By Chelsea Meyer
Rock River Current
Get our newsletter
ROCKFORD — Going downtown to watch the fireworks has been a Fourth of July family tradition in many households since Joe Marino started the annual show in 1963.
This year’s display will have more pyrotechnic effects than any Rockford Skyconcert in history, said Ted O’ Donnell, co-chairman of The Rockford 4th of July Committee and Marino’s nephew.
Since 2018, O Donnell and his cousin Tom Luepkes have taken over the role of chairmen for Marino, who died that year at age 92.
The two Rockford natives raised more than $80,000 to give the Rockford area an Independence Day celebration that rivals larger cities. They still have more to raise to cover the total costs.
Together, they oversee the Patriotic Parade, firework display and other events in downtown Rockford during Fourth of July.
Related: Festival of Lights in Rockford sets new attendance record
The committee has worked with the top pyrotechnic companies in North America. This year’s head pyrotechnician, Mike Zuzock, has lead more than 1,000 professional fireworks displays, including shows for the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bears, Northwestern University and Navy Pier.
“They have a plethora of fireworks that typically aren’t seen in our show so this has opened up the opportunity to bring all these new fireworks in,” O’ Donnell said in an interview with the B103 Morning Routine. “So this year’s show is going to be absolutely ridiculous. What they’ve presented us with is going to be nothing like we’ve done in years’ history.”
O’Donnell tells B103 this year will have a lot of effect fireworks.
“Uncle Joe would always be like, ‘Get your oohs and aahs downtown,’ you know, that was his thing,” O’Donnell said.
As of June 9, it roughly costs $90,000 to put on this event with fireworks, permits, insurance and other expenses. To ensure that Skyconcert is bigger and better every year, donations can be made on the 4th of July Committee website or mailed to their office: Rockford 4th of July Civic Committee, 728 N. Prospect St., Suite 107, Rockford, IL 61107.
More things to do: Polish Fest returns to Rockford after two-year hiatus
Parade information and route
Several hundred motorcycles kick off the parade at 4:40 p.m., and the Screw City Jeep parade follows on the parade route at 4:50 p.m.
The main parade begins at 5 p.m. with more than 50 units representing a large cross section of our community.
The parade forms on Seventh Street and Sixth Avenue and proceeds north on Seventh Street to State Street, west on State Street, crosses the bridge and continues down State until it disbands at Church Street.
About the fireworks display
This year’s display will include the strongest finale in Rockford ever, with a powerful finish of gold crackling willows, brocade palms and titanium salutes filling the sky. It’s choreographed to a wonderful selection of traditional and modern patriotic music.
The fireworks for each song are choreographed to show a unique scene in the sky for each piece of music. Color, effect and sound patterns all factor in to the design and planning for each segment of the display.
There will be many brand-new fireworks effects, including double and triple sweeper rings, spinners with crossette rings, Saturn shells with strobe rings to magic peonies, coconut strobes with colored pistils, and more.
Products included in the display were designed and manufactured from the USA, China, Japan, Spain and Italy.
The setup requires five pyrotechnicians two days to install more than 6,000 pounds of equipment, thousands of mortar tubes and racks, and more than 1,500 feet of XLR of cable. In addition to the setup, the design and preparation included more than 80 man hours of choreography, labeling, packaging, product testing and planning.
More news: Judging a book by its cover is part of the charm at Maze Books in Rockford
Road closings
Roads in and around downtown will begin to shut down at 2 p.m.
The Jefferson Street bridge, Whitman Street bridge and Auburn Street bridge will all be open for traffic to get to downtown. Main street will be open, except during the parade.
Parking
All city parking garages and public parking lots will be available at no charge. Private parking lots may have charges. On-street parking will not be allowed on State Street. Any cars parked on State on July 4 will be towed.
Schedule of events
7 a.m.: Lifescape 4th of July Classic run/walk on North Madison Street near the trolley stop in downtown Rockford.
8:30 a.m.: Patriotic Prayer Breakfast at Beattie Park, off North Main Street and Park Avenue
3:30 p.m.: Gramps with Amps performs at the Joe Marino statue at State and Water streets
4 p.m.: Davis Park box office opens, cash or credit accepted; $5 donation for admission; children 5 and younger enter free; $4 admission for veterans
Davis Park will have live entertainment and a free children’s area featuring Wonder Woman, Captain America, face-painters, glitter tattoo artists and kids yard games. Olivo Taco, Pizza Fresca, DNA Concession and Rapped with Smoke BBQ will be in the park. Hayes Distribution (Miller Light, PBR, Coors Light, Truly Twisted Tea and more) along with Pepsi products are also available in the park.
4:30 p.m.: Dominick Bennett will be the parade emcee at the grandstand on Wyman and State streets
4:40 p.m.: Motorcycle parade begins
4:50 p.m.: Screw City Jeeps parade begins
5:00 p.m.: Patriotic Parade begins
5:30 p.m.: Children’s entertainment inside Davis Park begins
6 p.m.: Entertainment inside Davis Park begins with music from Dirty Pop
6 p.m.: Free music entertainment at Ingersoll Centennial Park, 315 S. First St., begins from Old Soul Radio
6 p.m.: Free music entertainment at the parade grandstand begins from Bootleg Soul
9:15 p.m.: Davis Park box office/front entrance closes
9:30pm: Rockford 4th of July Civic Committee, MEIJER, MidWest Family Broadcasting, WTVO17/FOX39 present Skyconcert 2021. Tune to 103.1 for the synchronized soundtrack to the 30-minute firework spectacle in the sky.
10 p.m.: Event ends
This article is by Chelsea Meyer. Email her at chelsea@b103fm.com.