The weekend brings Pretzel City Brewfest and World War II Days, along with fundraisers, live music and more to the Freeport area.
Tuck Everlasting: The Musical
What: What would you do if you had all eternity? Eleven-year-old Winnie Foster yearns for a life of adventure beyond her white picket fence, but not until she becomes unexpectedly entwined with the Tuck Family does she get more than she could have imagined. Tuck Everlasting is a musical based upon the novel Tuck Everlasting written by Natalie Babbitt. Dessert is served at intermission.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, Saturday, Sept. 27 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28
Where: Mighty Richland Dessert Theatre, 203 W. High St., Orangeville
Cost: $25
Here Come the Mummies: Mummfest Tour
What: Here Come the Mummies is an eight-piece funk-rock band of 5000 year-old Egyptian Mummies with a one-track mind. Since their discovery, HCTM has been direct support for P-Funk, Al Green, Mavis Staples, KC and the Sunshine Band and Cheap Trick; rocked Super Bowl Village; become a regular on The Bob and Tom Show; appeared on That’s My Jam with Jimmy Fallon; played festivals and sold tickets by the thousands across North America. Lachy Doley is a world-renowned keyboardist and singer who has earned a reputation as one of the most dynamic and soulful musicians of his generation. Born and raised in Australia, Doley has been playing music since he was a child and has developed a unique style that blends blues, soul and funk into a high-energy, powerhouse performance. He is best known for skills on the Whammy Clavinet and the Hammond Organ.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26 (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
Where: Hard Rock Casino Rockford, 7801 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: $38.75
Toad the Wet Sprocket
What: Enjoy an epic night of 90s and 2000s rock hits as Toad the Wet Sprocket, Vertical Horizon and KT Tunstall take the stage. Whether you’re reliving your favorites or hearing them live for the first time, it’s going to be a night full of energy, nostalgia and incredible music.
When: 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $62-$190
World War II Days
What: Visitors to World War II Days engage in elaborate 1940s displays in historical buildings on the museum’s 148-acre campus. Midway Village transforms into the backdrop of a European village during World War II. Festivities include encampments of Allied and Axis troops in the woods. See elaborate and realistic battles complete with tanks, artillery, armored vehicles and pyrotechnic displays. There will be uniformed re-enactors representing soldiers from the United States, Great Britain, France, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Japan, Italy and Germany along with vintage tanks, half-tracks and other 1940s military vehicles.
When: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 and 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28
Where: Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford
Cost: $20; $15 for ages 5-12; free for veterans and children age 4 and younger; member discounts available
60th Anniversary Celebration
What: Help celebrate the church’s 60th anniversary with free food, games, prizes and bouncy houses. There may be a fire truck, ambulance and police K-9 as well if available.
When: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27
Where: Laurel Street Community Church, 1833 W. Laurel St., Freeport
Steak Fry and Casino Night
What: The annual steak fry and casino night fundraiser features a steak or pork chop dinner from 5-8 p.m., silent and live auctions, a firefighter gun and cash raffles, casino style games and more. There is a cash bar from 5 p.m. – midnight. Each meal includes one steak or two pork chops, baked potato, vegetable, salad and roll; tickets must be bought in advance for $20 each (two for $35). Raffle tickets are $10 or three for $20. The prize drawing is at 10 p.m. Carryouts are available. All funds raised will go toward training, upkeep and replacement of equipment for the Lena Fire Protection District.
When: 5 p.m. – midnight Saturday, Sept. 27
Where: Lena Fire Station, 405 W. Railroad St., Lena
Pretzel City Brewfest
What: Pretzel City Brewfest is for guests age 21 and older and will be held rain or shine. General admission tickets include event entry, 20 tasting tickets and a souvenir glass.
When: 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27
Where: 1 W. Spring St., Freeport
Cost: $10 designated driver; $40 general admission; $75 VIP
Ron White
What: Renowned comedian Ron White, affectionately known as “Tater Salad,” catapulted into the limelight as the cigar-wielding, scotch-savoring humorist who stole the spotlight within the Blue Collar Comedy Tour phenomenon. He has risen to chart-topping Grammy-nominated comic and a captivating feature film actor. At his core, Ron White remains an exemplar of timeless storytelling. His narratives weave the fabric of his existence, spanning from his upbringing in a Texan hamlet to the reflections of his every day encounters, ultimately culminating in his ascension as one of America’s most celebrated comedians.
When: Saturday, Sept. 27 – doors open at 5 and 9 p.m.
Where: Hard Rock Casino, 7801 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: $66-$121
Back Country Roads
What: Back Country Roads brings high-energy country favorites and hometown pride to wrap up this concert series.
When: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27
Where: Coach’s Summer Concert Series, 621 W. Lena St., Lena
Pork Chop Drive-Thru
What: Church members will be serving a Pork Chop Drive-Thru meal. Enter and exit the church parking lot. The meal includes a boneless grilled pork chop, cheesy hashbrowns, green beans, roll and choice of peach pie bar or pumpkin bar with cream cheese frosting.
When: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28
Where: Freeport Church of the Brethren, 777 W. Pleasant St., Freeport
Cost: $10
Celebrating 50 Years of Service
What: The Dakota firemen are hosting an open house to celebrate 50 years of service of Bill Small and Jim Bordner. The public is welcome to attend. Refreshments will be provided.
When: 2-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28
Where: Dakota Fire Protection District, 118 E. Main St., Dakota
Coming next week
Teen Tuesday: Birding with Juliet Moderow
What: Juliet Moderow, education chair of the Northwest Illinois Bird and Nature Alliance, will lead a walk through Oakdale Nature Preserve, highlighting the sights and sounds of different bird species as well as other natural features of the park. This is an off-site program. Please meet at Oakdale, near the covered picnic tables, no later than 4:10pm. We will walk to the trailhead as a group and return to the same meeting spot when our walk is complete. Teen Tuesday events are for youth 7th through 12th grade.
When: 4-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30
Where: Oakdale Nature Preserve, 4433 S. Cranes Grove Road, Freeport
Flannel Jam
What: Flannel Jam Country + Rock Confidential features national touring country and rock bands. You won’t know the bands until they hit the stage.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2 (doors open at 6 p.m.)
Where: Hard Rock Casino, 7801 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: $61 – $130
Kathi Edwards is a freelance contributor to the Freeport Journal-Standard.
This article originally appeared on Journal Standard: Steak fry casino night, pork chop drive-thru among 10 things to do in the Freeport area
Reporting by Kathi Edwards / Journal Standard
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