The weekend brings the Tutty Baker Fest, Get the Led Out and the I Love the 90s Tour, along with fundraisers, live music and more to the Freeport area.
Solar Printing
What: Use special solar print paper to make images of plants, flowers, cut-outs, etc. on a blue background. Make a print to use as a bookmark, as a card, or as art. Each person must register separately for this maker program for elementary, young adult and adult. Children must have an adult with them, teens do not.
When: 11 a.m. – noon July 10
Where: Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Music on the Patio
What: The Shifty Boys will perform. There will also be food and drink specials.
When: 5-8 p.m. July 10
Where: The Freeport Club, 1614 S. Park Blvd., Freeport
Tutty Baker Fest
What: Enjoy a weekend of family-friendly fun at this annual event, with a carnival, free live music, games, crafters, vendors, drone and car shows, fireworks, more than 20 food trucks, a petting zoo, a hot air balloon experience, Blackhawk Helicopters and more. Whitehorse – A Chris Stapleton Tribute performs at 7:30 p.m. July 10. The band Infinity plays from 7-9 p.m. July 11.
When: 5 p.m. July 10- 5 p.m. July 12
Where: downtown Freeport
Maker and Vendor Market
What: Explore a curated selection of handmade goods, small businesses and unique finds while enjoying the festival atmosphere.
When: 5-9 p.m. July 10 and 10 a.m. -8 p.m. July 11
Where: East Stephenson Street between South Chicago Avenue and North State Avenue, and North State Avenue between East Stephenson and East Main Streets, Freeport
Cost: Free admission
Get the Led Out
What: Get The Led Out (GTLO) has captured the essence of the recorded music of Led Zeppelin and brought it to the concert stage. The Philadelphia-based group consists of six veteran musicians intent on delivering Led Zeppelin live. Using multi-instrumentalists, GTLO re-creates the songs in all their glory with the studio overdubs that Zeppelin themselves never performed.
When: 8 p.m. July 10
Where: Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $44-$65
I Love the 90s Tour
What: From Milli Vanilli’s pop hooks to C+C Music Factory’s dance-floor anthems, plus DJ Jazzy Jeff’s signature spin and Young MC’s party-ready rhymes, the night is built for singalongs and nonstop throwbacks at the I Love The 90’s Tour. Rapper Young MC (Marvin Young) rose to fame in the late 1980s. After early success collaborating with Tone Lōc on the iconic hits “Wild Thing” and “Funky Cold Medina,” Young MC stepped into the spotlight with his own smash, “Bust a Move.” Best known as the voice behind “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now),” Freedom Williams helped define early ’90s dance music as the front man and co‑founder of C+C Music Factory.
When: 8 p.m. July 10 (doors open at 7 p.m.)
Where: Hard Rock Casino Rockford, 7801 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: $60-$106
Drone Show
What: In honor of America250 and @Illinois America 250, Tutty Baker Festival is featuring a drone show lighting up the Freeport sky just after dusk.
When: 9:15 p.m. July 10
Where: 10 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Men’s and Senior Men’s Golf Tournament
What: This tournament is open to all amateur golfers who either live or work in Stephenson County or are members at Park Hills, The Freeport Club or Wolf Hollow. The tournament is 36 holes, stroke play, for all men and seniors. Golfers can sign up as a foursome for a Saturday tee time or sign up as an individual and the committee will pair you up with someone in your division. After the first round, you will be flighted for the final round by your first round 18-hole score. In case of a tie for first place in any flight, a sudden death playoff will take place starting on the first hole of the course just completed.
When: 7:30 a.m. July 11 – 8 p.m. July 12
Where: Park Hills Golf Course, 3240 W. Stephenson St., Freeport
Peach Truckload Sale
What: Shop the Indian River Direct truck for super sweet Freestone peaches, Ellis Brother’s Georgia Elliott pecans and Michigan blueberries. Walk-up customers are welcome. Bring cash, check or credit card for payment.
When: 10-11:30 a.m. July 11
Where: Stephenson County Fairgrounds, 2250 S. Walnut Road, Freeport
Wagon Ride Tour
What: Enjoy a wagon tour of downtown.
When: 3-6 p.m. July 11 and 1-3 p.m. July 12 on the hour
Where: 11 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Cost: Free
Car & Bike Show
What: Join Freeport Hot Rods in celebrating America’s 250th Birthday with a unique automotive event. Whether you drive a classic, custom, muscle car, hot rod, truck or motorcycle, this event is all about honoring the machines, craftsmanship, freedom and traditions that helped shape America. America 250 signature awards include Founders, Liberty, American Legacy and Freedom Rider awards, with a special award and $50 cash prize for the America 250 Best Patriotic Vehicle awarded to the vehicle that best incorporates the America 250 theme through display, presentation, creativity and patriotic spirit.
When: 4 p.m. July 11 (lots open at 3 p.m.), with judging, then awards starting at 6 p.m.
Where: 114 E. Stephenson St., Freeport
Fireworks Show
What: This fireworks display will light up downtown Freeport after dusk during the Tutty Baker Festival.
When: 9:15 p.m. July 11
Where: 11 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Tutty Baker Fest 5K
What: Enjoy a family-friendly 5K with a shotgun start at the Tutty’s Crossing Trailhead. Proceeds go to Friends Forever Humane Society. There will be awards for the top overall female and male and first through third in each age group.
When: 8 a.m. July 12 (registration starts at 7 a.m.)
Where: Pecatonica Prairie Trail, 250 E. Stephenson St., Freeport
Cost: $30; $15 for children age 14 and younger
Patriotic Parade Sunday
What: The parade assembly starts on Liberty and Spring Streets. The parade route will move north on Adams Avenue to the intersection of Stephenson Street, where the procession will turn west on Stephenson Street, then south on Van Buren and east on Main Street.
When: 1 p.m. July 12
Where: Freeport
Music Under the Stars
What: Come hear the Freeport Concert Band in the summer music series. 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. July 12
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 we will be making Flower Pot Mosaics.
When: 2-4 p.m. July 13
Where: Freeport Public Library meeting room, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Ladies Fore a Cause
What: Ladies “Fore” a Cause is teaming up with Voices of Stephenson County. The registration fee includes 18 holes of golf and a cart. Enjoy breakfast and a mimosa/bloody bar at registration. There will be games on the course and a light lunch at 1:30 p.m. after play. The format is a four-person scramble. Everyone plays from the best shot. At least $30 from every entry goes directly to Voices of Stephenson County. Participants can also donate item(s) from the organization’s needs list and receive entries to win prizes at the after-party.
When: 8 a.m. July 14
Where: The Freeport Club, 1614 S. Park Blvd., Freeport
Cost: $100 per golfer
Juggler Jason Kollum
What: The show will wow all ages of kids and families, as balls, clubs, rings, spinning balls, clubs, rings, giant beanbag chairs and more will be sent flying through the air.
When: 2-3 p.m. July 15
Where: Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Music on Debate
What: Enjoy a performance by Ukelele Express 815.
When: 6:30 p.m. July 16
Where: Debate Square, 114 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Kathi Edwards is a freelance contributor to the Freeport Journal-Standard.
This article originally appeared on Journal Standard: Tutty Baker Fest, Maker Market among 15 things to do in Freeport area
Reporting by Kathi Edwards, Special to the Freeport Journal Standard / Journal Standard
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By Kathi Edwards, Special to the Freeport Journal Standard | USA TODAY Network
