What's happening in far northern Illinois: Friday, Mar 1 - Friday, Mar 8

This week: massive shopping experiences, live musicians and comedians, three blood drives, faith & family story time, Spanish conversation, buy a mattress fundraiser, village board meetings, senior music and dancing, food pantries, replenish nature, and learn to start a business.

20 events this week on our calendar: Friday, Mar 1 - Friday, Mar 8, 2024

That may be a record. Subscribe to our newsletter  to stay up to date on local events and things to do. Technical problems caused us to miss sending our newsletter for a couple of days. Sign up for our new mailing list (still daily, still free) and that won't happen to you again.

Vintage Shop Hop - Fri Mar 1 10:00 am

Various Locations

The Vintage Shop Hop is a self-guided day of vintage & boutique shopping held twice a year -  400+ vintage & antique shops, including 11 in Rockton, South Beloit, and Roscoe, along with barn sales, women's boutiques & home decor shops in northern Illinois and much of Wisconsin will roll out the red carpet for you. You just have to grab your friends, hit the road, and shop hard! [more details]

Live: Kristin Toon - Fri Mar 1 10:00 am

Best of Beloit Vintage Mall

Singer/songwriter Kristin Toon will be performing live at Best of Beloit, which is in South Beloit. Kristin Toon from South Beloit has been singing since a very young age but taught herself how to play guitar at 17. Her influences include Alan Jackson, Patty Loveless, Martina Mcbride, U2 and more.  [more details]

Music: Carson Hall at After the Vine - Fri Mar 1 6:00 pm

After the Vine

6 - 9 p.m. Free. Carson Hall is an indie songwriter based out of Machesney Park. His songs include "A Million Miles Away" and "Time Machine." [more details]

Battle of the Badge - South Beloit Blood Drive - Sat Mar 2 8:00 am

South Beloit Fire Station

8 a.m.- 2 p.m. Three blood drives in the Stateline! Police and firefighters in Rockton, South Beloit, and Roscoe are having a friendly contest over who can get more blood donations. Everyone is invited. Sign up to give blood at your favorite fire station: South Beloit (Saturday), Rockton or Roscoe (Tuesday). [more details]

Mini Sessions by Rae Photography - Sat Mar 2 10:00 am

Gazebo, Settlers Park

For $150, you get a 20 minute session- 15 professionally edited digital images sent through online gallery. A 20-minute, no-rush photo session, carefully curated to still be unique and gives us artistic ability while also being more affordable for those of you who really don’t want 45+ images. [more details]

Faith and Family Story Time - Sat Mar 2 10:30 am

Talcott Free Library

Registration begins at 10:15. Story time runs 10:30 - 11 a.m., then coloring and other activities. [more details]

Paul Hieser at Best of Beloit Vintage Mall - Sat Mar 2 12:30 pm

Best of Beloit Vintage Mall

The Vintage Shop Hop trail hits The Best of Beloit Vintage Mall! Stop by and listen to classic oldies from award winning artist,  Paul Hieser, while you shop this classic mall in South Beloit. Kristin Toon will play from 10-12, Paul from 12:30 to 2:30. [more details]

Live: That Gurl at Louie's Tap House - Sat Mar 2 7:00 pm

Louie's Tap House

7 -10 p.m. That Gurl is bringing back your favorite 70s classics to make you want to stand up, get down, and take you right back to the musical mood of the 1970s - the dawn of disco and the emergence of soft, glam & progressive rock - the good old days. Renée Scrivano is the lead singer and manager. [more details]

Spanish Conversation Club - Sun Mar 3 4:00 pm

Roscoe Township Community Center

Are you learning Spanish as an adult or want to freshen up your Spanish-speaking skills from years past? Join Spanish Conversation Club on Sunday afternoon! Enrich your travels as well as daily interactions and challenge your brain with Spanish conversation! Spanish conversation club is a place to have fun and gain confidence in speaking with the goal of progress over perfection. We will practice greeting each other and introducing ourselves in Spanish and then read a short story geared towards beginners. [more details]

