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Bringing
it Home
Rockford’s
downtown River District has become an entertainment delight. Formed
as the East State Midway Association in 1977, the River District has
evolved over the past few years into an organization that focuses strictly
on development in downtown Rockford, expanding its geographic boundaries
to include both the east and west sides of the river. Its mission, according
to Executive Director Kim Wheeler, is “to create a growing, thriving,
prosperous downtown community.”
“With the renewed interest in downtowns across America and cities
throughout the nation experiencing population shifts back to central
cities and growth in the urban marketplace, River District is in an
explosive position,” Wheeler said. “And recent development
of ultra-modern loft apartments in several downtown buildings offer
contemporary city living not available before.”
The vision of the River District is the direct focus of the hundreds
of volunteers who flock to assist the various organizations with projects,
festivals, and cultural activities throughout the year. The Cultural
Corridor Coalition consists of a group of individuals who have worked
for the past year to identify long-range goals for the three-mile area
within the River District known as the Cultural Corridor. The Corridor
is anchored by the Burpee Natural History Museum on one end and the
fabulous Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden on the other. In between
rests an eclectic mix of restaurants, from hot dog stands to elegant
dining, and lots of theaters and museums.
John Groh of the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau says Rockford’s
downtown revitalization is bringing passionate people together to fill
the needs of the area and to protect and promote Rockford’s ethnic
roots. Groh says, “We have a passion for Rockford, to make it a
better place to live, work, play, and visit.”
The restored Coronado Theatre is an attraction on its own, but it showcases
a variety of entertaining features from
the magic of world-renowned magicians to the superb artistry of the
Rockford Symphony Orchestra. The 10,000-seat MetroCentre hosts sporting
events, such as the Rockford Ice Hogs hockey games and the Rockford
Lightning basketball games, as well as concerts, trade shows, and other
civic and cultural events. Beckoning tourists are museums such as the
Burpee Museum of National History, which promotes the natural heritage
of the Rock River Valley region. The Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum, a
unique attraction listed on the National Register of Historic Places,
depicts the local impact of Robert H. Tinker as well as his personal
vision of his nine-month world tour.
There’s also the Discovery Center Museum in Riverfront Museum Park
and the Rockford Art Museum, which contains one of the largest gallery
spaces in Illinois. Add to this dozens of restaurants and numerous other
attractions and you have Rockford, a lovely river city at the top of
Illinois.
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