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By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Independence Day activities get an early start today and continue throughout the holiday with a parade, live music and fireworks.
This is the 60th year that the nonprofit Rockford Fourth of July Civic Committee has put on the fireworks show for the city.
Related: Your guide to Fourth of July fireworks and events in the Rockford region
Here’s a breakdown of things to know to plan your day, from where to park, prime viewing spots, parade routes and more:
When do activities start?
Activities begin at 7 a.m. with the Lifescape Fourth of July Classic Run/Walk in downtown.
Runners have their choice of an 8K, 2-mile or the family 1-mile Family Fun Walk. All races start and finish on Madison Street near the trolley station, which is just south of Riverview Ice House, 324 N. Madison St.
All proceeds benefit Lifescape’s programs and services for older adults and adults with disabilities.
When are the fireworks?
Fireworks blast off at 9:30 p.m. tonight.
The show lasts 30 minutes, and you can tune in to B103 Rockford at 103.1 FM to hear the skyconcert with the fireworks display synced to music.
Where to park
Parking is available on the first three floors of the parking deck west of the BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St., as well as in the parking deck east of the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St. There are no fees for the parking decks on July 4.
There are also various on-street and municipal parking lots in downtown.
The city encourages people to carpool if they plan on coming to downtown and leave plenty of time to park and pick their viewing spot.
Where to watch
The fireworks shoot into the sky from the east bank of the Rock River south of the UW Health Sports Factory, and you can get a good view of the show from almost anywhere in downtown.
The prime viewing area is considered to be Davis Park, 320 S. Wyman St., which has a $5 donation for entry.
Other key viewing areas, according to the Fourth of July committee, are the Morgan Street bridge, the two southern lanes of the Chestnut Street bridge, the State Street bridge, the UW Health Sports Factory parking lot, 305 S. Madison St., and Ingersoll Centennial Park, 315 S. First St., Rockford.
You can also watch live on television on WTVO.
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What if it rains?
Showers and thunderstorms are possible after 4 p.m. tonight, according to the National Weather Service.
The fireworks display is slated to go on rain or shine. However, if there is lightning, the show may be delayed to Friday.
Weather updates will be provided on the civic committee’s Facebook page HERE.
When is the parade?
The motorcycle parade begins at 4:40 p.m. on its route from Midtown to downtown. The Jeep parade follows 10 minutes later and then the main patriotic parade steps off at 5 p.m. on Thursday.
What is the parade route?
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The parade forms at Seventh Street and Sixth Avenue in Midtown and then proceeds north on Seventh Street to East State Street. Once on State, the parade moves west past Wyman Street and disbands at Church Street.
What is the music and entertainment schedule?
Here’s a breakdown of where to catch live music and entertainment:
- 4 p.m. Gramps with Amps performs at Joe Marino Park, on the corner of Water and State streets
- 4 p.m. Davis Park, 320 S. Wyman St., entrance opens. $5 entry fee; $4 for veterans. Free for children 5 and younger
- 4:30 p.m. Andy Yaun – The Rockabilly Kid performs in Davis Park
- 4:30 p.m. DJ Freedom Bennett spins music and announces the parade from the grandstand stage
- 5:30 p.m. in Davis Park: Characters2Life presents glitter tattoo artists, balloon artists, Woman of Wonder, American Hero and children’s games
- 6:30 p.m. Dirty Pop performs in Davis Park
- 9:15 p.m. Davis Park entrance closes in preparation for the fireworks show
Where is the food?
Ingersoll Centennial Park, 315 S. First St.: Cantina Taco, Sassy Macs, funnel cakes
Davis Park, 320 S. Wyman St.: Pepsi tent, Hayes Distribution with Miller Light, Coors Light, PBR, Twisted Tea, White Claw Black Berry, Summer Shandy and Jack Daniels Down Home Punch. There is also food from Rapped with Smoke BBQ, DnA Concessions, Pizza Fresca, Kona Ice and Jammin’ Jerk.
Joe Marino Park and City Market pavilion: LuLu’s Corn, Teppan Xpress, Downtown Fancy Franks, lemon shakeups
What are the road closures?
- Madison Street from East State Street north to Y Boulevard will be closed from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. for the Lifescape run and walk.
- Other street closes begin around 11 a.m., starting with the Morgan Street bridge, followed by the Chestnut Street bridge.
- All streets in the general footprint of Charles and State streets along the parade route will be closed by 3 p.m. Police will provide traffic control on Second, Third, Sixth and Seventh streets will allow traffic to cross periodically, but traffic is urged to find alternate routes.
- The Jefferson Street bridge remains completely open for traveling west into downtown.
- Main Street will be completely open after the parade for north and south travel.
Who pays for the fireworks?
The annual fireworks show is paid for by sponsorships and donations made to the Rockford Fourth of July Civic Committee. It costs about $95,000 to put on the event, including $75,000 to hire Indiana-based Pyrotecno, the largest fireworks show designer in North America, to put on the display.
How to show your support
The Fourth of July fireworks display is funded entirely by donations and sponsorships. No taxpayer money is used.
You can donate online here.
You can also mail a check to: Rockford 4th of July Civic Committee, 728 N. Prospect St., Suite 107, Rockford IL, 61107
More info: 4thandlights.com
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas