The weekend brings the start of the Music on Chicago season, Healthy Kids Day and the annual Route 75 Garage Sales, along with fundraisers, live music and more to the Freeport area.
Art and Music on Chicago
What: Enjoy listening to Fortunate Sons and Just 4 Fun and visit a new pop-up art studio. Stop by, explore and watch live art in the making from three local artists: Tina Cannova, Carla Donaldson and Linda Vietmeyer. The artists work both a la carte and on commission. There will be paintings, notecards and other items for sale.
When: 5-10 p.m. Friday, June 6
Where: Freeport Arts Plaza, 15 Douglas St., Freeport
Healthy Kids Day
What: The Family YMCA of Northwest Illinois and FHN are hosting the Healthy Kids Day and Family Fun Night, weather permitting. This is an outdoors event. Family-friendly activities are presented by local not-for-profits in Freeport and Stephenson County.
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, June 6
Where: Family YMCA of Northwest Illinois, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport
Frozen Camp
What: This camp features obstacles, games, activities, crafts and more. It is for athletes of all ability levels. All attending athletes should plan to bring a lunch and a water bottle. During camp, there will be morning tumbling instructional time, Frozen-themed craft time, lunch break, afternoon tumbling instructional time and Frozen-themed games/activities.
When: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Friday, June 6
Where: Pierce Athletics, 916 S. Arcade Ave., Freeport
Wild Nights Male Dancers
What: Ladies, bring your friends for a show featuring male dancers.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, June 6
Where: Hot Rod Nellie’s, 122 S. Jackson St., Pecatonica
Cost: $21; $18 in advance; add-ons such as photos or t-shirts available
Praise in the Park
What: Come worship with Crossroads Community Church’s worship team. Bring friends and family and a lawn chair or two.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, June 6
Where: Krape Park Band Shelter, 1799 Park Blvd., Freeport
Third Annual BFF Day
What: Bring your friends and support small businesses. Jill with Sweet Stitches Market will have new vets and changeable hoods; Chelsea will bring permanent jewelry; Dana will have Simply Soaps & More; Maya with Ophelia Candles will have pet friendly candles and Sarah with Effervescent Esthetics LLC will be on site to do 15-minute consults, question and answer, skincare and even Botox. Please reach out to her to set up consults and Botox.
When: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7
Where: Café 217 Espresso & Bakery Shoppe, 405 S. Schuyler St., Lena
Paint with Barry
What: Includes all supplies. Novice painters are welcome. Paint a canvas full of flowers with step-by-step guidance.
When: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7
Where: Higher Grounds Coffee, 1709 S. West Ave., Freeport
Cost: $35
Route 75 Garage Sales
What: The annual Route 75 garage sales run from Freeport to South Beloit along IL-75. Check the website for sale dates; some sales start Thursday, some Friday and some Saturday. Over 40 miles, there are more than 80 sales to visit.
When: Noon Thursday, June 5 – 4 p.m. Saturday, June 7
Where: illinoisroute75sales.wordpress.com
Memorial Peace March
What: This is the kick-off for the 40 Days of Peace and Community Building, hosted by High Hope Freeport.
When: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, June 7
Where: Madonna House, 1209B S. Walnut Ave., Freeport
Cost: Free
Sherlock Holmes: The Baker Street Irregulars
What: These two performances are presented by the youth program, Curtain Call Academy Players of Winneshiek Playhouse. The play is adapted by Eric Coble from the graphic novels by Tony Lee and Dan Boultwood.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7
Where: Winneshiek Playhouse, 228 W. Clark St., Freeport
Cost: $12; $8 for students
Roll for a Cause
What: Magicians MMA Academy is teaming up with Tyler’s Justice Center for Children for an open mat to raise awareness and support for the work they do. Their team will be on-site to meet the community and share their mission. There will also be a raffle. All proceeds go directly to the Center.
When: Noon Saturday, June 7
Where: Magicians MMA Academy, 18 S. Chicago Ave., Freeport
Pork Chop Drive-Through
What: Enter and exit the church driveway and get a boneless grilled pork chop, cheesy hashbrowns, green beans, roll and choice of apple pie bar or brownie with a plastic cutlery set without leaving the car.
When: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sunday, June 8
Where: Freeport Church of the Brethren, 777 W. Pleasant St., Freeport
Cost: $10
Gutfeld Live
What: Join Greg Gutfeld, comedian Tom Shillue plus a surprise guest for an evening filled with laughter, insight and surprises. GUTFELD LIVE ‘25 is one massive beautiful mess like no other. Greg eviscerates hypocrisy and tackles the issues of today with Tom Shillue, all without worrying about pesky government censors.
