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Meltfest Continued from Cover If an outdoor celebration sounds a little too optimistic, don’t worry. “We can move the festival indoors if the temperature is below 35 degrees, but we’re really gearing up to be outside,” says Huels. “If it’s over 35 degrees, it’ll feel like a real heat wave, after what we’ve been through this winter.” Event attractions include: • Some 30 to 40 vendors will sell food and retail items. Among them: Rockford Art Deli, Kate’s Pie Shop, Vintage @ 501, Woodfire Brick Oven Pizza, Kokobear Bakery, Girl Scouts and JavaMania Gourmet Coffee Roastery. Some vendors will operate outdoors; others will set up shop inside the Brewhouse. • An outdoor stage will feature two bands: Missing Links and Unity The Band, as well as DJ music. • Rockford Park District will offer
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Smart Living Weekly
free skating and skate rental at Riverview Icehouse, and free trolley rides (weather permitting) on Madison Street. • A non-competitive group bike ride, 3.1 or 6.2 miles, will be coordinated by Team Fur Bandit, a group of Rockford cyclists who ride furry bicycles and raise money for charities. • An early morning 5K walk/run will traverse east and west sides of the Rock River, starting at the Prairie Street Brewhouse, traveling south and crossing the Rock River at the new Morgan Street Bridge, then heading north behind the new Justice Center and returning to the Brewhouse via the underside of the Jefferson Street Bridge. Participants will receive a goody bag and have access to a post-race snack/drink table. “The 5K has a really cool route through five historic neighborhoods in three downtown wards of the city,” says Huels. Rockford University’s sports management program volunteers will coordinate the run with city police cooperation.
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Children will enjoy a scavenger hunt (with their parents) that makes stops at local Rockford landmarks. They’ll also enjoy a craft and activity area (parent or guardian must be present). In addition, attendees can view some of the recent transformations of the ever-improving Prairie Street Brewhouse and Rockford Brewing Co. The latter is gearing up for a grand opening later this spring, when food and beer will be served daily and dockside dining will expand. Although the festival officially ends at 4 p.m., the celebrating doesn’t have to stop, says Huels. “We fully expect that some people will continue their fun after dark. They might want to go out to dinner at a local restaurant or go hear some live music or catch the IceHogs game scheduled that night at BMO Harris Bank Centre.” The ’Hogs face off against Chicago at 7 p.m. The festival is a good opportunity for many organizations to gain exposure, but that’s not the motivation behind it, says