Each year, on August 15th, Rockford, Illinois celebrates 815 Day, otherwise known as Rockford Day! This is a day to enjoy all that Rockford has to offer and feel proud to be a Rockfordian. This year, there are a bunch of fun things happening for families on Rockford Day. Take a look at the list below and make plans to celebrate Rockford Day!

Rockford Day events

This year, there will be a few fun things going on in downtown Rockford!

Rockford Midtown Market (501 7th St.) is going on from 9 am – 1 pm with 15 vendors, food trucks and more.

Rockford Art Deli and The River District (402 E. State Street) will be doing live prints of the classic bracket 815 design from 11 am – 2 pm as part of Beats and Bites. Prints are $8.15 if you bring your own shirt and $18.15 if you buy a shirt from RAD. There will also be a DJ, food trucks, and more.

Midway Village Museum (6799 Guilford Road) has FREE admission all day from 10 am – 4 pm!

Midland States Bank will have family-friendly activities at Davis Park (401 S. Main St.) from 11 am – 2 pm. There will be face painting, temporary tattoos, music, giveaways, and more.

Rockford Public Library is encouraging reading by having people come to any of the branches and read for 8 minutes and 15 seconds from 9 am – 8 pm. If you do so, you’ll get a button of the Rockford mural. You can go to the main library at 215 N. Wyman Street, the East branch at 6685 E. State Street, or Montague branch at 1238 S. Winnebago Street.

Edgebrook is having sales from 10 am – 6 pm, an outdoor podcast with Kathi Kresol of Haunted Rockford and Tim Larson of Storytellers Studio, a special concert with 80’s Hit List Band, and food and drinks from Lucha Cantina.

The Miracle Mile at Fairview Shopping Center (3600 E. State Street) will be handing out Kindness Project cards, hosting a celestial journey in Space Case Sarah’s planetarium, and allowing others to participate in creating a masterpiece with local artist, Bryan Douglas. Bring diapers and baby wipes to donate to the Pregnancy Care Center. After you have completed your kindness act, post it publicly on your social media with the following hashtags: #BeKind815 and #815Day2024.

Carlito’s Munchie Station (5723 N. 2nd Street, Loves Park) is hosting food trucks and vendors from 11 am – 8:15 pm, activities for kids, and live music. There will be ice cream, juices, food, and more.

Ethnic Heritage Museum (1005 S. Main St.) will be open for tours from 1 pm – 4 pm. After completing the tour, you’ll be given a coupon for a free granita at Zammuto’s.

The Bricks (125 S. Walnut Street, Cherry Valley) is hosting vendors and snacks from Cattle and Cream’s pop-up from 4 pm – 7 pm. There will also be bounce houses, an inflatable axe throwing booth, bags tournament, and more.

Forest Preserves of Winnebago County (5500 Northrock Drive) is hosting a scavenger hunt from 4 pm – 8:15 pm. Find all of the items in the scavenger hunt and win a prize. Pick up a card at the Administration Building.

First Covenant Church (316 Wood Road, Rockford) is hosting a block party from 5 pm – 8:15 pm with carnival games, a dunk tank, inflatables, a food truck, crafts, and more.

Pig Minds Brewing Co. (4080 Steele Dr., Machesney Park) is hosting an 815 themed trivia from 7 pm – 9 pm.

Rockford Day specials

Many local businesses are offering deals and sales for 815 Day. Here are some of the best deals for families happening on August 15th in Rockford!

• Hot bag sale at Mrs. Fisher Chips (1231 Fulton Ave., Rockford, IL) from 7 am – 3 pm . You can get a 1 lb. of fresh chips for $4! There is no limit on how many bags you purchase.
  
• Ernie’s Midtown Pub (1025 5th Ave.) will be offering a smash burger, hot dog, and BLTA wrap with fries for $8.15 each. There will also be a professional photographer to take your picture outside from 11 am – 1 pm and 5 pm – 7 pm for Ernie’s customers only.
  
• Discovery Center Museum (711 N. Main St.) will be have $8.15 admission from 8 am – 4:30 pm and a Rockford themed scavenger hunt in the museum.
  
• Paint a canvas at The Pottery Lounge (312 N. Alpine Rd.) from 10 am – 5 pm for $8.15. You can also get $8.15 off a $30 purchase.
  
• Volcano Falls is offering a $8.15 deal on mini golf, laser tag, and go carts and pizza and slushies from 10 am – 10 pm.
  
• Meet with Junior League of Rockford at Edgebrook (1639 N. Alpine Rd.) from 4 pm – 7 pm to learn about the organization.
  
• Enjoy a glass of any wine at After the Vine (163 Hawick, Rockton) from 1 pm – 9 pm for $8.15 per glass. You can also buy a bottle and enter a raffle for a $15 gift card.
  
• Join the YMCA of Rock River Valley for only $8.15 for the rest of August! This includes the two Rockford locations and the Loves Park branch. You can join in person or online.
  
• Carlson Ice Arena (4150 N Perryville Rd., Loves Park) is offering an $8.15 public skate package that includes two admissions and two skate rentals from 11 am – 12:50 pm on Rockford Day.
  
• Sand Park Pool (1041 E Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, IL) is offering $8.15 for general admission on Rockford Day from 1 pm – 6 pm.

You can view all of the local business sales here.

Other ways to celebrate Rockford Day

Here are some more ideas for celebrating Rockford Day!

Take a downtown Rockford Mural Walk

GoRockford has set up a very cool new mobile passport that you can use to explore the public art in the Rockford area. If you sign up for the passport and visit five places then you can redeem your points for a prize! Check out the Rewards tab and either get the prize shipped to your home or stop by the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (102 N. Main St.) to pick it up! Read more about our experience checking out public art here.

Explore the Adventure Trail in Rockford

In addition to the public art passport, GoRockford has an Adventure Trail passport. This passport allows you to check in at numerous Rockford area attractions and earn points redeemable for prizes. Read more about our experience here.

Take a selfie with the Symbol and the Rock Men on the Rock River Recreation Path.

Visit Nelson the Sock Monkey at Midway Village. Admission is FREE all day!

Spend the day playing at Discovery Center Museum. Admission is $8.15 all day!

Visit the Growing Home exhibit at Nicholas Conservatory (1354 N. 2nd St). Admission is $8 per adult / $6 per kid ages 5-17 / $4 per kid ages 3-4 / free for ages 2 and under.

Visit Burpee Museum and check out their awesome dinosaur collections and live reptiles on the third floor. Admission is $8.15 all day for those 4 and over!

Enjoy one of the many forest preserves, parks, and playgrounds in Rockford. This one is the Sinnissippi Exploration Station next to the Rock River Path. It’s great for toddlers and preschoolers.

Visit Beyer Stadium (245 15th Ave., Rockford) the former home of the great Rockford Peaches.

Stop by Rockford Art Deli (402 E. State St.) and buy some Rockford merch! There are so many cute things to choose from in sizes for the whole family.

How are you celebrating 815 Day this year?