The weekend brings the Tailgate Tee-Off and Picklefest 2025, along with fundraisers, live music and more to the Freeport area.
Hard Rock: Wanda Sykes
What: See comedienne Wanda Sykes’s show “Please & Thank You” with special guest Keith Robinson. She is an Emmy-winning stand-up comic, writer, actress and producer who has been entertaining audiences for more than 20 years. She has ranked among Entertainment Weekly’s “25 Funniest People in America.” Guests must be 21 or older to attend; a valid photo ID is required. This is a fully seated event. Sections 201, 202 and 203 are stadium-style risers that require traveling up a set of stairs. Wheelchair and accessibility areas are within Sections 101 and 103 and are sold through the Box Office. Hard Rock LIVE has a no re-entry policy. This event will be a phone-free experience. Upon arrival at the venue, all phones, smart watches and accessories will be secured in individual Yondr pouches that will be opened at the end of the event.
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5 (doors open at 7 p.m.)
Where: Hard Rock Casino, 7801 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: $66-$120
Lena Lions Fall Festival
What: Grass Attack performs at 7 p.m. Friday. They mostly perform well-known songs with bluegrass instruments … but include traditional bluegrass tunes. Ukulele Express 815 performs at 3 p.m. Saturday. The StingRays perform at 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday. They play rock ‘n’ roll from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Bring lawn chairs. There will be Skinner Amusement carnival rides and games; a 50/50 cash raffle; food and craft vendors; Lions merchandise bingo, ham stand and pork chop on a stick. The Lena Lions will also sell raffle tickets for a 2025 Polaris Zenith Blue UTV SP570 Ranger. Carnival rides for all ages start at 6 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday in the downtown parking lot. Lions merchandise Bingo and the ham stand will be in their usual places on Main Street. No pets will be allowed on the midway except for service dogs. This year’s parade starts at noon Saturday at the Old School Apartments. Killbourn will play from 7-11 p.m. Friday at 101 Billiards. Blue Steel will play at 9 p.m. Friday at Mulligan’s, filming its last music video. Lobbin Robbins plays from 2-4 p.m. and Rout 38 Unplugged will play from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday at Iron Horse Tap. The Fall Festival 5K run starts at 8 a.m. Saturday at 609 N. Schuyler St., Lena. Registration fee for the race is $35.
When: 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5 – 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6
Where: Downtown Lena
Sensory Play Day
What: Join us for a morning of sensory fun and friend making. Children will have the opportunity to play at several different stations. Some stations may be messy, so wear appropriate clothing. For children age 5 and younger.
When: 10-11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5
Where: Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Cost: Free
Coronado: Tom Kiefer/LA Guns
What: Tom Keifer’s story begins as the singer-songwriter, guitarist and front man of hard rock heavyweights Cinderella. Whether delivering heart wrenching ballads, such as “Don’t Know What You Got ’til It’s Gone,” channeling the soul of the bluesmen of the past with his slide guitar and lap steel or blowing sax on rockers like “Shelter Me,” Keifer is a unique singer and accomplished rock and roll musician. This high-energy rock show combining all the classic hits of Cinderella with new favorites from his solo releases will leave you wanting more.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $41-$112
Tamale Fest
What: Vendors from the tri-state area bring all kinds of goods for sale. The stage for the ninth annual festival is filled with live entertainment including live Mexican Wrestling, bands, DJs, Folkloric dance troops and more. There will be a Jalapeno Eating Contest and a Latina Pinup Model contest, plus a Lowrider show featuring cars in a lowrider Hop contest. All proceeds benefit two local nonprofit organizations.
When: 1-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6
Where: U-Haul, 5909 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: $10 admission; free for ages 10 and younger
Bourbon, Brisket and Blues
What: The annual fundraiser, “Bourbon, Brisket & Blues: Preserving the Wright House,” is to raise needed funds for the continued preservation of the Laurent House, Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpiece. The evening will include brisket with sides from Little Nick’s BBQ; bourbon and other spirits tastings by Artale; live blues music from BMR4 Blues Machine; cash bar, appetizers and desserts by Baker Street Burgers; a silent auction and mini tours of the home. Tickets include a commemorative glass and one complimentary drink per person. There will be parking and a shuttle from Spring Creek United Church of Christ, 4500 Spring Creek Road (also walking distance from the Laurent House).
