List of events for Rockford 815 Day 2024

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – Rockford Day 2024 is just around the corner and several local organizations and businesses are preparing to celebrate the best things about the Forest City.

Rockford Day, or 815 Day, is celebrated annually on August 15, or 15.8, and is an opportunity for people in the Rockford area to be proud of where they live.

Wondering how you can join in on all the fun?

Below is a full list of events planned in the community. While most Rockford Day festivities will take place on Thursday, August 15, some events will continue through the weekend.

The Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau has also put together a map of all the festivities taking place throughout the city.

815 daily events

Kick-off celebration for Rockford Day!

8:15 am | Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Rd., Rockford

Mayor Tom McNamara and other city leaders kick off the citywide Rockford 815 Day celebration and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Midway Village Museum.

River District Association

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | First Street between State Street and Market Street in Rockford

The River District Association is hosting a Beats & Bites party downtown with yard games, music and food trucks.

815 Day of Kindness Project

8:15 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.| Various locations throughout the Rockford region

815 Acts of Kindness by Miracle Mile Rockford is back for 815 Day! Find a kindness board, grab a card and complete your kind act. Once you’re done, post on social media with #BeKind815for a chance to be featured on the Rockford 815 Day Facebook page. More information about the project can be found here. Kindness cards are available at locations across the region.

Rockford Miracle Mile

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Fairview Shopping Center, 3600 E. State St., Rockford

Join us in celebrating the 815th day on the mile at Fairview Shopping Center! Watch and participate as local artist Bryan Douglas creates beautiful masterpieces, take a celestial journey at Space Case Sarah Planetarium, and explore the unique shops at Fairview. Plus, there will be surprises and donation opportunities for various charities.

Edgebrook Shops

10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Edgebrook Shops, 1639 N. Alpine Rd., Rockford

Edgebrook Shops is hosting a special 815 Day Music on the Mall concert from 6-8 p.m. featuring an 80’s hit list band at center court! Lucha Cantina will have a food and drink tent with an $8.15 sale. Donation stations and gift card areas will be available for the Rockford Rescue Mission and Pregnancy Care Center of Rockford. There will also be a special 815 Day Sidewalk Sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pig Minds Brewing Co.

7 to 9 p.m. | Pig Minds Brewing Co., 4080 Steele Dr., Rockford

Pig Minds is hosting a quiz night on the theme of 815. Participants can also come along to pick up a Kindness card.

The Bricks Event Center

4 p.m. to 7 p.m. | The Bricks Venue Center, 125 Walnut St., Cherry Valley

Shop at vendors and grab a snack from local food trucks. Cattle & Cream will also host a barbecue. The event will also include live music from Yesterdays Gone, a bag tournament, an obstacle course and inflatable axe throwing. Those who bring a donation to the Rock River Valley Pantry will win a chance to win free giveaways. Kindness cards will be available at Petals and Pickin’s.

Rockford Midtown Market

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | RPS 205 Headquarters Parking Lot, 501 7th St., Rockford

The Rockford Midtown Market is held weekly in the parking lot across from Katie’s Cup Coffee Bar. The event includes 15 vendors, a food truck and music.

815 Week at Prairie Street Brewing Co.

11th-17th August | Prairie Street Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., Rockford
- August 11-17: Menu featuring dishes made with local produce and proteins, plus Peach Wheat, a beer honoring the Rockford Peaches, available in cans or on draft.
- August 12: Kelly Steward at Dockside Live from 6pm to 9pm. The event is free and for all ages.
- August 15: Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts at Dinner on the Dock from 5pm to 10pm. This event is free and for all ages.

Celebrate 815 Day at City of Loves Park

11:00 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. | Carlito’s Munchie Station, 5723 N. 2nd St., Loves Park

The event will feature a variety of food trucks and shopping opportunities at local vendor booths. There will be fun activities for kids and live music. In addition to surprises and giveaways, Kindness cards will also be available to participate in the 815 Day Kindness Project.

Lemonade stand for the Oscar Mike Foundation

10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | John Morrissey Accountants, 5919 Spring Creek Rd., Rockford

The Morrissey Accountants and Family Business will be running a lemonade stand in support of the Oscar Mike Foundation. The Oscar Mike Foundation is a local nonprofit whose mission is to support injured veterans through disability sports and activities. Their goal is to raise $815 for Oscar Mike, with all donations matched by the Morrissey Family Business. Additionally, Mason Symons, a member of the Team USA wheelchair rugby team, will make a special appearance from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information about Oscar Mike, visit the foundation’s website.

Rockford Art Deli live print event

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Rockford Art Deli, 402 E. State St.

Get the iconic (815) print during a live printing event at the Rockford Art Deli. Bring your own t-shirt and have it printed for $8.15 or purchase a blank t-shirt in store and have it printed for $18.15. Limited edition t-shirts and unique test prints are available through 815 Day. Kindness cards are also available at RAD.

Midway Village Museum

5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Rd., Rockford

Join Midway Village in celebrating the history museum’s 50th anniversary and be transported back to the early 1900s. Festivities include historical figures, live music from the Grand Groove Hotel and a meal from Greenfire.

815 Street Festival

5:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. | First Covenant Church, 316 Wood Rd., Rockford

Celebrate the Rockford community with a street festival at First Covenant Church. There will be fair games, a diving pool, bounce houses, a food truck, arts and crafts, and a cornhole tournament.

Vines and varieties

3 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Vines and Variety, 4616 E. State St., Rockford

Vines and Variety will have 20 local vendors, food trucks, artists, makers and more. The event will be held in the parking lot and parking is available on the lower level and on Ridgeview Ave.

SWIFT

1 p.m. to 4 p.m. | The Ethnic Heritage Museum, 1005 South Main St., Rockford

The Ethnic Heritage Museum is open for tours of the galleries! Complete a tour and receive a coupon for a free granita at Zammuto’s, courtesy of the SWIFTT organization. Kindness cards are available at this location.

Winnebago County Forest Preserves

4:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. | Forest Preserve Headquarters, 5500 Northrock Dr., Rockford

Celebrate 815th Day with a nature-inspired scavenger hunt in Winnebago County’s conservation lands. Test your senses and see what sights and sounds you can find in the great outdoors. Find all the items and you’ll win a prize! Kindness cards and FPWC items are available at discounted prices at this event. This event is free, family friendly, and leashed pets are allowed. Parking is available in the parking lot in front of the administration building.

Family fun together in Davis Park

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Davis Park, 320 S. Wyman St., Rockford

Midland States Bank and other nonprofit partners will be hosting several fun booths in Davis Park! Activities include: face painting, tattoos, games, music, Rockford sign pictures, and more. At each booth, adults will learn how to volunteer and give back to the community.

The non-profit stands include:

Midland State Bank
Rockford Park District
Goodwill of Northern Illinois
NICNE (Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence at NIU)
Community Foundation of Northern Illinois
Family Peace Center
RACMI (Rockford Area Case Management Initiative)

815 Free Community Fair

1 p.m. to 5 p.m., August 17 | Dalquist Park, 3107 E. State St., Rockford

Life Decisions is hosting a FREE Community Fun Fair! Free food, games and prizes! There will be a petting zoo, bird of prey exhibit, face painting, photo booth and more.

For more information about 815 Day events or to participate, visit the GoRockford Rockford 815 Day website or Facebook page.