By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — This weekend offers the perfect chance to get a jump start on your Halloween candy hoarding with multiple trunk-or-treat events happening in the area.
Or you can catch a local play, a nationally touring comedy act or check out the Rockford IceHogs debut. (Get it, “check” out.)
We’ve offered just a couple of trunk-or-treat options on our list below; you can find more here. And there’s always more events and activities to discover on our events page.
Here are a dozen options for things to do:
See the debut of a Rockford native’s play
“The Wind And The Breeze” by Rockford native Nathan Alan Davis debuts on Thursday and will run through Nov. 6 at The West Side Show Room, 1414 N. Main St. on the city’s North End.
The play, which is set entirely on the State Street bridge, centers around a Rockford emcee who is approached by hip hop performers and forced to weigh whether to stay in the city or chase his dreams elsewhere.
It’s directed by Matthew Simpson.
Admission is free, but donations are accepted at the door. You can reserve tickets here.
Related: Rockford native’s play set on the State Street bridge produced here for the first time
Celebrate the start of hockey season
The Rockford IceHogs play in their home opener at 7 p.m. Saturday against the Chicago Wolves at the BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St.
You can help kick off the season at a block party that runs from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. outside the arena.
The IceHogs and Hard Rock Casino are hosting the event, which includes music from Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts and food from 15th & Chris, Ben’s Pretzels, Blaz’in Magic BBQ, Inzombia Coffee, Olivo Taco and TNT Funnel Cakes.
There’s also a T-shirt giveaway at the block party.
Related: ‘Suite deal’ between Rockford IceHogs and Hard Rock Casino
Trick or treat in a Victorian-era village
Midway Village Museum transforms its Victorian-era village into Halloween candy hunting grounds this weekend for its annual All Hallows Eve.
Kids are invited to dress up and visit the different shops and homes to collect candy. It costs $6, but entry is free for museum members and children younger than 4.
It runs from noon to 6 p.m. at the museum, 6799 Guilford Road.
Buy your tickets and get more information at midwayvillage.com.
A spooky trunk or treat
Twisted Crypt, the award-winning haunted house at 5420 E. State St. in Rockford, is hosting its first trunk-or-treat event this weekend.
It runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
More news: Introducing Colman Yards: A first look at the vision for Barber-Colman in Rockford
Sick cars, sweet treats
Mexico Americanos Saliendo Adelante, the group that brings you events such as Tamale Fest, will host a trunk-or-treat event from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Candy will be handed out from decorated cars and vehicles. The event is partially funded through the city’s Forward for Fun initiative.
Blackout for charity
Blackout Charity Events is hosting Blackout Party 10 with music by Jermaine Rideout and Soul Serious Band, Mmaa and Ken the Kid.
The event runs from 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday at the Tebala Event Center, 7910 Newburg Road, Rockford. Tickets cost $40 in advance or $50 at the door. VIP tickets are $75 in advance or $80 at the door. Proceeds benefit The Fatherhood Encouragement Project and KFACT.
You can get tickets through Eventbrite.
Have a rendezvous with witches and wizards
The Witches and Wizards Rendezvous is a Halloween event featuring music, magic, food, drinks, Tarot card readings and shopping.
It runs from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday at Tebala Event Center, 7910 Newburg Road, Rockford. Tickets cost $75 or $125 for a VIP ticket.
The money raised benefits the YWCA Northwestern Illinois.
You can get tickets and more information here.
Deconstruct Beethoven with RSO
Yaniv Segal, a conductor and finalist for the Rockford Symphony Orchestra’s role of music director, delivers a program titled Deconstructing Beethoven. It features guest composer Gabriel Prokofiev (the grandson of Sergei Prokofiev), who spins and remixes elements of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with funk, electronics and catchy club rhythms.
The concert goes from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford.
Shop small at local boutiques
The Shop Small Boutique Crawl features more than a dozen local shops offering clothing, self-care goods and more.
The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
You can pick up a punch card at any of the participating store and earn punches with purchases for a chance to win a $325 gift card. You can also show your punch card at Meg’s Daily Grind for $1 off any drink.
The vendors are: 510 Threads, Bark on Mulford, Bath & Body Fusion, Bonnie’s Boutique, Bygone Brand, Eurostyle+, Great Hang-Ups, Lallygag Boutique, Meg’s Daily Grind, One Love Candle & Bath, Porch, Possessions Resale Consignment, Primitive ‘n Proper and Roxy Carmichael Boutique.
Learn more on the Facebook event page.
Don’t be afraid of the woods
Severson Dells is hosting Spook the Dells from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at the nature center,
The family-friendly Halloween-themed event allows you to learn more about nocturnal animals that call Severson Dells home.
Admission is $5 for members or $8 for the general public.
Learn more and get tickets here.
Jaunt through jack-o-lanterns
Anderson Japanese Gardens‘ Path of Pumpkins returns Saturday through Oct. 30 at the gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road.
Anderson Japanese Gardens has partnered with schools around the region to provide this Halloween-themed experience. Middle and high school students have carved multiple pumpkins, and you can vote for your favorites.
Winners will be announced on social media on Halloween.
Admission is free for members or non-members pay the regular admission price.
Comedy at the Coronado
Grammy nominated comedian Nate Bargatze brings his tour to the Coronado on Sunday.
Bargatze, a clean and relatable comedian whose been described as “the nicest man in stand-up” by The Atlantic,” will perform at 8 p.m. at the Coronado, 314 N. Main St.
You can get tickets and more information here.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.