By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — This weekend will include several celebrations of Juneteenth, the federal holiday on June 19 that marks the emancipation of slaves in the United States.
You can dive into a Pre-Juneteenth Poetry Jam, hear music and storytelling centered around the holiday and the Underground Railroad or join the state’s longest-running Juneteenth celebration, which happens over two days this year in Sinnnissippi Park. Juneteenth is officially celebrated June 19.
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There’s plenty more to do this weekend, too: From concerts and comedy to shopping and dining. Here are 19 things to do in the Rockford area this weekend.
Old Settlers Days
About: This four-day festival features 14 musical artists and more than 50 attractions, including carnival rides and vendor booths. Headliners are Mitchell Tenpenny on Thursday, Marcus King on Friday, Jackson Dean on Saturday and Josh Turner on Sunday.
Where: Settlers Park, 200 Hawick St., Rockton
Admission: $6 through Thursday, June 15; $10 at the gate after
When: Thursday-Sunday
More info: oldsettlersdays.com
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Music and dinner on the dock
About: The Student Body performs at this week’s Dinner on the Dock. The weekly riverside concert brings different bands and musicians in each Thursday through Sept. 7.
Where: Prairie St. Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., Rockford
When: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, June 8
Cost: Reserve tables from $25-$90
Info/tickets: psbrewingco.com/event/dinner-on-the-dock-june-15
Shop the Midtown Market
About: The Rockford Midtown Market features farm fresh produce, pottery, body scrubs, coffee and other services and merchandise. The market runs Thursdays through Sept. 28.
Where: Rockford Public Schools parking lot, 501 Seventh St., Rockford
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, June 15
Info: facebook.com/pg/RockfordMidtownMarket
See a real Top Gun
About: Diamonds: Top Gun is a formal attire celebration featuring dinner, live entertainment, keynote speaker Michael Andrews, emcee Nicole Briscoe, interactive panel, cash bar, aircraft displays and other elements.
Where: Emery Air hangar at Chicago Rockford International Airport, 1 Airport Circle, Rockford
When: Thursday, June 15
Cost: $125 per person
Tickets/info: FoundersCommission.org/Diamonds
Updates: Follow Founders Commission social channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter).
See ‘In the Heights’
About: The latest production from Starlight Theatre, “In the Heights,” is a musical that combines Latin rhythms and dance with hip-hop lyrics to tell a story about what it means to chase your dreams.
Where: Starlight Theatre, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford
When: 8 p.m. Thursday, June 15, Friday, June 16 and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, June 17
Info and tickets: rvcstarlight.ludus.com
Hear Music in the Park
About: Music in the Park is an outdoor concert series held at the open-aired Sinnissippi Park Music Shell. Rosie and the Rivets perform this week.
Where: Sinnissippi Park Music Shell, 1401 N. Second St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, June 15
Take your kids to a barnyard bonanza
About: Discovery Center Museum will host EIEIO, a barnyard bonanza with live animals, games and other activities. Kids can take the duck boat challenge, build a barn, play chicken Plinko, create animal puppets and use eggs to explore the density of water.
Where: Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, June 16
Admission: $10; free to museum members and children younger than 1
Info: discoverycentermuseum.org/all-events/event/3372-eieio-family-friday
Shop at Rockford City Market
About: Rockford City Market features music from Long-Shot and Redwood this week. The market features more than 60 vendors offering produce, baked goods, food, beer, clothing, handmade goods and other merchandise.
Where: Rockford City Market, 116 N. Madison St., Rockford
When: 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 16
Info: rockfordcitymarket.com
Hear Music on the Mall
About: Edgebrook Shopping Center’s free weekly summer concert series Music on the Mall continues Friday with a performance by 80s Hit List.
Seating is free at the outdoor event. Lucha Cantina will provide quick-service food.
When: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 16
Where: Edgebrook, 1639 N. Alpine Road, Rockford
See an ABBA Salute Concert
About: Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute will perform its live musical mix filled with disco fashion and flair.
Where: The Nordlof Center, 118 N Main St., Rockford
When: 6 p.m. Friday, June 16
Cost: $30; $25 for Swedish Historical Members
Info: swedishhistorical.org/events
See Duke Otherwise
About: Duke Otherwise blends tap dancing, guitar, comedy and other performing arts into this all ages show filled with interactive elements.
When: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, June 15
Where: Cherry Valley Public Library, 755 E. State St., Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Watch Pride Month Movies
About: The Liam Foundation and Rockford Public Library presents Pride Month Movies, a film series that includes a brief discussion after each movie concludes. This week’s movie is “A Road to Home,” which follows six LGBT youth through New York City as they learn to find a sense of purpose and direction for their lives.
Where: 118 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 6 p.m. Thursday, June 15
Info: Learn more here
Shop the Saturday North End Market
About: A group of farmers, makers and growers setup the weekly North End Market, which is near the North Main and Auburn streets roundabout in Rockford. You can find an amazing assortment of fresh veggies, fruits, flowers, honey, baked goods and more.
When: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 17
Where: Auburn and North Main streets
Info: rockfordcitymarket.com/northend
Poetry jam at Nordlof
About: Writer, activist and poet Christopher D. Sims will host this Pre-Juneteenth Poetry Jam in downtown Rockford.
Where: Nordlof Center Black Box Theatre, 118 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 17
Celebrate Maze Books 1-year anniversary
About: Maze Books will celebrate its first year in business with sales, special items and a chance to win a yearlong discount on new and used books. There will also be a live reading from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and VeeDubs mobile cocktail bar will be on site.
Where: Maze Books, 117 S. Third St., Rockford
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 17 (live reading from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
Info: Facebook event page HERE
Juneteenth concert at Inscape
About: Performing artist, playwright and author Dorothy Paige-Turner will present an evening honoring Juneteenth through music, stories and poetry. The event, called “Songs and Stories of the Underground Railroad and the History of the Juneteenth Holiday,” will also explore how secret and coded messages are embedded within spirituals and folk songs. Seating is first-come, first-served and limited to 50 people.
Where: Inscape Collective, 201 Seventh St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, June 17 (doors open at 6 p.m.)
Admission: Free
Shop the South Main Mercado
About: The South Main Mercado is a new outdoor market serving south Rockford and the Rockford community. It started as an idea to showcase the Hispanic/Latino community and has grown into a larger community event that organizers hope will continue for years to come.
Heritage Museum Park will be filled with a variety of vendors and food trucks, and there will be local artists and performers.
Where: Heritage Museum Park, 1129 S. Main St., Rockford
When: noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 17
Info: ethnicheritagemuseum.org/south-main-mercado
Laughs at an English pub
About: Comedian Chastity Washington, who recently released her debut special “Live at Dandy” on Amazon Prime, will headline comedy night at Hope and Anchor in Loves Park.
Where: Hope & Anchor, 5040 N. Second St., Loves Park
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, June 17
Admission: $10
Info: Facebook event page HERE
Celebrate Juneteenth
About: The longest-running Juneteenth celebration in Illinois will take place over two days this weekend. The event has long been organized by Tommy Meeks to cultivate knowledge and appreciation of African American history. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when the last African-American slaves held in Confederate states were finally freed by the Union army.
Event schedule: See the full schedule of events HERE.
Where: Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. Second St., Rockford
When: Sunday and Monday, June 18 and 19
Info: juneteenth1865.com
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.