The Rockford Chamber of Commerce is excited to host the 53rd Annual Start of Summer Celebration this year in downtown Rockford featuring all the favorites from years past including a carnival, parade, food & craft vendors, entertainment, kids activities, and more! This years festival runs June 9-12.
Everything that a hometown community could hope to offer as an introduction to summer takes place beginning with an all-ride wristband for just $20 open to everyone, not just city residents, this year for the first time. The public can enjoy all the fun family rides North American MidWay Carnival beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 9. The carnival is set up in the Parking Lot South of the Rockford Dam and will have tons of rides and games to please everyone. The carnival will sell wrist bands for a full day of rides on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for just $25 per day.
Both Rockford Brewing Company and the Rockford Lions Club will have beer tents beginning Friday evening, The Corner Bar will have a open air area on Main Street. Enjoy a night under the tents and stars with excellent beverages, live entertainment and lots of company.
Saturday will be packed with fun activities for all. The Start of Summer Parade will be full of colorful and creative floats and begins at 11 a.m. Afterwards, the Department of Public Safety will have a Firetruck Pull on Bridge Street. Main Street will be closed down and filled with tons of children’s activities including a rock-climbing wall, make-and-take crafts, face painting, laser tag, and more!
Live entertainment will take place downtown and there will be a free outdoor movie on the Wolverine Worldwide green (former tannery site) on Friday. Saturday will also feature the Rockford Rotary Big Daddy Duck Race from the dam to end at Richardson-Sowerby Park. Come watch the ducks jump into the Rogue River. Ducks will begin their journey during the parade, be available for public judging (prettiest duck, most creative duck, ???). The duck race begins at 5pm on Saturday.
Sunday the public is invited to a service by BridgeWay Community Church in Garden Club Park. The carnival will be open until 5pm to get your last dose of rides in, and at 1 p.m. there will be a Kids for Kids Run. At 1:30 enjoy an amazing Family Talent Show at the Rotary Pavilion.
This year’s Start of Summer represents all the family favorites of American home town goodness. Plan to play games, enjoy a great variety of things to eat and have a full weekend of summer fun.
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