Route 75 Garage Sale

Travel Highway 75 for great garage sales, yard sales, and rummage sales along the highway and in each of the villages. Plus shop at local stores including Rock Run Peddler, The Empty Attic, and Country Cheese. 40 miles along Route 75 in the villages of Dakota, Rock City, Davis, Durand, and Rockton. Maps available.

CITY: Dakota

Trail of Terror

Tucked among the charming small towns, lush scenery and hassle-free motoring in North & Northwest Illinois is the Trail of Terror, a self-guided tour of the area's finest haunted houses, cemetery walks, pumpkin patches, festivals and other spook-tacular seasonal sensations. The fun begins in September and continues through all of October in Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside & Winnebago counties. For all the details and to dig up more information on all of the cool creepiness check out the website for details.

CITY: Polo

Route 75 Garage Sales

Travel Highway 75 for great garage sales, yard sales and rummage sales along the highway and in each of the villages. Plus, shop at local stores including Rock Run Peddler, The Empty Attic and County Cheese. Maps are available. See our website for more information.

CITY: Dakota

Music Under the Stars

Enjoy music under the stars while the Freeport Concert Band performs at the Koenig Outdoor Performance Amphitheater in lovely Krape Park. Sunday nights: June 16, 23, 30,July: 7, 14, and 21.

CITY: Freeport

German Valley Days

This 39th annual hometown festival offers a car show, 5KRun/Walk, parade, stage entertainment, pig scramble, kiddie tractor pull, pork chop barbecue, pancake breakfast, water fights, inflatable rides, bingo, fireworks, contests, concession and more!

CITY: German Valley

Rochelle Railroad Days

Celebrate the pivotal role the railroad has played in the history of Rochelle and its development. Activities include hobo musicians, railroadiana displays and vendors, food booths, and more!

CITY: Rochelle

Meadows Mall Farmers Market

Enjoy this extensive farmers market offering a wide variety of vegtables, baked goods and more. Located in the Meadows Mall parking lot.

CITY: Freeport

Traveling Exhibition: "Treasure! Your Hunt Has Just Begun!"

Explore the history and the hunting of treasure in our newest immersive exhibition. Delve into the technology employed by treasure hunters and focus on the people and personalities lured by the promise of prosperity. Be enticed by shipwreck and treasure site artifacts, and learn to use the tools you'd need to find a fortune. Treasure! is a joint adventure with the Burpee Museum of Natural History, and can be uncovered in the Woodward Exhibit Hall.

CITY: Rockford

ByronFest

ByronFest, one of the finest family festivals in Northern Illinois, offers a wide variety of music, kid-friendly events, sports competitions, food booths and more! The main stage venues are located in Byron's downtown area and additional events are held in other venues throughout the city.

CITY: Byron

Blues, Beer and BBQ Festival

Annual Blues, Beer, and BDQ event at Freeport Art Museum. Sample a fine selecion of beer, live blues music and BBQ. 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Members: $20; Non Members: $23; At Door: $25.

CITY: Freeport

John Deere Green Iron Days

The John Deere Historic Site will be covered in green during the 13th biennial tractor & equipment show. Enjoy the sights & sounds of hundreds of pre-1979 machines. You can also tour the John Deere home, archaeological excavation site of his original blacksmith shop and see a live demonstration of blacksmithing in a replica of his shop.

CITY: Grand Detour

Silver Creek and Stephenson Railroad Steam Train Rides

All aboard as a 36-ton 1912 Heisler steam locomotive pulls three cabooses, including an antique red caboose reported to be the oldest in the state, and three passenger flatcars for a four-mile ride through farmlands and across a bridge 30 feet above Yellow Creek. Purchase your ticket at the Silver Creek Depot, a turn-of-the-century replica filled with railroad artifacts. Browse for novelties in the Freight House Gift Shop. Visit the Silvercreek Museum filled with early Americana and featuring the 130-ton Cooper Corliss Steam Engine and its over 25-foot fly wheel. An ice cream social with sandwiches, chips, pie, cake and ice cream will be available at the museum. Train: Adults: $7; Children under 12: $3; Cab Rides: $15; Museum: Adults: $3, Children under 12: Free. 11 am - 4 pm.

CITY: Freeport

44th Annual Threshing Show and Antique Display

This show features over 300 gas tractors, steam engines and horse-powered equipment, antique tractor pulls, and horse pulls, along with exhibitors showing threshing, sawmills, blacksmithing, weaving, spinning and chair caning. The shows special features this year will be Massy Tractors and Equipment, Gasoline Alley will feature Odd Ball & Out of the Ordinary engines. Browse the huge flea market and ride the steam train at the depot.

