Good morning, Rockford.

Rockford’s Kaleidoscope Employee Resource Group will join the NOH8 Campaign — hosting a public photo shoot against hate at the Nordlof Center on Oct.

1 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Kingdom Authority Church will hold a public meeting on Saturday, September 20 at 12 p.m. at the former Rockford Memorial Hospital campus (closed in July) to explain its purchase and building plans.

Pastors Melvin and Sheila Brown said the meeting will provide details on next steps and allow community input.

The YMCA of Rock River Valley opened its newly renovated Kids’ Care space at the SwedishAmerican Riverfront YMCA in Rockford yesterday—partnering with Goodwill Industries.

The $750,000 facility offers free care for YMCA members for up to two hours a day—supporting The Excel Center’s tuition-free high school with on-site childcare.

Hennig, Inc. was named on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list at number 1,821 after posting 239.38% growth in three years and growing from 345 to over 1,100 employees in Rockford.

The company expanded its facility from 300,000 to more than 1,000,000 square feet and ranked 61st among U.S. manufacturers — a sign of its commitment to innovation and local support.

Hard Rock Casino Rockford earned four first-place wins—Best Promotions, Best Table Games, Best Dealers, and Best High Limit Room—in Casino Player Magazine's Best of Gaming 2025 Awards and also finished in second and third place in several categories.

The awards highlight its strong performance since opening in August 2024 and show the casino remains focused on guest enjoyment.

Award-winning actor Billy Bob Thornton and his band The Boxmasters will perform in Rockford on Friday, Sept.

19 at Hard Rock Live—doors open at 7 p.m. and attendees must be 21 or older while tickets for their tour supporting the new album 'Pepper Tree Hill' went on sale in May.

Reed Timmer, a storm chaser and meteorologist known for his work on Storm Chasers, will speak at the Coronado Theatre in Rockford tomorrow to share his tornado experiences and scientific methods for gathering storm data—his talk will also feature audio recordings that let the audience hear a tornado's roar.

Rockford officials have chosen five finalists for chief of the Fire Department, including Jeffrey Althoff, Scott Bravery, Matthew Cordonnier, Timothy Morris, and Rebecca Tyo — each with extensive experience and education.

The public can join a virtual Q&A forum on September 23 and attend an in-person meet and greet on October 6 at Kresge Hall at Riverfront Museum Park.

A guide of 10 top spots near Rockford was released to help locals plan outings to see vibrant fall colors, and parks and gardens will offer scenic trails and views when leaves change in mid to late October — perfect for family visits.

The list includes popular sites like Rock Cut and Lowden State Park to enjoy autumn’s display.

Greenwich Village Art Fair

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Rockford Art Museum — Free entry — Explore local art, enjoy live music, and engage in children's activities at this vibrant outdoor fair.

Glow in the Garden

6-9 p.m. — Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens — Cost varies — Celebrate the end of summer with family activities, lanterns, and fun runs.

Rockford Symphony Orchestra Opening Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — Coronado Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the vibrant rhythms of Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky performed by the RSO and guest guitarist Daniel Bolshoy.

Trail Mix Off-Road Duathlon and Mountain Bike Race

2-8 p.m. — Atwood Park Trail System — Registration required — Compete in duathlon and mountain bike races while enjoying food and drinks from local vendors.

Lola Blu & the Boys Live Performance

8 PM – 12 AM — Grand Avenue Pub — Check local listings for ticket details — Experience Lola Blu's captivating blend of country and southern rock at this lively pub venue.

Rock River Valley Video Game Convention

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Riverview Inn & Suites — Ticket prices vary — Experience a day of gaming fun at the Rockford area's premier video game convention.