6th Annual Mattress Fundraiser at Hononegah Metal Gym - Sun Mar 3 10:00 am

Hononegah Community High School

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Every purchase benefits Hononegah boys track and the band. Big savings, financing available. All sizes available, 25+ styles on display. Full factory warranties. All forms of payment accepted. Delivery available. [more details]

Battle of the Badge - Roscoe & Rockton Blood Drive - Tue Mar 5 12:00 pm

Rockton & Roscoe Fire Stations

12 - 6 p.m. Police and firefighters in Rockton, South Beloit, and Roscoe are having a friendly contest over who can get more blood donations. Everyone is invited: either whole blood or double red (two units). Sign up to give blood at your favorite fire station:  South Beloit on Saturday, Rockton or Roscoe on Tuesday. [more details]

South Beloit City Council Meeting - Mon Mar 4 5:00 pm

South Beloit City Hall

The regular City Council meeting will begin at 5 p.m. at City Hall, 519 Blackhawk Blvd., South Beloit, IL. All meetings are held in the City Council Chambers. The public is welcome to attend. [more details]

50 North, Senior Activity Event - Tue Mar 5 1:00 pm

American Legion Post

Come join us as we listen to the music of Rick Marchione!  Lots of hit songs from past eras so come relax or bring your dancing shoes! We are meeting at the American Legion Post 211 W Main St Rockton. Come sing, clap or just sway to the music with us! Bring a friend! Refreshments will be served! [more details]

Village of Roscoe Public Hearing and Board Meeting - Tue Mar 5 6:15 pm

Village of Roscoe

This evening begins with a public hearing on the 2024 Appropriation Ordinance, to decide how tax money will be spent, followed by the  semi-monthly meeting of the Village of Roscoe Board of Trustees. After the regular board meeting, the trustees reconvene as the Committee of the Whole to talk over future plans and ideas. Citizens are invited to give public comments to the board at the beginning and end of each meeting. Please attend in person, or join virtually. [more details]

Rockton Village Board of Trustees - Tue Mar 5 7:00 pm

Village of Rockton Municipal Center

The Village of Rockton Board of Trustees meets at 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. The public is invited. [more details]

Here For You Food Pantry - Wed Mar 6 4:30 pm

Saint Peter Catholic Church

Sponsored by The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, every first Wednesday of the month, in Didier Hall. [more details]

Comedy Night at Mustangs - Wed Mar 6 8:00 pm

Mustangs Bar Grill

Free.  Comedy and more comedy, every Wednesday night until May. No cover, great time. Featuring multiple comedians each week. [more details]

Every Thursday Stewardship Day at Lost Flora Fen - Thu Mar 7 9:00 am

Lost Flora Fen on Raccoon Creek

9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Lost Flora Fen on Raccoon Creek is Natural Land Institute’s second largest preserve at nearly 400 acres. Raccoon Creek meanders through it, there is a boardwalk in the northern part where the fen is, there are agricultural fields and natural areas. Volunteers will help with restoring fields to native grassland habitat, maintenance of the boardwalk, mowing, seeding, prescribed burns and other tasks as needed. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy closed toe shoes. [more details]

Old Stone Church Food Pantry - Thu Mar 7 9:00 am

Old Stone Church

9 – 11 a.m.  If you reside in the Hononegah/South Beloit School Districts, help is available for you. Please bring a photo I.D. and a piece of mail to provide proof of residency. That is all you need. It is that simple. This food pantry has been operating in Rockton for more than 25 years, assisting around 60 families each week on average. Along with our regular weekly food pantry operations, we assist area families during holidays, as well. [more details]

Starting Your Business in Illinois - Thu Mar 7 5:30 pm

Nature at the Confluence

5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Free, but registration required. The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Rock Valley College is partnering with the City of South Beloit and Nature At The Confluence to bring local entrepreneurs this informative workshop, designed to provide entrepreneurs with an introductory guide on starting a business in Illinois. Register online. [more details]

That puts you in the loop! For more things to do, or to post your own event, visit our Community Calendar.