CITY: Freeport

58th Annual Ice Cream Social

Start your summer in traditional Freeport Style at the Stephenson County Museum's Annual gathering with food, ice cream and pie, musuem tours, and entertainment. Tour the historic arboretum while you enjoy the company of friends. 5 pm - 8 pm. Admission: $5.

CITY: Freeport

1st Annual Mud Run

1st Annual Mud Run sponsored by assault and Abuse Services features a 5K run over obstables and through water and mud. Obstables are of varing difficulties and offers fun for the whole family.

CITY: Freeport

Lincoln/Douglas Debate Commemoration

Annual public ceremony with speakers, marking the 153rd anniversary of the historic, 1858 meeting of Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln in Freeport, Illinois.

CITY: Freeport

Silver Creek and Stephenson Railroad and Silvercreek Museum Ice Cream Social

All aboard the antique steam train as a 35 ton 1912 Heisler steam locomotive pulls three cabooses, including an antique red caboose, and two passenger flatcars for a four mile ride through farmlands and across a bridge 30 feet above Yellow Creek. Puschase your ticket at the Silver Creek Depot, and browse for novelties in the Freight House. Visit the Silver Creek Museum which offers 25 rooms of early Americana, Henney Motor Company vehicles, which were manufactured in Freeport, and the operating Cooper-Corliss engine, a giant 130 ton steam engine. Enjoy an ice cream social serving sandwiches, chips, pie, cake and ice cream.

CITY: Freeport

Silver Creek and Stephenson Railroad and Silvercreek Museum July 4th Celebration

All aboard the antique steam train as a 36 ton 1912 Heisler steam locomotive pulls three cabooses and two passenger flat cars for a four mile ride through farmland and across a bridge 30 feet above Yellow Creek and view the fireworks in the night sky from the train. Purchase your ticket at the Silver Creek Depot, a turn-of-the-century replica filled with railroad artifacts. Browse for novelties in the Freight House and visit the Silver Creek Museum which offers 25 rooms of early Americana, a display of antique machinery, Henney Motor Company vehicles which were manufactured in Freeport, and the operating Cooper-Corliss engine, a giant 130 ton steam engine. Sandwiches, drinks and deserts served at the Museum

CITY: Freeport

Gardens United Garden Walk

Some of the finest gardens in the Freeport area are opened for touring. The gardeners generously present their creative efforts for the pleasure of the public. Walk through the gardens and enjoy the colorful scenery. Plus a silent auction and a large variety of garden art items will be offered at one garden. Gardeners will be on site to answer questions and to talk about plants and their gardens. Master Gardeners will also be available to advise on garden questions. Gardens United benefits the Assault and Abuse Services of Stephenson County. Call for tickets and map, or drop by the Freeport/Stephenson County Visitors Center, 4596 US Route 20 East, Freeport) to purchase your ticket.

CITY: Freeport

Train of Terror

All aboard the Train of Terror for a thrilling and chilling, four-mile ride with a variety of spooky scenes along the route. Buy tickets at the Silver Creek Depot and Freight House. Food and beverages are available. All Tickets: $8.00

CITY: Freeport

Cruise Night

Join in an old-fashioned cruise through downtown Freeport. There will be live music , a food court offering a variety of tasty choices, and three contests: the Soundwerks and Tailor Made Autoworks Sound Off Contest, the Gary's Collision & Customs Muffler rapping Contest, and the Dan's Route 66 Service Burn Out Contest. There will be a lot filled with antique cars, Hot Rod Alley and two main parking lots for the classic cars, and cruising all night long. Reserved Parking: $12; Non-Reserved Parking: $10; Cruise Only: Free.

CITY: Freeport

Art in the Park

Join us in Krape Park along with the Freeport Art Museum and the Freeport Park District as we welcome back Art in the Park. This fine arts festival celebrates the visual and performing arts of Illinois. Featured are dozens of fine art booths, performing artists, demonstrations of various art mediums and art activities for shildren. Food will be available.

CITY: Freeport

Oregon Trail Days

Celebration of our American Indian and Western heritage with a variety of live entertainment including cowboys on horses, Annie Oakley, The Whip Guy and authentic American Indian dancing and drumming. Pioneer gathering with log cabin, art show, vendors and food court. Lots of children's activities and tours of the Black Hawk Statue. Live country music entertainment, including a Johnny Cash Tribute.

CITY: Oregon

Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad and Silvercreek Museum Fall Harvest Demonstrations

All aboard as a 36-ton 1912 Heisler steam locomotive pulls three cabooses for a four-mile ride through farmlands. Purchase your ticket at the Silver Creek Depot, a turn-of-the-century replica filled with railroad artifacts, and browse the Freight House Gift Shop and Silvercreek Museum. Weather permitting, there will be fall harvest demonstrations with horses and tractors. The museum will feature sauerkraut, brats, hot dogs, chili and dessert.

