Online Staff Report

Time is running out to catch all the excitement at the Rockford City Market as the final two markets of the season are fast approaching.

Rockford City Market continues to draw crowds, with more than 37,500 people visiting the market already this year. The market runs 3-7 p.m. every Friday through Oct. 21 along Water Street between State and Jefferson streets in downtown Rockford.

A beer tasting this Friday, Oct. 14, lets you sample the following six brews for $5:

1. Shiner Bock Oktoberfest is sweet and fruity, with light caramel hints.

2. A light-bodied and refreshing ale made with traditional brewing ingredients describes the mild flavor profile of Good Old Potosi.

3. Beck’s Oktoberfest is malty sweet with hints of apple and roasted nuts.

4. Brewed in honor of the Harvest Season, this copper colored ESB is made with Cascade hops and has a fruity hop aroma and toasty malt character that makes Goose Island Harvest Ale a delicious beer.

5. Potosi Cave Ale is a pure malt and hop ale and is considered a medium-bodied beer.

6. Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat is brewed with ripe pumpkins, nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves, and is sure to please the taste buds.

With only two markets left, do not miss your chance to lounge and enjoy the rich emotion and telling melodies of Starlite Radio. The Rockford natives will sample their unique blend of folk, roots-rock and pop with a bright performance that includes strong vocals and creative instrumentation.

Fall into Fall Family Fun with the Rockford Park District. Atwood Environmental Center program staff will provide storytelling and other seasonal activities.

Be sure to check out the Rockford City Market website at www.rockfordcitymarket.com ^[1] for a complete calendar of events and entertainment.

Rockford City Market wins prestigious award

Rockford City Market won the Gold Pinnacle Award for the Best New Event from the International Festival and Event Association.

The Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards are the most prestigious awards in the festival and events industry.

Collaborating partner On the Waterfront nominated the market in the Best New Event category for events with budgets under $250,000. The award was announced Oct. 3, during the Pinnacle Awards Ceremony at the IFEA’s 56th Annual Convention & Expo at The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas.

Peter Provenzano, chairman of the Rock River Development Partnership, said: “Rockford City Market is honored to receive such a significant award. Several different organizations have worked together to ensure this market is a success, both as a market and as tool to help strengthen current downtown businesses and create an incubator for new businesses,”

Last year, Rockford City Market celebrated a successful first year, drawing approximately 19,000 people into the heart of the community over the course of the season. This year, the event has already brought nearly 40,000 people to downtown Rockford.

Rockford City Market is a collaborative effort of several agencies, including the Rock River Development Partnership, On the Waterfront, Inc., Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, the River District Association, the City of Rockford, the Rockford Area Economic Development Council and the Illinois Small Business Development Center.