Staff Report

ROCKFORD – The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau will bring live music and workout experiences to Rockford’s Davis Park in July and August with a new event series called “Summer at Davis Park.”

In total, six Workout Wednesdays and five Music at Davis Park concerts will take place during July and August. Each event is free and open to the public.

Last summer, Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara appointed a task force to increase utilization of the park and advance its redevelopment. In concert with the task force, the City of Rockford, which owns the park, partnered with Rockford Sharefest to refurbish the facility.

The larger vision for Davis Park will unfold and become a reality over the next few years.

“However, we don’t want to wait to bring the park back to life,” said RACVB President and CEO John Groh, who chairs the task force, said. “The improvements made by Rockford Sharefest and the City of Rockford helped prepare the park for company, so to speak. And, now we’re ready for our residents and visitors to come back to Davis.”

Music at Davis Park events represent a variety of music genres and feature live bands, performers, food and beverage trucks and vendors. Concerts will take place every Thursday in August are 5-9 p.m. Concerts will take place on the north lawn of Davis Park.

Workout Wednesdays are from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Workout instruction will take place on the north lawn of Davis Park. The workouts are free and will feature high-energy music and exercise led by fitness instructors from the YMCA of Rock River Valley and a free Kid Zone for kids ages 5-12, with activities led by the Rockford Park District’s Youth Sports Department.

“I want to thank the RACVB not only for working tirelessly to attract visitors but also for its work to make Rockford a place for residents to proudly work, live and play,” the mayor said. “This new event series will activate a long-underutilized community asset and will encourage residents to explore Davis Park and enjoy the beauty of the Rock River,” said McNamara.

Workout Wednesday Schedule

• July 24 – Summer at Davis Park Kickoff Event, Les Mills BodyAttack with Jenna and Urban Line Dancing with Beverly 
• July 31 – Les Mills BodyCombat with Jenna and Joy
• August 7 – Urban Line Dance with Tina
• August 14 – Les Mills Grit with Marcus and Joy
• August 21 – Les Mills Combat with Marcus and Joy
• August 28 – Urban Line Dance with Beverly

Music at Davis Park Schedule

• August 1 – Joe Stamm Band
• August 8 – Kelly Steward & The Restless Kind
• August 15 – Los Arenales and DJ Cachorro
• August 22 – Dingo and August Hotel
• August 29 – Too Deep & So Wavy

The first 150 participants who arrive for the kickoff event will have a chance to receive a free water bottle. Food4Fuel will be on hand giving out healthy snacks while participants can stay cool with the Pepsi Hydration Station and water misters in the park.