It’s time to celebrate Fred VanVleet in his home town, and the Rockford Convention and Visitors Bureau has laid out how we’re going to do it.

With Auburn graduate and NBA champion returning home after helping the Toronto Raptors win their first NBA Championship, residents and visitors are invited 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 kids area including basketball hoops and activities, and a main stage production at 3 p.m. featuring guest speakers, surprises and an appearance by Fred himself.

Here is the official schedule of events

  • 1:30 p.m. – Community gathers at N. 2nd and E. State Streets
  • 1:45 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
“We are excited to welcome Fred VanVleet back to his hometown. He was an important member of the Toronto Raptors Championship team and is certainly a standout member of our community,” said RACVB President/CEO John Groh. “We know the community is excited to welcome him home, to show Fred the city’s excitement and appreciation first hand. Saturday will be a memorable, fun and festive day in the City of Rockford.”
For more details, visit GoRockford.com/FVVParty.

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