25 Moments in Rockford in '25

Rockford in 2025: Key Wins, Milestones, and Momentum

Last year was a big one for Rockford, not just because of the headlines. From hosting major sporting events to breaking ground on transformative projects like Davis Park and Beyer Stadium renovations, the future is full of promise. Through strong partnerships and a shared commitment to destination stewardship, GoRockford helped drive visitation, economic impact, and community pride across the region, strengthening both our visitor economy and quality of life for residents. 

Here are 25 highlights that shaped Rockford in 2025.

1. Rockford Achieved Major Wins and Milestones in 2025
   
   Photo Credit: Kevin Haas/Rock River Current

   June 22 marked the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Rockford, Illinois, with 2,700 athletes registered and thousands of spectators lining the course to experience the first IRONMAN event ever held in Illinois. Athletes traveled from 45 countries and 45 U.S. states. More than 1,500 volunteers played a role in the event’s success, from serving as hotel ambassadors welcoming athletes to staffing aid stations along the route.

   This marked the first year of a three-year partnership with IRONMAN, generating an estimated $7+ million in economic impact in 2025 and filling area hotels to 98 percent occupancy. IRONMAN 70.3 Rockford returns on June 14.
    

2. GoRockford Earned Sports Tourism Organization of the Year Honors
   GoRockford was honored as the 2025 Sports Tourism Organization of the Year by the Sports Events and Tourism Association on April 23 at the Sports ETA Symposium in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Chosen from more than 80 national entries, GoRockford earned the award for its significant impact in attracting and hosting sporting events that drive economic growth, increase visitation, and strengthen Rockford’s reputation as a competitive sports destination.
    

3. CRE8IV Expanded Public Art and Gave the ROCKFORD Letters a New Home
   Neither Toil Nor Spin by Ben Pierce 
   
   The CRE8IV biannual sculpture program, made possible through an arts grant from the City of Rockford, brought 18 new sculpture installations to the community in 2025. With 33 total CRE8IV sculptures now across the city, the program continues to bring art, color, and creativity to new neighborhoods and public spaces.

   The iconic ROCKFORD letters were repaired and relocated along the Rock River near the Rockford Public Library, creating a new riverfront landmark for residents and visitors.
    

4. Beyer Stadium Broke Ground on the Next Chapter of Women’s Baseball Maybelle Blair speaks at the Maybelle Blair Park groundbreaking at Beyer Stadium
   
   In September, the International Women’s Baseball Center broke ground at Beyer Stadium, launching the next chapter of baseball history in Rockford. The site will become home to the IWBC and Maybelle Blair Park and will feature a Women’s Baseball Gallery, new bleachers, and a new press box.
   
   When completed, the center will preserve the legacy of women’s baseball while drawing athletes and visitors from around the world, strengthening Rockford’s role in sports, history, and destination storytelling.
    

5. Rockford Secured Hosting Rights for the 2026 Women’s Baseball World Cup
   In August, the World Baseball Softball Confederation awarded hosting rights for the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage 2026 to the IWBC and Rockford. Scheduled for July 22 to 27, 2026, the event will mark the first time the Women’s Baseball World Cup is held in Illinois and only the second time in the United States.
    

6. Rockford Landed the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic
   January kicked off the year with a major announcement from BMO Center and GoRockford—Rockford will host the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic at the BMO Center on February 10–11, 2026, marking the first time the Midwest has hosted the event since 2004. This marquee event will bring in AHL’s brightest stars to Rockford for an unforgettable experience. The prestigious event is set to bring 600 room nights and an estimated economic impact of $150,000. 
    

7. Midway Village Opened a Permanent Camp Grant Exhibit
   In February, Midway Village Museum opened a new permanent exhibit telling the story of Camp Grant’s legacy in Rockford. Established in 1917 after local leaders successfully advocated for an Army Infantry Training Camp, Camp Grant trained tens of thousands of soldiers during World War I and expanded dramatically during World War II, when more than 300,000 troops passed through its gates.
    

