The weekend brings the Village of Pearl City Garage Sales, the Pretzel City 5K and Life-sized Candyland, along with food, live music and more to the Freeport area.
Village of Pearl City Garage Sales
What: More than 20 garage sales will include clothes of all sizes, furniture, toys, kitchen items, appliances, baby gear, books and collectibles.
When: June 25 – June 28
Where: Pearl City
AKC-sanctioned Agility Trials
What: Agility trials are competitive sporting events in which handlers guide their dogs through a complex, timed obstacle course. Dogs are evaluated on speed, accuracy and the ability to follow the handler’s verbal cues and body language. This competition brings competitors from across the Midwest. There are 350 runs each day.
When: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. June 26 – June 28
Where: Forest City Dog Training Center, 6303 Material Ave., Loves Park
Cost: Free to watch
Life-Sized Candyland
What: Take a journey through Candy Land’s magical landscapes, where you can step into the game as this beloved board game comes to life. Navigate a giant Candy Land board, meet colorful characters and enjoy some sweets as you play your way through this adventure.
When: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. June 26
Where: Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Sunset Social
What: Kick off summer with a rooftop sunset social with special guests Whiskey and Wildflowers Décor, Rapped with Smoke BBQ and LED Branding Co. There will be a photo booth, music, food, drinks and outdoor games. Take the elevator to the sixth floor and one flight of stairs to the rooftop.
When: 6 p.m. June 26
Where: Grand River Hall, 101 S. Liberty Ave., Freeport
American Son
What: The Boys and Girls Club of Freeport and Stephenson County present this play.
When: 6 p.m. June 26 and June 27
Where: Winneshiek Playhouse, 228 W. Clark St., Freeport
Cost: Free admission; donations welcomed
Outdoor Movie
What: Join us at the museum for an outdoor movie. Bring your own chairs or blankets for seating. Snacks will be available for purchase.
When: 8-10 p.m. June 26
Where: Cedarville Museum, 450 W. Second St., Cedarville
Cost: Free
Pretzel City 5K
What: This event is for both novice runners or seasoned competitors. Runners and walkers of all abilities are welcome to participate. The course consists of flat roadways and paths that wind through the park. The race is also part of the Rockford Road Runners circuit. All pre-registered participants will receive an event t-shirt. There will be refreshments and awards after the race.
When: 8 a.m. June 27 (race day registration is from 7-7:30 a.m.)
Where: Krape Park, 1799 S. Park Blvd, Freeport
Cost: $30; $15 for ages 19 and younger
Gran Fonda Tour Against Cancer
What: Ride some of the most beautiful roads in northwest Illinois. Dave Fonda, the founder of and inspiration for this event, loved cycling and his community. He started this fundraiser in 2007, dedicated to parlaying his passion into a cause that could help those fighting cancer. Dave lost his own battle in 2018, but he’s still a part of this event which has been renamed in his honor. The event is hosted by Chainlink Cyclists.
When: 8 a.m. June 27
Where: Tutty’s Crossing, 238 E. Stephenson St., Freeport
Cost: $25
Day in Cedarville
What: This all-day event starts with a flea market which is open from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The tractor display and the petting zoo open at 10 a.m. The RC Race Demo starts at 10 a.m. behind the center. There is a K9 demonstration at noon and story time with Jane Addams is at 1 p.m. in the gym. The museum will be open from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Cedarville Fire Department will have water fights from 3 – 6 p.m. Fireworks will start shortly after dusk.
When: 9 a.m. June 27
Where: Jane Addams Community Center, 430 W. Washington St., Cedarville
ZekeFest
What: Zekefest features nine bands: Black Sky Rebellion at 2 p.m., Lobbin Robbins at 3 p.m., Sum of Souls at 4 p.m. Erosions at 5 p.m., The Sparrow at 6 p.m., Derision Cult at 7 p.m., Origin Gone at 8 p.m., Blackcat Manor at 9 p.m. and Plant at 10 p.m.
When: 2 p.m. June 27 – 2 a.m. June 28
Where: Kings Bar & Grill, 1805 S. West Ave., Freeport
Cost: $10
Blue Steel
What: Blue Steel will perform on the Driftwood Stage.
When: 7-10 p.m. June 27
Where: Hooks and Bobbers, 612 Bridge St., Winslow
Freefall
What: Freefall will perform.
