Daily
Rockford
Monday, October 27th, 2025
Good morning, Rockford. Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 27th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Thousands of trick-or-treaters attended the All Hallow’s Eve event at Midway Village last Saturday where community sponsors set up crafts — wagon rides, games and food to show that the historic venue still hosts lively local traditions. WTVO
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ On Sunday, vendors, food trucks, and local entertainment filled the UW Health Sports Factory for the fourth Dia De Los Muertos celebration in Rockford. The event, which runs from Halloween through November 2, honored the memories of loved ones — families joined together to celebrate a cherished tradition. WIFR
- ➤ Rockford University students held the first African Cultural Fair on Sunday afternoon at Regent’s Hall in the Burpee Center to celebrate diverse African traditions. Booths featured art, clothing, music, food, and crafts — organizers said the event helped teach visitors about many cultures and plan another fair next year. WIFR
- ➤ Time is running down to see the Festival of Frights at Sinnissippi Park, where extra displays have been added along a one-mile route for the seventh year. Treats and tricks will be offered Friday night — the attraction is free with donations used to buy costumes for kids in need. WIFR
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Alignment Rockford secured a $49K subcontract from Birth to Five Illinois to enhance its Ready to Learn program, which expands early learning access for children in Rockford and Winnebago County—funding will support community events and strengthen partnerships in education, healthcare, housing, and more. EduDream will develop a dashboard to track outcomes and guide resources for early learning. Rockford Register Star
- ➤ Rockford University senior Kaden Finnestad was named a Student Laureate at the Lincoln Academy ceremony in Chicago on Oct. 18—he received the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award, a medallion, and a $1,000 check for his leadership as a football team member, Resident Assistant, and active community volunteer. Rockford Register Star
- ➤ Illinois community colleges bucked the national trend with enrollment growing for a fourth year due to a focus on career and technical education—Rock Valley College in Rockford saw more than a 9% rise while campuses statewide added roughly 274,000 new students. These increases highlight a strong shift toward training in trades and healthcare. WTVO
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is inviting vendors to bid for a camp store concession at Lowden State Park, with a mandatory pre-bid meeting set for 11 a.m. Oct. 29 (details on bid submission and contract terms will be provided then). Rockford Register Star
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The Better Business Bureau warned Medicare users that scammers are using artificial intelligence to create realistic documents during open enrollment from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7—Rockford Regional Office head Dennis Horton said calls, texts and emails asking for Medicare ID numbers are scams that may lead to identity theft. Rockford Register Star
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The newly built Clarence Hicks Sports Complex hosted the Chicago Bears NFL Flag Regional tournament — drawing young athletes from across the Midwest and serving as a qualifier for the NFL championships in Canton, Ohio. General manager Lamont Jones said the event brought nearly $500,000 to the local economy — a boost for local teams like the Rockford Bears 14U girls who had only four practices before the tournament. WTVO
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Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Tribute
7-10 p.m. — Rockford Casino — Tickets required — Experience the powerful tribute to Led Zeppelin with Jason Bonham at the Rockford Casino.
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Halloween Night with Taboo Blah Blah
8-11 p.m. — The Music Box — Check website for tickets — Enjoy an evening of rhythmic sounds and heartfelt songwriting with local band Taboo Blah Blah.
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An Evening with Long-Shot
8-10:30 p.m. — The Music Box — Ticket information not provided — Enjoy an evening of music with Rockford's own twin brothers and their band Long-Shot.
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X Bar Bingo Night at Chewy’s
7-9 p.m. — Chewy’s Sports Bar & Grill — Bring your own markers — Enjoy a fun-filled evening of bingo with prizes and delightful dinner specials.
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Ninja Kidz Live
6-7:30 p.m. — Coronado Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the excitement of the Ninja Kidz Live show in Rockford's historic theatre.
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2025 Annual Diwali Night Celebration
5-9 p.m. — Harlem High School — $15-$35 — Celebrate Diwali with dinner, dancing, performances, and cultural festivities.
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Beyond the Scoreboard: A Night of Champions
6-9 p.m. — Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront — $12 individual, $50 family of five — Celebrate mental health awareness in sports with MLB champion Ben Zobrist and local leaders.
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An Evening with Nathan Graham & Noah Guthrie
7-10:30 p.m. — The Music Box — $20.11 — Experience soulful melodies blending South Side Blues with Nashville Americana.
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An Evening with The Cold Stares
7:30-10:00 p.m. — The Music Box — Starting at $15.08 — Experience the fierce, blistering live show of The Cold Stares, a duo with nearly a decade of world touring.
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Babyface Concert
7-10 p.m. — Rockford Casino — Tickets available — Experience a night of soulful music with the legendary Babyface.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Skills are cheap. Passion is expensive.
~ Naval Ravikant
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