402 Larson Ave., Rockford
Easter Egg Paint with the Easter Bunny
What: Easter egg painting with the Easter bunny. All painters will need a ticket. Non-painting adult with a child does not need a ticket. Each child will also get a goody bag. Tickets are all-inclusive and non-refundable.
When: 10-11 a.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: The Pottery Lounge, 312 N. Alpine Road, Suite 104, Rockford
Cost: $20
Kids Spot Eggstravaganza
What: Join us for an Easter Egg Hunt, a visit from the Easter Bunny, open gyms, an Easter craft, photo opps, donuts and juice. The egg hunt starts at 9:20 a.m.
When: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: Kids Spot, 9461 N. Second St., Roscoe
Cost: $5-$55
Pecatonica Easter Egg Hunt
What: Egg hunt for kids up to age 10. There will be more than 10,000 eggs. All ages welcome for the festivities. The egg hunt starts at 1 p.m. at the Pecatonica High School track, with festivities in downtown Pecatonica from 2-4 p.m. Easter Bunny visits and goodie bags at German American State Bank starting at 2 p.m. Other activities starting at 2 p.m. include bounce houses, petting zoo, face painting, temporary tattoos, balloon twister, bake sale, Chuck-a-Duck, egg decorating, games and more.
When: 1 p.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: Pecatonica High School, 1300 Main St., Pecatonica
Cost: Free
Eggspot Family Easter Egg Hunt
What: Special Easter eggs will be in shops across the mall for your family to spot and match to your map. Start at Norm's Piggy Pen to get your map, find all the eggs, then bring the map back for a special treat bag. Families can get photos with Norm’s resident rabbit, Annie. Parents can register to win a raffle basket.
When: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: Edgebrook Center, 1639 N. Alpine Road, Rockford
Cost: Free admission
Women Who Lead Gala
What: Women & Wealth will host its second annual event, Women Who Lead, a gala promoting women in leadership. The night will be a celebration for the women who lead in our community, which will include live jazz by Harlan Jefferson, keynote address by Karli Harvey Raymond, formal dinner and a presentation of awards honoring strong women in the community who advance women's leadership and exemplify leadership.
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: Cliffbreakers Conference Center, 700 W. Riverside Blvd., Rockford
Cost: $125
Easter Egg Hunt at Camp Winnebago
What: Bring the whole family out to Camp Winnebago for an outdoor Egg Hunt and some Easter fun, games, and crafts. Bring your own Easter baskets or bags. We will have thousands of eggs to find filled with candy and prizes. Find a golden egg for a special prize.
When: Noon – 3 p.m. Saturday, March 30 (gates open at 11:30 a.m.)
Where: Camp Winnebago, 5804 N. Main St., Rockford
10-year anniversary party
What: Join Lucette Holistic Salon & Boutique in celebrating its 10-year anniversary. Begin the morning with a Walk For Water at 9 a.m. Meet back at the salon afterward for yoga, dance, food and coffee trucks, local business tents, crafts and special deals.
When: 11 a.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: Lucette Holistic Salon & Boutique, 508 E. State St., Rockford
Bunny Hop Happy Hour
What: Wear your bunny ears and be entered in for a $50 gift certificate and enjoy half-price glasses of wine.
When: 5-7 p.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: After the Vine, 163 Hawick St., Rockton
Sensory friendly Easter Bunny
What: Superhero Center for Autism to host Donuts with the Easter Bunny.
The center will be open for 45-minute time slots for donuts, crafts and photos with the Easter Bunny. We will have a photographer to take pictures of you and your superhero(es). We ask due to limited capacity that each family only register immediate family to ensure enough space for everyone. If event is full, please complete the waitlist. We will accommodate if we can!
When: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: The Superhero Center for Autism, 4205 Galleria Drive, Loves Park
Store opening celebration
What: We’re throwing a Warhammer party for our store opening. We will have all sorts of swag and sought-after exclusive miniatures as well.
When: Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: Warhammer Rockford, 575 S. Perryville Road, Suite 107, Rockford
Kids building workshop
What: Enjoy a hands-on DIY project with your kids. Choose from a toolbox or flower planter. Supervision of a parent and/or guardian is required. Register each participating child online. The event is geared toward children ages 6 - 11, but all ages are welcome.
When: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: Rockford Public Library, 6685 E. State St., Rockford
Coral Cove Easter Egg Hunt
What: Annual Easter Egg Hunt is for children 13 years old and younger. Eggs are filled with tickets, tokens, prizes and more. Kids will be separated into age groups and let into the building by age group starting at 10 a.m. Egg limit determined by number of guests. Every child will receive a wristband to jump in the bounce houses for the rest of the day. Call or stop by for more details. 100 child limit.
When: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: Coral Cove Family Fun Center, 586 Progressive Lane, South Beloit
Cost: $12 per child; save $2 with advance ticket; 2 for $15
ICON Creator Expo
What: From singers, rappers, photographers, producers, podcasters, writers, and influencers, come join us for our first ICON Creator Expo. We’ve created this special event to bring serious artists and creatives together for a day of networking and learning. See how our new services at ICON Studios can enhance your career and drive you to new heights. Event includes studio tour, exclusives discounts and giveaways.
When: 1-5 p.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: Test Site Art Foundation, 213 N. Third St., Rockford
Cost: Free
Premier Card Shows
What: Vendors from all over the Midwest will have vintage, modern, TCG (Pokemon etc.), non-sports high-end, bargain boxes, sealed product, autographs, sports memorabilia and supplies. Come to buy, sell or trade.
When: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: IBEW 364 Henry Miller Hall, 6820 Mill Road, Rockford
Easter Egg Hunt and more
What: Activities, registration and pictures with the Easter Bunny begin at 9 a.m., with the egg hunt at 10 a.m. Grab a donut or cookie while supplies last
When: 9 a.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: Alpine Lutheran Church of Rockford, 5001 Forest View Road, Rockford
Easter Egg Hunt
What: Annual Easter Egg Hunt features goodie bags with treats for all the kids. Prizes for most eggs found and a special egg for a special prize.
When: 11 a.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: Cornerstone Baptist Church, 5622 35th St., Rockford
Coming up next week
Guest Bartending Fundraiser
What: Please plan to join us for the Second Annual Build-a-Bike Guest Bartending event on Thursday, April 4th at Wild Cherries: Food, Bar and Slots. 4-7pm. All tips go to support this year’s event. Dinner buffet also available.
When: 4-7 p.m. Thursday, April 4
Where: Wild Cherries Food, Bar and Slots, 345 Southtowne Drive, Belvidere
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: 28 things to do this weekend in the Rockford area
