The weekend brings Elvis Spectacular, a hat burning event and Don McLean, along with fundraisers, live music and more to the Freeport area.
Winter RV Show
What: The annual Winter RV Show includes a showroom full of the latest RVs with show prices. Free lunch will be served from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Enter to win prize giveaways.
When: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Jan. 16 and Jan. 17; 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Jan. 18
Where: Collier RV, 7373 Harrison Ave., Rockford
Cost: Free admission and parking
Elvis Spectacular
What: Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular is a concert celebrating the music of Elvis Presley era by era. The concert begins with the early rock-a-billy years, the military years and the movie years and closes with the Las Vegas concert years. Special guests are award-winning gospel group, The Stamps Quartet featuring Ed Enoch. Guests must be at least 21 to attend.
When: 7 p.m. Jan. 16
Where: Hard Rock Casino Rockford, 7801 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: $60-$129
Mom Swap No. 4
What: The fourth annual mom swap is hosted by Freeport local moms and AOK. Bring what you no longer need and take what you do. There will be clothing, shoes, toys, blankets, bottles and more.
When: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Jan. 17
Where: Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Cost: Free
Cousins Maine Lobster
Download the Cousins Maine Lobster mobile app and set your location to Chicago. Collect points with each order. Major debit and credit cards are accepted; the truck will be cashless.
When: Noon – 7 p.m. Jan. 17
Where: Generations Brewing Co., 1400 S. Adams Ave., Freeport
Trash 80s
What: The 80s cover band from Rockford, Trash 80s will perform.
When: 8 p.m. Jan. 17
Where: Best Dam Bar, 13965 Best Road, Davis
Hat Burning or Painting
What: Try this craft and burn designs on cowboy hats or ball caps. All the tools you need to try this craft are provided. Bring your own beverage. Snacks and soft beverages will be served.
When: 1 p.m. Jan. 18
Where: Paint with Lorraine, 11525 Best Road, Davis
Cost: $40
Don McLean
What: Don McLean is one of American history’s most revered and respected songwriters. After paying his dues in the New York club scene in the late 1960s, he went on to score mega-hits like “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night),” “Castles in the Air” and many more. His smash hit, “American Pie” is in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry and was named a Top 5 Song of the 20th Century by the Recording Industry of America.
When: 6 p.m. Jan. 18
Where: Hard Rock Casino Rockford, 7801 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: $42-$66
Rockford Ice Hogs game
What: Celebrate Hammy’s Birthday Bash with the Rockford IceHogs as they take on the Chicago Wolves. Enjoy Pizza Hut Family Packs and celebrate local pride during Screw City Night. After the game, fans are invited to lace up their skates and hit the ice for a postgame skate with the IceHogs.
When: 4 p.m. Jan. 18
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
Cost: Tickets start at $22
Coming next week
Annual Martin Luther King Jr. program
What: The Boys & Girls Club of Freeport & Stephenson County host the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. program. Praise and worship begins at 5:30 p.m. The program begins at 6 p.m.
When: 5:30 p.m. Jan. 19
Where: Boys & Girls Club of Freeport and Stephenson County, 511 S. Liberty Ave., Freeport
Teen Tuesday: Indoor Snowball Fight
What: Want a snowball fight but without a chill? Come to an indoor snowball fight. Team up and see who can freeze out the competition.
When: 4-5 p.m. Jan. 20
Where: Freeport Public Library meeting room, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Cost: Free
The Costs of Living with Climate Change
What: The speakers will provide data-driven information about the effects of climate change in Northwest Illinois and what federal, state, and community leaders and organizations are doing to address or prepare for climate change in our country, state, and region. They will also provide attendees with information on what they can do to mitigate the effects of climate change in their own lives. [sponsoring organizations: Environmental Study Group, Northwest Illinois Trails Foundation.]
When: 6:30-7:45 p.m. Jan. 20
Where: Freeport Public Library meeting room, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
It’s a Weird World … Gone!
What: This month we will discuss people who have disappeared, never to be seen again. There are the famous ones, like Amelia Earhart, and the lesser knowns. If you wanted to disappear, what would you do? No registration is necessary.
When: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 21
Where: Freeport Public Library boardroom, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Cost: Free
Dark Sky Bonfires and S’mores
What: The public is invited to join Natural Land Institute at an open house to showcase the new 80-acre addition to the north side of their Pecatonica Ridge Preserve, acquired at the end of 2024. This new section of wetland and wet grassland adds to the upland prairie of the original 80 acres and now consists of 160 protected acres. Guests who attend Dark Sky Bonfire and S’mores will enjoy an evening on the prairie with a bonfire (weather permitting), hot cocoa and make-your-own S’mores (gluten free available), while viewing the open dark sky with stars shining bright (if it’s not too cloudy) and listening for creatures of the night such as coyotes and Great Horned and Short-eared Owls. Attendees will be invited to take a walk along the trail through the new unit and the original 80 acres of Pecatonica Ridge Prairie. Event visitors are encouraged to bring their own flashlight or headlamp and snowshoes or skis if there is snow on the ground and should dress for the weather in layers and wear hiking or snow boots. If the dark sky allows, individuals are urged to bring their own telescope and set it up to view the stars and the waxing crescent moon. Registration is requested by Jan. 20.
When: 4-7 p.m. Jan. 21
Where: Pecatonica Ridge Preserve, 14992 Doty Road, Pecatonica
Cost: Free, but registration is requested
Kathi Edwards is a freelance contributor to the Freeport Journal-Standard.
This article originally appeared on Journal Standard: Don McLean concert is among 8 events this weekend around Freeport
Reporting by Kathi Edwards, Special to the Freeport Journal-Standard / Journal Standard
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