Good morning, Rockford.

At Severson Dells Nature Center, community members learned how bees build hives and beavers make dams at several hands-on stations that also showed them how landscapes form through drone studies and bridge building—helping them connect with nature.

Science Saturdays continue with a new theme on winged wonders on August 2.

Valley Orchard—located in Cherry Valley—hosted Cherry Fest on July 5 despite hot weather that picked all the cherries; guests enjoyed cherry pies, turnovers, and blueberry picking to keep the festival going.

Rockford mother Bertha Ceballos held the second annual 5K Moms Against Gun Violence Walk downtown to honor her son Joey Torres and nephew Jorge Torres, who were killed on June 30 by gun violence.

The event was shortened by rain to a gathering outside the Winnebago County Justice Center—Ceballos said she will hold similar walks in the future and noted the court date for the alleged killer is set for Aug. 11.

Rockford firefighters responded to a two-alarm fire at a condominium on Ampitheatre Drive early Saturday at 12:21 a.m., where heavy smoke and a ruptured gas line brought in Nicor Gas+ComEd+the Rockford Building Department, causing $150,000 in damages and displacing one adult while officials investigate the accidental blaze contained to one unit.

Firefighters from Harlem-Roscoe + Loves Park responded to a house fire on the 6000 block of Kilburn Ave Saturday afternoon in a two-story home with flames seen on the second floor, and officials have not provided further details.

Starting next week, the Rockford Police Department will join over 200 agencies in a plan to slow speeding on busy roads—drivers in the city may soon get a ticket if they exceed the speed limit between July 8-31.

Midway Village Museum staged a live re-enactment that showed what life was like in Rockford during the Civil War, with interpreters recruiting for the union army and leading a march and drill with soldiers — while also highlighting Camp Fuller, a training site used for six months in 1862.

Screw City Duathlon and Multi-Sports Event

8 AM — Peak Sports Club — Register by July 8, 2024 — Participate in a thrilling duathlon, team duathlon, or 2-mile run/walk in a community-focused event.

Japanese Summer Festival

Experience Japanese culture — July 26-27 — Anderson Japanese Gardens — Admission details not specified — Enjoy live performances, martial arts, crafts, and delicious cuisine in a serene garden setting.

Greater Rockford Classic

Fri-Sun, Aug 1-3 — Aldeen Golf Club — Registration Fee Required — Compete in a nearly century-old tournament with 54 holes of stroke play open to players aged 14 and older.

Maxwell Concert

7-10 p.m. — Hard Rock Live - Rockford — Tickets from $86 — Experience a night of soulful melodies with Maxwell at Hard Rock Casino.

Dockside Live featuring Tristan Sheedloe

6-9 p.m. — Prairie Street Brewing Co. — Free entry — Enjoy original tunes and 90s grunge covers while relaxing by the riverfront.