CITY: Freeport

Fever River Railroad Fall Open House

For model railroad aficionados-and everyone else who ever enjoyed model trains-this model railroad is something to see. The Fever River Railroad is a 103 by 24 foot HO scale model of a hypothetical railroad. The railroad intersects with models of "real" railroads, each of which can be operated independently-up to 20 trains can be operating at one time. Industries along the railroad right-of-way duplicate either actual facilities or are typically correct of the industries that would be found in the Upper Midwest. The scenery represents the geographical area as well. A collection of railroad memorabilia and pictures are on display.

CITY: Freeport

Silver Creek and Stephenson Railroad and Silvercreek Museum Labor Day Celebration

All aboard the antique steam train as a 36 ton 1912 Heisler steam locomotive pulls three cabooses, and two passenger flatcars for a four mile ride through farmlands and across a bridge 30 feet above Yellow Creek. Purchase your ticket at the Silver Creek Depot, a turn-of-the-century replica filled with railroad artifacts. Browse for novelties in the Freight House and visit the Silvercreek Museum which offers 25 rooms of early Americana, a display of antique machinery, Henney Motor Company vehicles which were manufactured in Freeport, and the operating Cooper-Corliss engine, a giant 130 ton steam engine. The Silvercreek Museum will be serving sandwiches and deserts.

CITY: Freeport

Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad Steam Train Rides, Silvercreek Museum Soup Supper

All aboard the antique steam train as a 36 ton 1912 Heisler steam locomotive pulls three cabooses, and two passenger flatcars for a four mile ride through farmlands and across a bridge 30 feet above Yellow Creek. Purchase your ticket at the Silver Creek Deport, and browse for novelties in the Freight House. Visit the Silver Creek Museum which offers 25 rooms of early Americana. Enjoy homemade soup, sandwiches and deserts served at the Museum.

CITY: Freeport

Dixon Petunia Festival

Come to Dixon, the Petunia Capitol of Illinois, for the 49th annual celebration in the Hometown of President Ronald Reagan. Headline entertainment will be The Spin Doctors and a new family event will be the Brush, Bloom and Boom painting competition for all ages. In addition to a kids carnival every day, there will be fireworks on the 4th, a parade, 14th annual Reagan 5K run, the men’s garden club pancake breakfast, bags tournament, Elks Lodge poker tournament, Dixon Municipal Band concert, community worship service, a fishing derby and an art show.

CITY: Dixon

Music On Chicago

Enjoy Freeport's historic downtown with this music fest featuring two bands, great food and a beer garden. The June concert features 70s music. The July concert features the Blues; and the August concert features Rock n' Roll. Adults: $5; Children 5 and under: Free.

CITY: Freeport

Franklin Grove Summer Harvest Festival

The 34th Annual Franklin Grove Summer Harvest Festival is a city-wide celebration of the area's heritage with a wide variety of activities and events for all to enjoy. The festival includes a pancake breakfast, village-wide yard sales, tours of the H.I. Lincoln Building, the Franklin Grove Art & Fiber Festival, the Living History Antique Equipment Show and parade plus tours of the Franklin Creek Grist Mill and Nachusa Grasslands. Many of the Summer Harvest Festival activities and events will take place at Chaplin Creek Village which will also host live blue grass and folk music, draft horse and mule jamboree The Chaplin Creek Muzzle Loaders encampment, 19th century prairie village demonstrations and more.

CITY: Franklin Grove

Stephenson County Fair

Old fashioned county fair, with livestock shows, home-ec and commercial exhibits, food vendors, and grandstand events including youth night, tractor pulls, FMX Freestyle Motocross, demo derby, musical entertainment. Free on-grounds entertainment including an animal show, wood carver, and other children oriented performers and exhibits. Country Music Entertainer Kellie Pickler will be the headliner on Saturday, July 13 with one show on the Grandstand's main stage. Tickets are $20 for reserved seating, and $12 for Grandstand seating. Tickets go on sale June 10 at 9 am.

CITY: Freeport

Rockford City Market

From May through mid-October, the Rockford City Market features local growers and vendors who sell natural products and unique retail items, live music, demonstrations and kids' activities.

CITY: Rockford

Tuesday Evening in the Gardens - Anderson Japanese Gardens

Tuesday Evening in the Gardens is a casual, weeknight opportunity for friends and family to gather and socialize in a truly beautiful and unique setting. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and picnic baskets packed with a light summer supper. Guests are not permitted to carry in their own beverages. There will be local food vendors on site. Bottled water, soft drinks, beer and wine will be available for purchase.

