By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Anne D’Astice and her children come to Stroll on State with a plan of attack.

“We love the parade, and right from the parade we go City Hall and write our letters to Santa Claus,” said D’Astice, who owns Woodfire Brick Oven Pizza in downtown with her husband, Joe.

For Antonio Washington, walking through downtown with no destination in mind is part of the fun.

“Just explore and have fun,” he said. “You never know what you’re going to find. It’s kind of like a treasure hunt.”

Related: Festival of Lights brings ‘sheer joy’ to Rockford’s holiday season

Whether you beeline from hot cocoa to ice skating or just meander through the various shops and musical stages, there is no wrong way to Stroll. On Saturday, thousands of people filled downtown streets for the one-day holiday festival that returned this year after being halted a year ago by the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re thrilled to see people back here,” said John Groh, CEO of the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, which organizes the Stroll. “Our team works year round, volunteers work year round, to give this gift of Stroll to the community, and it’s great to see people live and in person having a great time.”

Related: ‘They work so hard for the magic of that one night’: Volunteers get set for Stroll on State

Upwards of 80,000 people have attended the event in past years. Attendance estimates are typically released a couple weeks after the event.

“It’s been a rough couple of years. To be able to come out and see some smiling faces, it’s a joy,” said Janessa Wilkins, a Rockford alderwoman. “We’re just excited to get out and get that old sense of normalcy.”

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Briana and Justin Schleicher took their kids to see Santa, reindeer in Davis Park, sipped hot cocoa and planned to take a wagon ride through the downtown.

“Just seeing the lights and being with the family and enjoying the holidays and getting in the spirit, it’s fun, it’s definitely worth a trip,” Briana Schleicher said.

D’Astice said the Stroll, now in its ninth year, is a holiday tradition for the family since her children were infants.

“The kids love coming down every single year,” she said. “It’s great for the community to get together and just have something to celebrate as the weather is turning and the holidays are starting.”

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.

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