Get ready for music and fun along the banks of the Rock River. No, we aren't talking about On The Waterfront this time. In fact, this one comes along a lot sooner and is located a bit North of Rockford in Beloit, Wisconsin. Of course it can be none other than Beloit Riverfest. It's that time of year again, and 2005's edition of the annual festival occurs July 14th through the 17th, and as always will be packed with plenty of family fun, good food, music and much more.

The 11th annual Byron Fest will be happening July 8-10, and if you haven't made it down to one, perhaps this is the year to start. If you have gone before, then you know all about the fun in-store. If you are used to events like On The Waterfront, this might be a little different, but definitely in a nice way. They manage to incorporate much of the fun of the larger festivals while still maintaining a small town feel.

Rockford will be one of approximately 44 cities in the US who will host The Great Race, presented by the National Guard.  Last seen in Rockford in 1994, the Great Race is a "uniquely American event", according to Wayne Stansfield, Chief Operating Officer for Rally Partners, Inc., the owners of the event.  "It brings the spirit of adventure and independence to life every summer."

Having played to ecstatic audiences in some of the finest music venues in Madison, WI, StoneFloat, the originators of rock and fire flowpoetry in which spoken word is woven between, into and around original rock songs, make their second appearance at Minglewood  Coffehouse  located at 317 W. Jefferson St. in Rockford, IL June 24, 2005 at 8:30 pm.

Bassist Charles Mack belongs on a big stage. Best known as Grammy Award Winner James Cotton's bass player, Mack has a healthy roster of achievements of his own, including the release of his first solo effort Next Generation Blues.

"Mommy's alright, daddy's alright, they just seem a little weird", the familiar strains of "Surrender" and other Cheap Trick classics will fill the downtown air on Friday, September 2nd. Those with a calendar and/or Waterfront schedule in front of them may be saying, "wait, Cheap Trick is playing Thursday the 1st." They would be right. The Trick sound on Friday will be provided by Cheap Chick, the only all female Cheap Trick tribute band.

Rockford's pickin' guitar blues masters Steve Ditzell and

Bob Levis opened for Ann Rabson at the Mendelssohn Club on April 20th with a special half-hour performance.