When: 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6
Where: Laurent House, 4646 Spring Brook Road, Rockford
Cost: $100
Macktown After Dark
What: The Macktown After Dark event is an evening of history, mystery and community support. Step into the past like never before … under the glow of lantern light. History will come alive at twilight at this exclusive after-hours fundraiser. Guests will enjoy intimate, guided lantern-lit tours of Macktown’s historic buildings and grounds, as well as libations and hors d’oeuvres. Hear the stories, legends and little-known facts of Macktown’s earliest days. Beverages, charcuterie, and sweet treats included. Every ticket helps preserve Macktown’s history and supports its educational programs. This event is for guests age 21 or older only.
When: 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6
Where: Macktown Living History, 2221 Freeport Road, Rockton
Cost: $40; $75 per couple
Crawfish Boil
What: Enjoy some crawfish at the annual event.
When: Noon – 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6
Where: Hooks and Bobbers, 612 Bridge St., Winslow
Mother Daughter Tea Party
What: This Mother-Daughter tea party celebrates what would have been Jane Addams’ 165th birthday. She was a trail blazer in social reform, peace and women’s rights. Dress up and wear your best tea party hat; there will be a contest with prizes. Sandwiches, salads, desserts and drinks will be served. There will be goodies for attendees including coloring books, puzzles, raffles and keepsake photos.
When: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6
Where: Cedarville Area Historical Society, 450 Second St., Cedarville
Cost: $15 for mother and daughter; $5 for each additional participant
Durand Biker Bash
What: The event also features a chili shoot out, food and beer, live music and a school supply drive.
When: 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6
Where: Downtown Durand
Serbian Days
What: Get ready for a weekend full of great food, live music, and family fun at the Serbian Days Festival. This Rockford festival brings together delicious Serbian flavors, cultural performances, and exciting tournaments that everyone can enjoy. Try slow-roasted lamb and pork, barbecue ćevapi and sausages, savory sarma, flaky pita, and homemade cakes and sweets. Dance and sing along to the sounds of Serbian performers all weekend long. On Saturday, enjoy Bilja, Veljko Kalem and Radovan Filipović. Sunday performers are Neda Granić & Braća Jasnić. Cheer on local talent in two high-energy tournaments: 3×3 Serbian Basketball Tournament Saturday and 3v3 Serb Fest Soccer Super Cup with youth divisions from U10–U14 Sunday.
When: Saturday, Sept. 6 and Sunday, Sept. 7
Where: Holy Ascension Serbian Orthodox Church, 4301 W. Riverside Blvd., Rockford
Cost: Free admission
Rally Day and Empty Bowls Project
What: Worship starts at 10 a.m. Stay for the annual Rally Day Potluck and Empty Bowls Project, benefiting FACC’s Kreeger Memorial Food Pantry at 11:30 a.m. The Empty Bowls Project is a grassroots movement by artists and crafts people in cities and towns around the world to raise money for food-related charities to care for and feed the hungry in their communities. The goal is to glaze 96 food-safe bowls to be sold at the 2025 FACC Hunger Luncheon in November. Proceeds support the Kreeger Memorial Food Pantry and its mission of ending hunger in the community.
When: 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 7
Where: St. John United Church of Christ, 1010 S. Park Blvd., Freeport
Cost: Free
An Afternoon of Song
What: The Freeport Community Concert Association hosts Nicolai Janitzky, a student of opera at Yale University and at the Music Academy of the West. He is a full lyric with an Italianate timbre, whose repertoire spans bel canto to Russian romantic literature, German lieder to French art song. He will be joined by pianist Kristen Nelson, an active performer, accompanist and teacher in the Rockford area.
When: 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7
Where: Masonic Event Center, 305 W. Stephenson St., Freeport
Cost: Free
Coming next week
Monday Murders Book Group
What: The group will discuss “If Looks Could Kill” By Kate White. Meet Bailey Weggins, the thirty-something, single-again true crime writer for a leading Manhattan woman’s magazine. Smart and savvy, she’s got a sixth sense when it comes to seeing the truth in a story-especially if it’s murder. Everyone is welcome for this book group; no registration is required. Pick up a copy of the book on the second floor.
When: 1-2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8
Where: Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Cost: Free
Downtown Unlocked
What: Downtown Freeport is filled with beautiful, historic buildings looking for great ideas, caretakers, businesses and residential tenants. Dream big as you tour some of the vacant spaces and learn about possibilities for their use. Please register so there are enough materials available. Check-in to receive property information.
When: 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11
Where: Karcher Block Pocket Park, 17 W. Stephenson St., Freeport
Cost: Free
Kathi Edwards is a freelance contributor to the Freeport Journal-Standard
This article originally appeared on Journal Standard: Tailgate Tee-Off and Picklefest 2025 are among 13 events this weekend in Freeport area
Reporting by Kathi Edwards / Journal Standard
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