Are you ready for Rockford’s Fourth of July celebration? Here's what you need to know

ROCKFORD — Monday is the Fourth of July, and downtown Rockford will be buzzing with patriotic activities.

This year’s event will feature a host of family-friendly activities, including a prayer breakfast, parade, live entertainment at Davis Park and a 30-minute fireworks show dubbed Skyconcert 2022.

Organizers say the musically synchronized fireworks display will feature the “strongest finale ever.”

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Led by "Mr. Fourth of July," Joe Marino, Rockford 4th of July Committee has been organizing the annual event since 1963.

Marino died in 2018, leaving the reins to his grandsons, cousins Ted O’Donnell and Tom Luepkes, who work with a team of volunteers to keep the party going.

If you're planning to head downtown for the holiday, here are some highlights. 

Lifescape Fourth of July Classic Run/Walk

The run/walk starts at 7 a.m. There’s an 8K run through downtown, a 2-mile run and two 1-mile runs for kids and families.

Gramps with Amps

At 3:30 p.m., local surf rock and rockabilly band Gramps with Amps will perform a free show at the Joe Marino statue on the corner of East State and Water streets.

Davis Park

Davis Park will open its doors at 4 p.m. There will be live entertainment by Dirty Pop, a free children’s area, and food from host of vendors including Olivo Taco, Pizza Fresca, DNA Concession and Rapped with Smoke BBQ. Admission $5 for the public, $4 for veterans. Children 5 and younger are free.

Parade

Emcee Dominick Bennett will kick off the parade at 4:30 p.m. The parade runs north on Seventh Street to East State Street, crosses the bridge and ends on Church Street. 

Live Music Stages

Acoustic band Old Soul Radio will perform at Ingersoll Centennial Park, 315 S. First St. Bootleg Soul will perform on the parade grandstand on the corner of West State and Wyman streets. Both shows begin at 6 p.m.

Fireworks

Skyconcert 2022 kicks off at 9:30 p.m. Tune into 103.1 FM for the synchronized soundtrack to the 30-minute fireworks display. 

According to organizers, this year’s fireworks will have more pyrotechnics than any Skyconcert in history. The event concludes at 10 p.m.

Prime viewing areas

Some of best places to view the downtown fireworks are Davis Park, Chestnut Street Bridge, State Street Bridge, Ingersoll Centennial Park, UW Sports Factory parking lot, and Morgan Street Bridge.

“It truly is the prime viewing area for all the fireworks and special pyro effects,” O’Donnell said of Davis Park. 

Jim Hagerty covers general news, schools, and courts. Contact him at  jhagerty@rrstar.com and @jimhagerty.