CITY: Rockford

Pretzel City 5K Run

This is a great run whether you are a novice looking to run your first 5K, or a seasoned competitior looking to beat your personal best time. Part of the Rockford Runners Circuit. Krape Park: Registration begins at 7 am, race begins at 8 am. Registration Fee: $30 for all ages.

CITY: Freeport

Rockford Aviators Professional Baseball - Home Games at Aviators Stadium

The Rockford Aviators are a member of the Frontier League of Professional Baseball, the longest operating independent professional baseball league in the country. Home games are played at Aviators Stadium. Visit the website for the roster and promotions.

CITY: Loves Park

"Treasure!" Traveling Exhibition - Discovery Center Museum & Burpee Museum

Explore the history and the hunting of treasure in our newest immersive exhibition. Delve into the technology employed by treasure hunters and focus on the people and personalities lured by the promise of prosperity. Be enticed by shipwreck and treasure site artifacts, and learn to use the tools you'd need to find a fortune. Treasure! is a joint adventure with the Burpee Museum of Natural History, and can be uncovered in the Woodward Exhibit Hall.

CITY: Rockford

Luminary Night On Stephenson and Lincoln Streets

Enjoy the beauty of the soft light of luminaries and the architecture of these historic homes as you stroll this lovely residential neighborhood. Also, enjoy hot cocoa and cookies. Stephenson Street and Lincoln Boulevard from West Street to Park Boulevard.

CITY: Freeport

Stephenson County Ag Breakfast

A farm breakfast showcasing Stephenson County agriculture producers with a menu of orange juice, coffee cake, scrambled eggs, whole hog sausage, beef bacon, cheese, milk, coffee and ice cream. Additional activities include entertainment, a petting zoo, craft show, games and more as we salute and share the story of Stephenson County agriculture. Adults: $4; Children 5 and under: Free

CITY: Freeport

Stephenson County Barn Tour

Spend a leisurely fall afternoon in the country exploring five of Stephenson County's unique barns and learn the stories behind their distinctive charm.

CITY: Freeport

Festa Italiana

Festa Italiana is the second largest festival in Rockford. For one very special weekend each year, everyone who passes through the gates is an "Honorary Italian." Bring your family for great Italian food and pastries, continuous entertainment, Italian cultural exhibit, souvenirs, Bocce tournaments, carnival rides, children's crafts and much more. The festival is held on the grounds at Boylan High School.

CITY: Rockford

Boone County Fair

Come to one of the finest fairs in the state, where you'll enjoy animal shows, antique tractors, tractor pulls, entertainment, a carnival, food and much more.

CITY: Belvidere

Jewelry, Gem, Fossil and Mineral Show

Midwest dealers will showcase a variety of beautiful gemstones, minerals, fossils, jewelry, beads and gifts for holiday shopping. In addition, there will be lapidary demonstrations, a fun-filled children's fish pond and games, speakers and displays.

CITY: Freeport

Say Cheese Tour

Enjoy a leisurely drive through the rolling hills of Stephenson County and stop at local cheese stores, cheese plants and a winery. Participants include the Cheese Market, Freeport; Miller's Country Cheese, Inc. and Wengers Springbrook Cheese in Davis; Torkelson Cheese Co. in Lena and Famous Fossil Winery in Cedarville. Visit all five locations for a chance to win some great prizes (drawing will be held at 4 pm at Famous Fossil). Stop in at the Freeport/Stephenson County Visitors Center for your map.

CITY: Freeport

Polo Town and Country Days

This family friendly event runs four fun-filled days. Highlights include: fireworks display on Thursday evening, carnival rides all weekend; kids activities, mainstage musical entertainment, chainsaw carving, crafts & collectibles show, kids water fights, food stands, hot air balloon rides, huge parade Sunday at noon and much more!

CITY: Polo

Petunia City Quilters Fall Show

The Petunia City Quilters will be displaying their quilts during "Quiltapalooza" at the Northside Baptist Church in Dixon. This event will also feature vendors, raffle baskets, appraisals, bake sale, raffle quilt, handcrafted items and a Pink Breast Cancer Challenge by members.

CITY: Dixon

Malta Days!

Malta Days Festival! Come share the family fun! June 7th,8th, & 9th in downtown Malta, Illinois. You'll find something for everyone, including a carnival, food booths, crafters, business booths, sound stage, pancake breakfast, a car ahow, 5K walk/run, auction and a beer garden. Free stage entertainment all weekend!

CITY: Malta