Go Rockford

04/02/2025

GoRockford is pleased to announce its third round of restaurant grants to local eateries still struggling with high unemployment taxes because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 51 businesses received grants in this round, sharing $189,871.52 in much-needed financial relief.

“The Restaurant Relief Grant is making a real difference for our local hospitality industry,” said John Groh, President/CEO of GoRockford. “These businesses shape our community identity, spark creativity and create vital jobs. We’re proud to see another round of funding go to the hardworking restaurant owners whose passion helps Rockford and our region grow, thrive and remain a vibrant place to live and visit.”

GoRockford (formerly Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau) is pleased to announce recipients of its third round of restaurant grants, targeted to local eateries still struggling with high unemployment taxes because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

04/02/2025

🏓 Get ready, Rockford! 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 are bringing elite competition to the UW Health Sports Factory from April 4-6!

Over 250 top student-athletes from more than 50 colleges and universities will battle it out for national titles in singles, doubles, and team events. Expect lightning-fast reflexes, intense rallies, and world-class talent on full display! 💥

✨ 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
📆 Friday, April 4: Opening Ceremony at 2 PM | Doubles Semifinals & Finals at 7:30 PM
🏆 Saturday, April 5: Team Finals at 1 PM
🥇 Sunday, April 6: Championship Rounds at 9 AM | Singles Finals at 9:30 AM

🎟 Tickets:
$10 for a Single Day Pass
$20 for a 3-Day Pass

Don’t miss out — grab your tickets and be part of the action!

04/01/2025

It’s opening day at Historic Attractions! 🚗

Explore 80,000 sq. ft. of exhibits featuring Presidential limousines, Hollywood movie cars, old west artifacts, and so much more. Your journey through history starts today — don’t miss it!"

📍13825 Metric Dr. Roscoe, IL

03/30/2025

If your idea of a weekend well spent includes axe throwing, a round of golf, cold drinks, and cheering from the stands—you’ll want to check out this itinerary for the perfect guys' weekend in Rockford. 🍻💪

Make your guys’ weekend unforgettable in Rockford, IL! From craft breweries and outdoor adventures to hearty meals and local entertainment, discover the perfect mix of fun and relaxation.

03/29/2025

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝗮 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆, 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲-𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗹? JC’s BBQ and More Inc is now open on Rockford’s west side!

They’re serving up delicious Mississippi-style BBQ, crispy catfish, BBQ fries, jerk chicken, and signature Polish sausages — all made with care and full of flavor.

Come support this new local business and enjoy a meal that’ll remind you of good times and great cooking.

📍 4333 W State St. Rockford, IL

03/27/2025

College Table Tennis Championships is coming your way next week at the UW Health Sports Factory, April 3-6th. As with any event, we need some helpful hands and feet, aka people that are interested in helping out in certain areas on Wednesday, April 2nd and Thursday April 3rd (9-5pm)

Also if anyone is skilled in Sport Journalism, Video editing or Video production (this is for during the event) we would love to have you! We can feed you and give you a tournament polo. Any interest, please contact W***y at [email protected] or text: 850.445.0780

03/27/2025

It's 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆! 🎭 Celebrate with a show that stirs the soul.

In 𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘒𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘦𝘢, 18-year-old Dontrell Jones III embarks on a poetic, modern-day odyssey to find an ancestor lost in the Middle Passage.

Written by Rockford’s own Nathan Alan Davis and directed by his father, George Davis, this powerful production runs through April 6 at The West Side Show Room. Check it out this weekend!

📅 Thu, March 27 | 7–8:30 p.m.
📅 Fri, March 28 | 8–9:30 p.m.
📅 Sat, March 29 | 8–9:30 p.m.
📅 Sun, March 30 | 4–5:30 p.m.
📍 The West Side Show Room | 1414 N Main St, Rockford
🎟️ Free tickets | Donations encouraged

03/27/2025

🚂 All aboard for the 2025 Rock River Valley Train Show

Get ready for a weekend of family-friendly fun with over an acre of railroad excitement! Explore operating train layouts, shop new & used trains, model supplies, collectibles, and more. Don’t miss your chance to win awesome door prizes!

📅 Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
📅 Sunday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
💵 $5 cash admission for adults
👧 Kids + parking = FREE
📍Harlem High School | 9229 N. Alpine Rd. Machesney Park, IL

Mark your calendars—this is one train you won’t want to miss! 🚉

03/24/2025

🎟️ 𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗧 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬
Win 2 tickets to RSO at the Arcade + a $15 gift card to Prairie Street Brewing Co.!
👉Enter by liking this post and commenting your favorite video game soundtrack!

𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗦 + 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗖 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦 THIS is the concert you've been waiting for! Rockford Symphony Orchestra + The Blueshift Big Band perform legendary soundtracks from 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘰, 𝘏𝘢𝘭𝘰, 𝘜𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥, and more—LIVE on stage! 📆 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟱 | 𝟳:𝟯𝟬 𝗽.𝗺. | 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗼 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗲

𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀:
🎮 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament before the show, hosted by the Rockford University Regents Esports
🍻 After-party + musician meet & greet at Prairie Street Brewing Co.

🏆 Winner announced Friday, March 28

03/23/2025

𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲! 🥾 Sign up today for the FREE Rockford Adventure Trail and discover scenic spots and thrilling activities throughout our beautiful region. Earn points with every check-in toward incredible prizes. Share your discoveries by tagging and using on social media.

👉SIGN UP TODAY: https://www.gorockford.com/things-to-do/adventure-trail/

03/23/2025

Rockford isn’t nicknamed “The Forest City” for nothing. There are over 20,000 acres of parks and forest preserves to explore that make the Rockford region a premiere outdoor destination. 🌳 Want to create your own outdoor adventure? Check out our green itinerary!

Rockford isn’t nicknamed “The Forest City” for nothing. There are over 20,000 acres of parks and forest preserves to explore that make the Rockford region a premiere outdoor destination.

03/22/2025

☀️🎨Looking for the perfect warmer weather
activity? Sign up for the 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 Rockford Public Art Trail
and explore iconic murals and sculptures throughout
the region! Each check-in earns you points toward fun
prizes—making it a colorful way to enjoy the outdoors.

👉 gorockford.com/things-to-do/public-art-trail

03/21/2025

𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘂𝘀 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱-𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 Stroll on State 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱!🎈
Hard Rock Casino Rockford is sponsoring a new balloon to join our growing Rockford-proud line up! What Rockford icon would go great with Rick Nielsen’s guitar, Rockford Peaches, a screw for Screw City and a Sock Monkey? Tell us for your chance to win!

Give us your idea for the newest Rockford themed balloon in the comments below!👇 Any positive, Rockford-themed ideas will be 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗩𝗜𝗣 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝘁. We can’t wait for you to see the newest balloon at Stroll on State 2025, November 29 in Downtown Rockford, Illinois.

03/19/2025

Say "I Do" to wedding season in Rockford! 🤍 Planning your big day just got easier (and way more fun!) with these fabulous upcoming wedding expos:

💍 Stateline Splendor Bridal Expo
📍 Hard Rock Casino Rockford | 🗓️ March 23

💍 Wedding Expo at Union Event Space
📍 Union Rockford | 🗓️ March 30

💍 Downtown Rockford Wedding Expo
📍 Rockford City Market | 🗓️ April 5

Browse top local vendors, gather inspiration, and bring your wedding vision to life! Save the date 📝

03/18/2025

Still making plans for spring break? We've got your 𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 covered right here in Rockford! Enjoy hands-on fun at Discovery Center Museum 🚀, hike the trails at Rock Cut State Park 🌳, explore dinosaurs at Burpee Museum 🦖, and wrap it all up with delicious eats and sweet treats around town 🍦🍕

Check out the full itinerary and make some spring memories 👇

Plan the perfect family-friendly weekend in Rockford, IL! Explore interactive museums, outdoor adventures, local dining, and unique attractions for kids and parents alike.

03/17/2025

🏀 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲! Cheer on your favorite teams at some of Rockford’s best spots to catch the action. Let us know your go-to spot in the comments!

🏀 Ernie’s Midtown Pub
🏀 The GOAT Pub and Grill
🏀 Murphy's Pub
🏀 AERO Ale House Loves Park
🏀 Oscar's Pub & Grill
🏀 8th Ward Pub
🏀 Hard Rock Casino Rockford
🏀 Caseyspub
🏀 The Olympic Tavern

03/16/2025

Local coffee, women-owned, community-loved. This Women's History Month, show your love for Rockford by supporting these incredible, women-owned coffee shops.
👉Sign up for the Rockford Area Coffee Trail to check in at these spots and earn rewards while supporting local women entrepreneurs! https://www.gorockford.com/things-to-do/rockford-area-coffee-trail/

☕️ DeeDee's Main Street Coffee & Decor
☕️ Meg's Daily Grind
☕️ My Cafè Amorè
☕️ Rosie’s Coffee Company
☕️ Katie's Cup