DO YOU WANT TO BE A FIREFIGHTER?—Again this year join Rockford firefighters in waterball competitions outside the firebarn following the parade on Saturday. You must sign up by calling Rockford Fire Chief Mike Reus at (616) 866-1553.
There is no reason to wait for Start of Summer fun. Rockford residents can begin enjoying beautiful downtown Rockford and the carnival in the South Squires Street lot on Thursday, June 11. As a special thank you to City residents for putting up with all the activities, the City again offers Community Night on Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m. For just $10 residents who show proof of City residency may purchase wrist bands allowing unlimited carnival rides. For Rockford residents living outside the City, enjoy the same unlimited rides at Community Night by buying the bands for just $20. Wrist bands are available at the carnival ticket booth.
After Community Night, there are still three great days of fun planned for this year’s 41st annual Start of Summer Celebration. Regular events begin Friday, June 12 and run through Sunday, June 14.
The carnival opens for family fun at noon on Friday along with craft and food booths downtown. Enjoy a children’s tent, Dee Jay the Clown, Delightful and Silly Songs by Aaron VandeWege, and Elvis at the American Legion at 8 p.m. and more (see schedule, pages 2 and 3.
The Rockford East Business Association (REBA) is again helping with transportation by offering a free shuttle every half hour from D&W Center, MVP and Rockford Center on Friday 5 to 11 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Enjoy booths, food of all sorts, activities for all ages. The popular frog and turtle races will be back on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Chase Bank, so catch your critters soon.
Also popular is the annual Start of Summer parade Satuday, June 13 beginning at 11 a.m. The parade route follows Main Street to Bridge and ends on Monroe. Fireworks will be at dusk on Saturday and can be viewed from downtown, especially near the dam.
OLD-TIME FUN—Frog and turtle races downtown Rockford are a staple of the Start of Summer Celebration. Here a youngster holds up her racing box turtle before the event.
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