When: 3 p.m. Sunday, June 8
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
Cost: $72-$135
South Main Mercado
What: The South Main Mercado is a vibrant outdoor market in Rockford, celebrating the city’s Hispanic and Latino heritage, while fostering community connections. This event features live entertainment from local artists, a diverse array of local vendors offering jewelry, clothing, art and more, alongside food trucks and community organizations providing bilingual support services. The event is family-friendly, offering an opportunity to engage with local small businesses and experience the cultural richness of south Rockford.
When: Noon – 7 p.m. Sunday, June 8
Where: 917 S. Main St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission
Coming next week
Yarn Fringe Art Adult and Teen Drop-in Craft
What: Adults and teens can drop-in to make art original from yarn and a canvas with other decorating supplies available. This craft is not intended for children; hot glue will be used. No registration is required for this event.
When: 3-7 p.m. Monday, June 9
Where: Learning Lab, Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Monday Murders Book Club
What: Read about best friends, old flames, secret enemies and new lovers who re-unite under one roof in “There Should have been Eight” by Nalini Singh. As the walls close in, the pretense of normalcy gives way to grief, bitterness, rage and the nagging feeling that one friend’s shocking death wasn’t what it was claimed to be. Everyone is welcome for this book group. No registration required. Pick up a copy of the book on the second floor.
When: 1-2 p.m. Monday, June 9
Where: boardroom, Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Cost: Free
Summer Reading Kick-Off Party
What: Sign up for Summer Reading at the Summer Reading Kick-Off Party. Children who sign up at the party receive a free book. The party includes crafts, tattoos, touch-a-truck and games. In case of rain, the party will move inside the library.
When: 1-3 p.m. Monday, June 9
Where: Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Cost: Free
WEN: Walking, Talking, Thriving
What: Woman, take some time in your day for yourselves. Take a break and use the hour to walk, talk and thrive. Bring your walking shoes for a stroll along the paved path and socializing time. If weather is unfavorable, meet at the Partnership Office for a crafting mind-break.
When: Noon – 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 11
Where: Oakdale Nature Preserve, 4433 S. Cranes Grove Road, Freeport
Board Game Night
What: Board Game Night happens weekly here. Stop in and join the group or bring your own board games and get something going.
When: 5:30 – 10 p.m. Wednesday, June 11
Where: Mini Freaks Gaming and Collectibles, 18 S. Galena Ave., Freeport
Grease
What: Welcome to Rydell High, class of 1959! The stage sizzles with the swagger of the “T-Birds” and the sass of the “Pink Ladies” in Grease, the ultimate rock ‘n’ roll musical. Channeling the iconic sounds of Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Elvis Presley, Grease is a celebration of the 1950s that has captured hearts on Broadway and beyond. The show will also run July 16-July 20.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 11 – Friday, June 13 and 2 or 8 p.m. Saturday, June 14
Where: Starlight Theatre at Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford
Cost: $28; $26 for seniors/teachers/military; $17 for students; $12 for children age 12 and younger
Old Settlers Days
What: This four-day music festival takes over downtown Rockton, with a lineup of live music, food and family fun. From country to rock and everything in between, the OSD main stage will be filled with performances to keep you dancing. This year’s main stage performers include Dylan Scott, Chris Cagle, Priscilla Block, and Kameron Marlowe. Bring the whole family for carnival rides, fair food, a community blood drive and free hearing tests. This is the main fundraiser for the Rockton Lions Club.
When: Thursday, June 12 – Sunday, June 15
Where: 100 E. Hawick St., Rockton
Cost: $10 daily admission at the gate; Four-day concert wristband package is $121.95; concert tickets are $30-$45 each
Annual Home School Sale
What: Shop from more than 70 sellers and 30 tables at the Stateline’s largest annual homeschool resources sale. Get great prices on like new/clean conditioned textbooks, consumables, teacher and supplemental resources, readers for all levels, puzzles/games, lab kits, hands-on manipulatives and more. Find Pre-K to 12th grade learning fun from top resource companies in the market. The sale is held in a gym and tables are organized by subject. Feel free to bring shopping bags/rolling totes/wagons for your purchases. A holding area will also be available. Cash or check only. Infants in front/back carriers/strollers are welcome. No other children younger than 12 are allowed on the sale floor or in the building. This sale is a fundraiser for the Northern Illinois Christian Home Educators Parent group.
When: 4-7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 12
Where: Park Hills Church, 2525 W. Stephenson St., Freeport
Kathi Edwards is a freelance contributor to the Freeport Journal-Standard.
This article originally appeared on Journal Standard: BFF Day, Healthy Kids Day and more among 14 things to do this weekend near Freeport
Reporting by Kathi Edwards / Journal Standard
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
