Cherry Valley
Cherry Valley, IL · Local Life
WSAV News 3
Sock Monkey Festival celebrates 21 years in Rockford
aroundptown.com
Blooming Fusion 2026 Celebrates Floral Art and Regional Talent
Spring came early to Dixon with the success of Blooming Fusion 2026 at The Next Picture Show Community Fine Arts Center. The juried exhibition featured floral and nature-inspired artwork in a variety of two-dimensional media, transforming the gallery into a vibrant celebration of color, gardens, and landscapes. The exhibition drew...
everafterinthewoods.com
This Old-School Illinois Bakery Is Worth The Drive For Pie Alone
Some restaurants build their reputation quietly over the years, one slice of pie at a time. In North Aurora, Illinois, a long-running bakery restaurant has done exactly that, earning loyal regulars through generous plates, old-school baking, and a setting that feels pleasantly removed from the rush of everyday life. The...
WIFR
Sock Monkey Madness returns for 21st annual festival in Rockford
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Area residents are invited on Saturday to celebrate and learn about Rockford historical icon, the sock monkey. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., March 7, the annual Sock Monkey Madness festival is held at the Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Rd., in Rockford. This year’s theme is...
northernstar.info
Aurora Music Company still rockin’ after 4 years
While other small businesses were shutting down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one music shop opened its doors to new beginnings four years ago. Aurora Music Company, located at 137 E. Lincoln Highway, is a music store co-founded by childhood friends Robert Mondi and Frank Agnello, who both shared a passion for music and played in bands as kids.
krosradio.com
Timber Lake Playhouse Invites Audiences to Celebrate its 65th Anniversary Season in 2026
MT. CARROLL, Ill. — As summer plans begin to take shape, Timber Lake Playhouse is inviting audiences to be part of a milestone year in 2026 – its 65th Anniversary Season at the Theatre in the Woods. For 65 years, Timber Lake Playhouse has welcomed generations of theatergoers...
WIFR
familydestinationsguide.com
This Car-Themed Restaurant Serves Up The Most Creative Burgers In Wisconsin
Some restaurants play it safe with their burger menu, offering maybe a bacon cheeseburger if they’re feeling adventurous. The Garage in Kenosha looked at that approach, laughed, and decided to create burgers that sound like they were invented during a very creative brainstorming session. Here’s a question: when did...
WIFR
Rockford gears up to celebrate its creative spark at annual arts awards
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Rockford’s creative heartbeat will pulse loud and proud as the Rockford Area Arts Council rolls out the red carpet for the 2026 Rockford Area Arts Awards this Friday, March 6, 2026. The celebration’s theme, “Connecting Our Community Through the Arts,” brings together artists like painters,...
familyvacationsus.com
One Illinois restaurant where the Italian beef has people skipping every other spot in town
There’s a place in Elmwood Park, Illinois, where the Italian beef sandwiches have become a local legend: Johnnie’s Beef. Known for its no-frills ambiance and mouth-watering menu, this iconic spot has captured the hearts of locals and visitors alike. Iconic Italian Beef. The hallmark of a Chicago staple,...
northwestquarterly.com
PrairieFire Golf & Grill: Where Fry Baskets Meet the Fairway
PrairieFire Golf & Grill opened in 2020 with a clear goal of providing year-round golf. However, the food at this restaurant and driving range, located at 6734 N. German Church Road, in Byron, Ill., has earned golf claps of its own and it now draws diners, too. The Byron Forest...
northwestquarterly.com
A History of Rockford Movie Theaters
Between 1870 and 1930, vaudeville grew to become the most popular form of entertainment in America. More than 25,000 performers took the stage during those years; it employed nearly 12,000 people at its peak. Performers came from concert saloons, variety halls, burlesque, Wild West and minstrel shows. Playbills consisted of...
WIFR
Chipotle to open another location in Rockford
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Chipotle Mexican Grill announced residents will soon see another location pop up in the Forest City. On Wednesday, March 4, the new location will open its doors to guests at 5521 E. State Street. The restaurant will be open from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.