The weekend brings a Georgia Peach stop, Music Under the Stars, along with fundraisers, holiday events, live music and more to the Freeport area.
Bulldog Bolt Run
What: This is the fourth annual Bulldog Bolt 5K and one-mile fun run. Lace up those running shoes and grab your four-legged sidekick. Whether you’re gunning for a personal record or just enjoying a patriotic jog, this is your race to celebrate Independence Day in style. Enjoy the scenic, dog-friendly course. There will be hydration stations to keep you and your pup cool and hydrated and a vendor area with local favorites plus surprises. All proceeds benefit Durand’s 4th of July Festival.
When: 8 a.m. Friday, July 4
Where: Saelens Park, 200 S. Center St., Durand
Cost: $30
Georgia Peach Stop
What: Tree-Ripe grows and hand picks peaches at Pearson Farm. They prefer credit or debit cards but accept cash or checks. No pre-orders. They will offer Georgia peaches, Georgia pecans, New Mexico pistachios and Michigan blueberries.
When: 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 5
Where: Blain’s Farm & Fleet, 1755 S. West Ave., Freeport
Cars and Coffee
What: This dog-, bike- and family-friendly event will feature coffee and donuts from Katie’s Cup, best of show awards for first and second place, sponsor booths, Twisted Lanes’ RC track, a Hot Wheels track, Marines, a blood donation sign-up for the September show and more. The County Sheriff will be cooking. The car club of the month is the Northern Illinois Corvette Club. The Furthest Traveled award is open to everyone. Sisson’s Tree Service will be displaying the flag over Seventh Street.
When: 9 a.m. – noon Saturday, July 5
Where: The parking lot at Rockford Public Schools 205 District, across from Katie’s Cup, 502 Seventh St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission
Living History Weekend
What: Visit Midway Village for its Civil War based Living History weekend. Get “recruited to join the army” and march and drill with other “soldiers.” Learn how to dance, wear clothes and treat injuries as they did back then. Costumed tour guides will be on hand to tell you all about lady spies, underground railroad, old-time school lessons and more.
When: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, July 5 and Sunday, July 6
Where: Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford
Cost: $14; $12 for seniors age 62 and older or children age 5-12
Cousins Maine Lobster
What: Download the Cousins Maine Lobster mobile app, set your location to Chicago and order some lobster. Collect points with each order. The truck will be cashless; bring major debit or credit cards.
When: Noon – 6 p.m. Sunday, July 6
Where: Generations Brewing, 1400 S. Adams Ave., Freeport
Sunday Funday
What: Hear original artists on the patio stage. The performer on July 6 is the Ryan Craig Band. The band was nominated for best country band and emerging band in Chicago for 2024.
When: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, July 6
Where: Lena Brewing Co., 9416 Wagner Road, Lena
Music under the Stars
What: Enjoy patriotic music from the Freeport Concert Band in their weekly concert. There’s plenty of bench seating or bring lawn chairs.
When: 7-8:15 p.m. Sunday, July 6
Where: Krape Park, Freeport
Cost: Free
Frida Fest Kick-Off
What: Celebrate Frida Kahlo’s birthday with kids painting and craft activities, Frida Kahlo merchandise vendors, live music, Mexican food, a Frida Kahlo look-a-like contest and birthday cake.
When: Noon – 5 p.m. Sunday, July 6
Where: Ethnic Heritage Museum, 1129 S. Main St., Rockford
Coming next week
Make it Monday
What: Each week we will make a different project that you can take home. This week we will be making cardboard birds. Registration is required.
When: 2-3 p.m. Monday, July 7
Where: Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Teen Tuesday Oreo Extravaganza
What: There are more than 85 different types of Oreo cookies. Come tackle the classics and rank them, but with a twist – you won’t know what cookies you are tasting until the very end. Teen Tuesdays are for youth going into grades 7th through 12th. We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy or other allergens.
When: 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, July 8
Where: Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Roger Clyne & PH Naffah
What: Roger Clyne and PH Naffah are the founding members of The Refreshments and The Peacemakers. In The Refreshments, Clyne and Naffah put the fun in rock during the 90s grunge era with a sense of humor. The Refreshments’ debut album, “Fizzy, Fuzzy, Big & Buzzy,” became a cult classic. Changes within their record label and internal band issues resulted in Clyne and Naffah going on a vision quest of sorts in the Whetstone Mountains near the Clyne Ranch in southeastern Arizona. Clyne and Naffah wrote and recorded under a new moniker what would become Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers’ debut album, “Honky Tonk Union” and eight more albums.
When: Tuesday, July 8 and Wednesday, July 9
Where: The Music Box, 218 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: $25
July Cruise In
What: Enjoy an evening of cars, coffee, vendors, food and music from DJ Ron Henning. Connect with fellow car lovers. The theme will be “Chevy.”
When: 5:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 9
Where: Auto Smart, 4596 U.S. Hwy. 20 E, Freeport
Resin Rocks
What: Make a boring rock pretty. Rocks, resin and dried flowers will be provided. You can bring something with you if you’d like to decorate your rock differently, such as a copy of a photo, a drawing or your favorite team’s logo. Registration is required. Please register each participant separately. This craft event is for adults and teens.
When: 6:15-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 9
Where: meeting room, Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Cost: Free
Ukulele 815
What: Bring your lawn chairs to the Lincoln-Douglas Debate Square for an evening of music.
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 10
Where: Debate Square, 114 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Cost: Free admission
Kathi Edwards is a freelance contributor to the Freeport Journal-Standard.
This article originally appeared on Journal Standard: Patriotic music, Sunday Funday among 8 things to do this weekend in the Freeport area.
Reporting by Kathi Edwards / Journal Standard
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