The weekend brings the 45th Annual Green County Breakfast on the Farm and Forest City Coffee Convention, along with fundraisers, live music and more to the Freeport area.
Veterans and Family Art Exhibition
What: This event will feature visual art, photography, sculpture and mixed media works created by local veterans, all centered around the theme of mental health and the journey of healing. Through their work, veteran artists will share personal experiences, struggles and triumphs, creating a space for conversation, connection and understanding. Guests will have the opportunity to buy some of the veterans’ artwork and to meet the artists, while reading about their stories in letters addressed to attendees. Mental health resources and representatives from local support organizations will also be available on-site.
When: 5-9 p.m. Friday, May 30
Where: Veterans Memorial Hall, 211 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: Free; donations are welcome
Grand Opening: Twice as Nice Consignments
What: See the new 40,000-square-foot space. The official ribbon cutting is at noon. There will be live music by Clyde & Steve Cole from 5-6 p.m. Friday. Enjoy snacks, surprises and up to 50% off Friday and Saturday.
When: 10 a.m. Friday, May 30
Where: Twice as Nice Consignments at Lincoln Mall, 1211 W. Galena Ave., Freeport
Rock Rebel Junction
What: Rock Rebel Junction plays a wide variety of music, including classic rock.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, May 30
Where: Hooks & Bobbers, 612 Bridge St., Winslow
Cost: No cover
Live Jazz with the Jazz Alliance
What: The Jazz Alliance is bringing their signature sound. Come early, grab dinner and drinks, and settle in for a night of smooth, live jazz.
When: 7-10 p.m. Friday, May 30
Where: The Great Debate, 1 E. Spring St., Freeport
Alice in Wonderland
What: Studio 121 Dance presents: “Alice in Wonderland.”
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31; 2 p.m. Sunday, June 1
Where: Winneshiek Playhouse, 228 W. Clark St., Freeport
Cost: $15
Forest City Coffee Convention
What: Join coffee enthusiasts, industry professionals and artisans for the area’s first premier event for all things coffee. Learn through interactive workshops and panels covering everything from brewing techniques to the future of coffee sustainability. Watch top-tier baristas compete in the Barista Championships, Latte Art Throwdowns and the Brewing Excellence Challenge. Experience curated tasting samples with local roasters and explore the nuances of different coffee beans from around the world. Be the first to see and try new coffee products and innovations from leading brands. There will be hands-on sessions for you to try out the latest coffee gear and perfect your brewing skills.
When: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, May 31
Where: The Standard, 214 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: $45-$75
Ensign Jade Acres Spring Barn Market
What: This indoor and outdoor event will feature a variety of vendors.
When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 31
Where: Ensign Jade Acres, 7111 W. Dublin Road, Freeport
Cost: Free admission and parking
45th Annual Green County Breakfast on the Farm
What: This annual event is hosted by Josh and Liz Steiner. There is limited on-site parking available. Weather permitting. Buses will leave for the farm between 5:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. from Walmart Supercenter. The menu features scrambled eggs, sausage, cheese, homemade coffee cake, milk, coffee and orange juice, along with strawberry ice cream sundaes. Entertainment and activities include the Stateline Playboys band from 7-10 a.m., antique tractor display and petting zoo, as well as agricultural education stations and various craft vendors.
When: 6-10 a.m. Saturday, May 31
Where: Heaven View Dairy, N303 County Road HK, Monroe, Wis.
Cost: $10; $5 for ages 5-10; free for children age 4 and younger
Hometown Jams: Jo Dee Messina
What: Jo Dee Messina is a trailblazing country music artist, known for powerful vocals and chart-topping hits. With the breakout song “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” she became a household name and went on to achieve nine No. 1 hits and 16 Top 40 songs. Jo Dee’s success made her the first female in country music history to celebrate three consecutive multi-week, chart-topping songs. Alyssa Flaherty will be opening for Jo Dee.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 31
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $58-$131
Intro to Herbs
What: Explore the properties of herbs as you learn how to create herbal blends and ways to incorporate them into your daily routines, rituals and spells. From protection and love to abundance and healing, to relaxation, migraines and nausea, herbs have a remedy for it all. Make your own herbal sachets, oils, teas, tinctures, salves and more. Get growing and harvesting tips. Every participant will leave with an exclusive herb starter kit, complete with a variety of hand-picked herbs, a spell jar or herbal sachet, and an informational packet.
When: 10-11 a.m. Saturday, May 31
Where: Rootz and Branchez, 101 W. Main St., Freeport
Cost: $33
Parents Night Out
What: Enjoy a night out while your kids are having fun in a safe environment. Drop your kids off between 6 and 7 p.m. and pick them up between 9 and 10 p.m. Cost includes dinner, staff and fun.
When: 6-10 p.m. Saturday, May 31
Where: Pierce Athletics, 916 S. Arcade Ave., Freeport
Cost: $40; $25 for members
Grass Attack
What: Enjoy an evening of live, upbeat music from Grass Attack, rain or shine. Food and drinks are available for purchase. This is a cash-only event. No pets or carry-ins are allowed.
When: 4-7 p.m. Saturday, May 31
Where: Rock City Market & Music, 7555 IL route 75, Rock City
Cost: $5 cover charge
Coming next week
Storytime at Debate Square
What: Bring your blankets and chairs for an outdoor storytime. Read stories, sing songs and participate in movement activities. In the event of inclement weather, storytime will be held in the library.
When: 10:30-11 a.m. Wednesday, June 4
Where: Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
ChessPort
What: No experience or registration is necessary. Chess sets are provided. All current, former, rusty and new players are welcome.
When: 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 4
Where: Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Cost: Free
Strawberry Social
What: Meal includes barbecue or ham sandwich, baked beans, chips and strawberry pie, strawberry shortcake or strawberry sundae.
When: 4:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 4
Where: St. Joseph Catholic Church, 410 W. Lena St., Lena
Cost: $13; $8 for children age 10 and younger; $5 for an additional sandwich
One Cup at a Time
What: Join the Stephenson County Farm Bureau and Cafe 217 to kick of June Dairy Month. Stop by to answer dairy trivia, learn more about the dairy industry and win prizes. The first 125 people will get a reusable coffee cup. There will be dairy giveaway bags for the kids.
When: 7-10 a.m. Thursday, June 5
Where: Café 217 Espresso & Bakery Shoppe, 103 Grant St., Lena
Coffee, Flowers, Shopping and Handmade Finds
What: Enjoy an evening on the patio with Rosie’s Coffee, Wave Avenue, Thread of Life and Greenlight Floral. Try Rosie’s featured coffee and lemonades and stock up on summer favorites from Wave Avenue Boutique. Thread of Life will be on site with their handmade (with a great purpose in mind – stop out and hear their story) market tote bags, quilted book sleeves, travel bags and more. Pick up a floral bouquet or make your own with Greenlight Floral.
When: 4-7 p.m. Thursday, June 5
Where: 507 Main St., Pecatonica
This article originally appeared on Journal Standard: Looking for something to do this weekend in the Freeport area? Here are 12 upcoming events
Reporting by Kathi Edwards / Journal Standard
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