8. Stroll on State Continued as a Beloved Holiday Tradition
   Despite a record amount of snow, this year’s Stroll on State drew residents downtown for hot chocolate, visits with Santa, and the lighting of the City of Rockford Christmas tree. Thanks to partners, sponsors, and volunteers, the event once again kicked off the holiday season as a cherished community tradition.
    

9. New Businesses Opened Across the Region
   Several new restaurants and retail locations opened in the region in 2025, contributing to economic vitality and neighborhood growth. New dining destinations included Lino’s Mercato, Harvey Wallbanger’s, Sassy Mac Boys, The Sandwich Spot, Riverside Family Restaurant, Halal Chicken Buck Buck, Sticky Rice Bites, Olivo Deli Market, A.M. Brunch Social, Super Bowl Mongolian Grill, Almoka Coffee House, Wicked Sweets by Kate, Sebastian’s Cafe, JC’s BBQ and More, 815 Kitchen, El Ranchito, Cooper’s Corner, and JC BBQ and More.

   New retail openings included The Scrap Jar, Laced Up 815, A Skein Away, The Picking Chicks, Spin City Wear, Kith and Kin Collective, Party Like a Rockstar Balloon Bar, Time After Time Resale and Consignment Shoppe, and Game Star Arcade, which opened in Durand.
    

10. Hospitality Heroes Were Celebrated During National Travel and Tourism Week
    Elvis Bilich of Hard Rock Casino Rockford receives his 2025 Hospitality Hero Award. 
    
    National Travel and Tourism Week returned May 4 to 10, celebrating travel’s role in driving economic growth and supporting community vitality. GoRockford marked the occasion by recognizing six peer-nominated Hospitality Hero Award recipients for their outstanding service:
    Warren Franklin, Anderson Japanese Gardens 
    Samantha Hochmann, Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum 
    Ryan Woodrow, Rockford IceHogs 
    Kim Vertiz, Elora Home Interiors (now Loom)
    Willion Henderson, Embassy Suites 
    Elvis Bilich, Hard Rock Casino Rockford 

11. Rockford Took the Spotlight with a NASCAR Partnership
    On April 19, Rockford captured national attention as more than one million NASCAR fans tuned in to the Xfinity Series North Carolina Education Lottery 250 at Rockingham Speedway. Wisconsin native Josh Bilicki drove a Rockford-branded car featuring the GoRockford logo, Rockmen Guardians, Rockford Peaches emblem, the Symbol sculpture, and a Sock Monkey.

    The car was sponsored by Dan Block, owner of Rockford-based Insurance King, who has partnered with Bilicki since 2019. The 32,000-seat stadium sold out, and the race aired live nationwide on the CW Network.
     

12. Clarence Hicks Sports Complex Opened in Southwest Rockford
    Photo Credit:  Rockford Park District 
    
    The Rockford Park District opened the expanded Clarence Hicks Sports Complex, a 77-acre, state-of-the-art facility featuring turf fields, an eight-lane running track, and seating for 1,000 fans. The complex honors Clarence Hicks, who dedicated 42 years to creating more than 100 community recreation programs. The first official tournament held at the complex was the Chicago Bears NFL FLAG Regional Tournament in October.
     

13. Made for Rockford Launched the Make It Make Sense Campaign
    Made for Rockford rolled out a digital marketing campaign from March through June focused on the rising cost of living nationwide and the benefits of a lower-cost, higher-quality life in Rockford. The campaign generated 10 million impressions and 120,000 clicks to the Made for Rockford website.
     

14. Forest City Beautiful Continued to Enhance Public Spaces
    Through the Forest City Beautiful initiative, GoRockford continued its long-term work to enhance public spaces and elevate Rockford’s visual appeal. Launched in 2014, the initiative is a collaborative effort with city agencies, community organizations, and sponsors that supports destination stewardship and resident pride.
     

15. GoRockford Invested in Future Talent Through Internships
    GoRockford offered summer internships to three interns over the summer. Our interns worked hard, set up the Beats & Bites Thursday lunch, helped with IRONMAN 70.3 Rockford preparations, including community outreach, and worked the GoRockford booth during the event. They also assisted with marketing content, including social media and writing blogs, Stroll on State preparations, and completed their final research project on their ideas for the future of our community.

