By Kevin Haas and Steve Summers
Rock River Current
Get our mobile app

LOVES PARK — A music festival that started last summer as a celebration of the city’s 75th birthday is back this year with a new lineup of bands, food trucks, vendor tents, kids games and fireworks.

The Rhythm of the Heart Festival will be an annual event if it continues to be as successful as last year’s birthday bash, said Loves Park Mayor Greg Jury. The event runs from 1 p.m to 10:30 p.m. July 29 at City Hall grounds, 100 Heart Blvd., and it’s free for everyone to attend.

“It’s free admission to come into the event and that’s all due to the sponsors,” Jury said. “The sponsors are covering almost the whole cost of this event, and the whole community gets to benefit from it.”

There are more than 40 local businesses and organizations supporting the event. Hard Rock Casino Rockford is the main sponsor.

There will be kids activities put on by the Rockford Park District such as an obstacle course, and the Rockford Rivets will have dunk tanks and batting cages, Jury said.

The musical lineup is long-shot, LynSkynyrd, Abbey Road and BiG SUiT.

More news: Get ready to see this new inflatable outdoor hockey rink ‘all over Rockford’

The Gentlemen Car Club, a group of local car enthusiasts, will showcase their mix of hot rods and classic vehicles from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“A lot of people come out to see that,” Jury said. “This year we’ve moved them closer in to where the music and food is so they can be part of the festival also.”

Festival lineup

long-shot: 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

LynSkynyrd: 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Abbey Road: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

BiG SUiT: 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (first act)

Fireworks: 9:40 p.m.

BiG SUiT: 10 p.m. to 10:20 p.m. (final act)

Where: City Hall festival grounds, 100 Heart Blvd., Loves Park

When: 1 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29

Info: rhythmoftheheartfest.com

This article is by Kevin Haas with interviews by Steve Summers. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas