By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — It’s the first full weekend of 2023, and there are plenty of ways to spend it in the Rockford area.
You could start your weekend early with the Harlem Globetrotters on Thursday, or you can sip wine for a good cause on Friday, test your biology trivia knowledge on Saturday or catch some stand-up comedy on either Friday or Saturday.
Here are 11 ideas for things to do this weekend in the Rockford area:
Watch the world’s ‘winningest’ team
The Harlem Globetrotters bring their 2023 World Tour to Rockford on Thursday to take on the Washington Generals at the BMO Center.
Quick facts:
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5
Admission: Tickets start at $28
Info: harlemglobetrotters.com/world-tour/schedule/bmo-center
More news: Festival of Lights draws more than 105K visitors, near last year’s record numbers
Sip wine for Shelter Care Ministries
Taste a lineup of various wines at First Fridays Wine Tastings, a monthly event hosted by Artale & Co. to benefit local charities. This month it supports Shelter Care Ministries, which supports the homeless and adults with mental illness.
Quick facts:
Where: Artale & Co., 6876 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
When: 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6
Admission: $15
More info: artaleandco.com
Spend an evening at ‘the coolest place in town’
Frosty Fridays discount public ice-skating sessions return this week at Carlson Ice Arena, dubbed “the coolest place in town” by the Rockford Park District.
Quick facts:
Where: Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park
When: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6
Info: rockfordparkdistrict.org/publicskate
Test your brain on biology facts
Gather your smartest friends to battle other teams at Biology Trivia Night at Burpee Museum of Natural History. It’s a competitive test of knowledge on animals, plants, dinosaurs and other biology facts.
Quick facts:
Where: Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7
Info: burpee.org/trivia-night
Want to train more in the new year?
The Sinnissippi Station Model Train Exhibit is a reoccurring event, open from noon-8 p.m. this Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. 3 p.m. Sunday at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St.
The exhibit features nine structures modeled after Rockford landmarks, as well as other historical structures.
Quick facts:
Where: Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St.
When: Reoccurring through Jan. 29
More info: nicholasconservatory.com/sinnissippi-station
Catch some comedy at the cantina
Lucha Cantina’s first comedy show of the new year features headliner Justin Leon with Raegan Niemela, Darrell Cochran and Michael Cuske.
Quick facts:
Where: Lucha Cantina, 1641 N. Alpine Road, Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6
Admission: $7
Info and tickets: lucharockford.com
Last chance for All Aglow
It’s closing weekend for All Aglow, the holiday lights display outside of Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens.
Quick facts:
Where: Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St., Rockford
When: Open daily through Sunday, Jan. 8. Park closes at 10 p.m.
More info: nicholasconservatory.com/all-aglow
More news: Wonder what’s in the cards for the new year? Rockford tarot reader ready for biz uptick
Donate blood in honor of a late Rockford police officer
The Rock River Valley Blood Center and the Jaimie Cox Foundation will host the second annual Jaimie Cox Foundation Memorial Blood Drive on Saturday.
Anyone who donates will be eligible for the 13 WREX drawing to win a television donated by Primetime Audio Video.
Quick facts:
Where: Hononegah High School, 307 Salem St., Rockton
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7
Information: rrvbc.org
Have a laugh and a slice
Windsor Pizza Parlor will host its first stand-up comedy night of the new year with headliner Tyler Fowler. The show also features Jose Montero, Alex Savant and Joseph Christopher.
Quick facts:
Where: Windsor Pizza Parlor, 1034 Windsor Road, Loves Park
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7
Where: Windsor Pizza Parlor, 1034 Windsor Road, Loves Park
Admission: Free
For more: windsorpizzaparlor.com
Have a musical smörgåsbord
Trinadora duo Janel Nelson and Ron Holm will host their first Saturday Smörgåsbord of music at Stockholm Inn. The duo mixes pop, folk, country, jazz, blues, Latin and Celtic into its performance.
Quick facts:
Where: Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford
When: 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7
Admission: Free
For more: trinadora.com/events
Tour the Barnes Mansion
Tour the Williams Fletcher Barnes mansion, which was built in 1893, and learn about the origins of the Burpee Musuem of Natural History.
Quick facts:
Where: Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 10:30 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7; 10:30 a.m. and noon on Sunday, Jan. 8
Admission: $17 adults ($5 for members); $15 youth ($5 for members)
Information: burpee.org/barnes-mansion-tours
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.