16. Rockford Restaurant Week Reached Record Participation and Impact
    The fifth year of Rockford Restaurant Week featured a record 65 participating businesses over an eleven-day celebration in January and early February. A new format encouraged restaurants to offer fixed-price menus or bundled meal deals, driving record engagement.

    According to a post-event survey, most restaurants experienced sales increases averaging just over 20 percent, with several reporting gains of more than 35 percent. Website traffic for Rockford Restaurant Week information reached 89,815 views in 2025, up from 19,440 views in 2024. Social media engagement surpassed one million views, more than doubling the prior year.

    Seven winners across five categories were selected by community vote:
    Best Experience: Plume
    Best Main Course: 27 Aluna and Lucha Cantina 
    Best Dessert: Hidden Creek Estates 
    Best Deal: 8th Ward Pub and Sticky Rice Bites 
    Best Cocktail or Brew: Abreo
     

17. Rockford 815 Day Brought the Community Together Downtown
    Rockford 815 Day saw record participation with 20 events and 126 deals across the community. The celebration kicked off with a proclamation from Mayor Tom McNamara at the Rockford Public Library and concluded with the Beats and Bites block party downtown.
     

18. Davis Park Took a Major Step Toward Riverfront Revitalization
    The October groundbreaking marked the start of a new chapter for Davis Park and Rockford’s riverfront. The park is being reimagined as a daily gathering place and a regional destination that serves both residents and visitors. A revitalized Davis Park will support concerts, festivals, and community events while encouraging visitors to extend their stay and explore downtown.
     

19. Restaurant Relief Grants Continued to Support Local Businesses
    GoRockford administered a third round of Restaurant Relief Grants to assist restaurants, bars, and coffee shops still impacted by high unemployment taxes following the pandemic. A total of 51 local businesses received $189,871.52 in support, with funding secured with help from State Representative Maurice West. Since launch, the program has distributed $855,158.06 across three rounds.
     

20. GoRockford Strengthened Its Team and Leadership Capacity
    Kristen Paul earned the Certified Destination Management Executive designation from Destinations International, the highest professional certification in the field. Additional staff promotions and hires reflected continued investment in talent development and organizational strength.
     

21. Landline Service Connected Rockford to Global Travel Networks
    Chicago Rockford International Airport launched American Airlines Landline service, allowing travelers to check bags and clear TSA at RFD before boarding a premium motorcoach to and from O’Hare. The service provides access to more than 150 global destinations and simplifies travel for residents and visitors.
     

22. A National PR Partnership Elevated Rockford’s Story
    GoRockford and the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce retained Development Counsellors International to support national storytelling efforts. Coverage included NBC Nightly News highlighting Stroll on State’s Letters to Santa program and a visit from Matador Network in November.
     

23. Beats and Bites Continued to Drive Downtown Visitation
    For the second year, GoRockford partnered with the River District Association on a nine-week Thursday lunch series featuring rotating food trucks, music, games, and weekly themes, encouraging weekday visitation and downtown vibrancy.
     

24. Tourism Continued to Drive Economic Impact Across the Region
    Tourism remained a powerful economic driver, with visitor spending reaching $523.4 million in 2024, up from $515.4 million in 2023. In Winnebago County, tourism supported 4,687 jobs, generated $167.8 million in resident income, and produced $14.7 million in local taxes.
     

25. Travel Writers and Influencers Expanded Rockford’s Reach
    GoRockford used travel writers and influencers as a strategic brand-management tool to build awareness and credibility. Highlights included Mapping Our Tracks with 730,000 views, Sassy Confetti with more than 39,000 views, and international media exposure through IPW Chicago 2025.
     

Looking Ahead to Continued Momentum in 2026

Looking ahead, Rockford is poised for continued growth with the AHL All-Star Classic, the return of IRONMAN 70.3 Rockford, the Women’s Baseball World Cup, America 250 events, and the opening of Davis Park.