The River District Association (RDA) announces the first “Love the Blocks” to downtown Rockford. Launched through Rockford Community Partners, Love the Blocks follows along in similar style to the popular Shop the Blocks and Spook the Blocks by inviting people to enjoy a day of shopping, dining, gallery hopping, and entertainment in downtown Rockford.

On Saturday, February 11 between 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. shoppers are invited from near and far to Love the Blocks and shower their sweetheart with special gifts from local retailers, dining in one-of-a-king restaurants, gallery hopping and entertainment. Downtown partners are rolling out the ‘red carpet’ during this free event for the community.

“Our business partners have come together again in collaborative manner to offer incentives to activate our blocks in downtown Rockford,” said Leah Tuneberg, Executive Director. “It’s reassuring that when you collaborate on an event and see excitement in their ideas that we are all in this together. We are working diligently to create reasons to bring people downtown, to experience all that we know it has. We are all vested in its future.”

Click HERE for a map of downtown Rockford.

*317 Studio and Gallery - $2 off any size canvas in Open Studio, will stay open until 6pm - last painters in Open Studio seated at 4:30pm (12noon-6pm)

*510 Threads - For every $50 spent receive a $10 gift certificate

*Arch Apothecary - Two specials: 1) $75 for a gift box from Arch Apothecary($55 value) & a medium floral bouquet from London Avenue($45 value) Total savings=$25; 2) $125 total for a gift box from Arch Apothecary($85 value) & a large floral bouquet from London Avenue($70 value) Total savings=$35 (9am-4pm)

*Bath and Body Fusion - 20% Off Entire Purchase + FREE GIFT WRAP

*Bee's Knees General Store - Early Valentine's Day special - a full rack of ladies lingerie at half price. Also, half price on winter coats. (10am-6pm)

*Bella Luna Bakery (9am-12noon)

*Blue Line Sports Pub

*Carlyle Brewing Co. - Heart shaped pizzas, pints beginning at $4.25. (12noon-midnight)

*CD Source - Buy One, Your Honey Gets One Free, on CD's or DVD's (10am-6pm)

* CJ's Public House- CJ's will be hosting Soap City USA/Plain Jane Candles. Homemade soap, bath bombs, bath soaks, milk baths, candles, wax melts. We are making custom made VD baskets at your price point (11am-5pm)

*Deli Italia/Trinacria lounge - For every $50.00 spent (doesn't include tax and tip) receive a $10 certificate off your next visit; $5 chocolate martini's. (11am-10pm)

*Ground Floor Skateboards - 15% off Love Child Inc. Distribution Skateboards and Soft Goods: Politic, The Killing Floor, Northern Co, Scumco and Sons (12-8pm)

*J.R. Kortman Center for Design (10am-6pm)

*London Avenue Designs - 20% off gifts sale & will be running some Valentines day floral specials as well (10am-6pm)

*Lucette Salon & Day Spa - Spend $100 or more in services, gift cards OR products, and take home an Aveda Love Body Composition Oil for only $10 (reg. $30), while supplies last! (9am-6pm)

*Magpie - Special Valentine Menu: Red Velvet Pancakes, Chocolate Strawberry Stuffed French Toast, Cheesecake, Valentine Cookies (6:30am-3pm)

*Minglewood - buy one, get one half off (11am-5pm)

*Namaste Studios - Heart Centered Yoga, 3-4pm, Fee = $7 Registration is required at https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=11566

*Rockford Art Deli -Free print day

*Rocktown Adventures - Spend $100 in the store that day and receive a free kayak or SUP rental. Current sale has most apparel is at 40-50% off.

*Sienna's Kitchen Gourmet Shop and Eatery - Full menu available. 50% off select merchandise, free hot chocolate and cookies. (11am-3pm)

*Subway (W. State & Wyman) - Free cookie with any purchase. (10am-4pm)

*Tique Furnishings (10am-4pm)

*Vintage 501

*Wired Cafe - Heart shape cookies and strawberry mochas. (8am-2pm)

*Woodfire Brick Oven Pizza - complimentary zeppole with a wine bottle purchase of $30 or more. This offer does not include lunch/dinner ticket.

*Yolo's Sweets - Delicious chocolate dipped strawberries and chocolate covered bacon, as well as a special carry out desert for 2. (10am-4pm)

Watch the video below for a taste of downtown Rockford's vibrancy.