‘We gotta go all out’: Festival of Lights in Rockford gets bigger for 2021

Posted: November 4, 2021 @ 5:55 am

By Steve Summers and Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Work is underway to bring a holiday tradition back to Sinnissippi Park, where thousands of cars tour through a drive illuminated by decorative lights.

The annual Festival of Lights is scheduled to debut on Friday, Nov. 26 — the day after Thanksgiving — and runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through New Year's Eve. There are extended hours closer to Christmas.

There will be about 85 displays this year, including about 10 fully lit character displays that stand roughly 15-feet tall.

"There's a lot of new stuff that's going to be out there this year. We have to keep trying to make it bigger every year," Ted O'Donnell, co-chairman of the festival, told Steve Summers on This Week in the Stateline. "We gotta go all out."

Related: 'Event classics will be back': Stroll on State returns to Rockford

O'Donnell, along with co-chairman and cousin Tom Luepkes and a small team of volunteers, puts together the annual lights display.

"It is very gratifying to see the cars come through, finally, when you click the lights on and see the faces pressed against the window," O'Donnell said. "It makes us feel like, yes, all these hours away from our families on top of working our regular job, it's worth it. It's absolutely worth it."

Last year, with the coronavirus pandemic shutting down many other festivities, approximately 104,000 people went through the display. O'Donnell said about 90,000 are expected this year.

The Festival of Lights debuts the day before Stroll on State, a one-day holiday tradition in the city, and the two events can compliment each other.

"People after Stroll, if they want, on their way out of downtown they can swing by the park, wave to us, we'll be out there working it," O'Donnell said.

The festival is free to go through. It's funded by donations and sponsorship.

Festival of Lights viewing schedule

5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Nov. 26-28

5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 2-5

5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 9-12

5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 16-19

5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 20-23

24 hours on Christmas Eve

24 hours on Christmas Day

5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Dec. 26

5 p.m. to midnight on New Year's Eve (last showing)

New Years Eve 5pm – 12am (last showing)

Santa Claus schedule

6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 26-28; Dec. 3-5; Dec. 10-12; Dec. 17-19

Listen to the full interview below. The full episode of This Week in the Stateline airs on Saturday on 95.3 The Bull, a partner of the Rock River Current.

Rock River Current Podcasts

'We gotta go all out': Festival of Lights in Rockford gets bigger for 2021

It's an annual holiday tradition - the Teddy Bear Toss at a Rockford IceHogs hockey game. Then again, nothing is traditional about 2020. This year, you'll drive your car through the BMO Harris Bank Center to toss your teddy - or make a clothing donation. IceHogs Director of Business Operations Mike Peck shares information on the event this Saturday (12/19) from 9am - noon. All donated items will be shared with Miss Carly's in Rockford.

Runtime: 5 minutes

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[caption id="attachment_176912" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] The Poplar Grove Aviation Education Association and the Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum are taking applications for their annual scholarship program. (Photo via Canva)[/caption]

By Steve Summers and Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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POPLAR GROVE — Students who want to pursue careers in aviation or automotive industries can now apply for scholarships up to $2,500.

Judi Zangs, executive director of the Poplar Grove Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum, joined Steve Summers on This Week in the Stateline to talk about the annual scholarship program.

The program is a partnership between the Poplar Grove Aviation Education Association and the Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum. Last year, seven scholarships totaling $11,000 were distributed.

"We've had recipients that have gone on to careers in the maintenance field with major airlines, we've got some that are airline pilots today," Zangs said.

Related: Collins Aerospace in Rockford to upgrade B-52 bomber's electric power generation system

Applications must be received by March 31, and the awards will be announced in April with an award ceremony held June 12.

This year, the organizations hope to give out five to 10 scholarships of $1,500 to $2,500.

To apply for the scholarship, go here.

Listen to the full interview below.

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[caption id="attachment_177656" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Hononegah Forest Preserve is the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County's oldest preseve and one of its most popular. This year the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County celebrates 100 years. (Photo by Samantha Crooks/Forest Preserves of Winnebago County)[/caption]

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County.

Samantha Crooks, communications coordinator for the Forest Preserves, joins Steve Summers on This Week in the Stateline to talk about some of the ways the organization will celebrate its first century. (Listen to the full interview at the bottom of this article.)

She has challenged people to explore all 44 of the forest preserves this year in honor of the 100th anniversary.

The Forest Preserves of Winnebago County were created by a public vote in November 1922. It was the third forest preserve to be created in the state. The preserves now encompasses 11,500 acres of woods, wetlands, rivers, prairies and ponds in Winnebago County.

"We hear a lot of people just thanking us for what we do and they're very thankful to have a place to go to to just unwind and kind of get away from work stress," Crooks said.

[caption id="attachment_177657" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Samantha Crooks is communications coordinator for the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County. (Photo provided by Forest Preserves of Winnebago County)[/caption]

Listen to the full interview below:

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