When: 7 p.m. June 27
Where: The Cedar Inn, 4747 IL Rt. 26, Cedarville
The Prince Experience
What: Guests must be 21 or older to attend the show; ID is required. Since 2002, Gabriel Sanchez has been portraying Prince in his critically acclaimed show The Prince Experience. What started off as Gabriel portraying Prince in a local theatre production of Purple Rain has expanded into a full-blown loving tribute to Prince. This is a general admission event.
When: 8 p.m. June 27 (doors open at 7 p.m.)
Where: Hard Rock Casino Rockford, 7801 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: $33-$81
Silence the Sirens
What: Silence The Sirens is a collaboration of misfit musicians, ready to bring punk/rock/pop, grunge, and alternative rock influences to the scene. They pack a punch with a high energy show covering bands like No Doubt, Sum 41, Rancid, Stone Temple Pilots and Foo Fighters. They have a punk rock attitude and original songs as well. Collectively, Silence the Sirens has decades of experience across many bands and genres. The band features Melissa Kieler on vocals/keytar and bass, Eric Radke on lead/rhythm guitar and vocals, Andrew Olszewski on bass and vocals and Ethan Rupp on drums and vocals.
When: 2-5 p.m. June 28
Where: Lena Brewing Company, 9426 W. Wagner Road, Lena
Music on the Patio
What: Mark your calendars for the first music on the patio of the season. Lady and the Tramp will perform. There will be also be food and drink specials.
When: 4-7 p.m. June 28
Where: The Freeport Club, 1614 S Park Blvd, Freeport
Music Under the Stars
What: Come hear the Freeport Concert Band in the summer music series. Come on out and enjoy all genres of music led by a guest conductor each week, with vocal and instrumental soloists adding to the excitement. Join us at Krape Park for a weekly concert. The variety of artists will entertain all ages. There’s plenty of bench seating or bring along some lawn chairs.
When: 7-9 p.m. June 28
Where: Koenig Amphitheatre, Krape Park, Freeport
Cost: Free admission
Coming next week
Make it Monday
What: Drop in each Monday between 2 and 4 p.m. to make a craft. This week, participants will be making summer memory jars.
When: 2-4 p.m. June 29
Where: Freeport Public Library meeting room, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Bedazzled Books
What: Bring in a favorite book and use provided supplies to bedazzle it. Your favorite book will be beautiful and displayable. It’s sort of like diamond art. Please register each attendee separately.
When: 6:15-7:45 p.m. June 29
Where: Freeport Public Library meeting room, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Mini Dino Makers
What: Drop in for a morning of dinosaur crafts for ages 2-7. Make dinosaur head bands, paper plate dinosaurs, dinosaur suncatchers and more.
When: 10 a.m. – noon June 30
Where: Freeport Public Library meeting room, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Teen Tuesday: Ultimate Frisbee
What: Meet at the field in Debate Square, build teams and face off. Wear clothes that you can move freely and safely in. Teen Tuesdays are for youth in 7th through 12th grades.
When: 2-3 p.m. June 30
Where: Debate Square, Freeport
Happy Birthday America
What: Celebrate America’s 250th birthday at the library. Drop in and make sand art stars, suncatchers, firework paintings and more.
When: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. July 2
Where: Freeport Public Library meeting room, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Patriotic Putt
What: Celebrate USA with a round of mini golf, food from Krape Concessions and patriotic fun for the whole family. Patriotic Putt is only for the hours of mini golf; normal hours of operation and admission fees apply. Wear your best red, white and blue outfit and receive $1 off admission. Enjoy a hot dog, brat, or burger with chips and a drink for $6. Snap a photo at mini golf in your patriotic attire and submit it to Freeport Park District for a chance to win the Family Fun Pack giveaway.
When: Noon – 7 p.m. July 2
Where: Krape Park, 1799 S. Park Blvd., Freeport
Kathi Edwards is a freelance contributor to the Freeport Journal-Standard.
This article originally appeared on Journal Standard: Day in Cedarville among 16 weekend events around Freeport
Reporting by Kathi Edwards, Special to the Journal-Standard / Journal Standard
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By Kathi Edwards, Special to the Journal-Standard | USA TODAY Network
