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2019 Stroll on State Expands, Set for Nov. 30 T he 7th annual Stroll on State is expanding this year. More than 87,000 people filled the streets of downtown Rockford last year to welcome the season together and experience a true sense of community. “The magic of the season shines through our downtown during Stroll and brings people together in a variety of ways,” says Tana Vettore, Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau’s director of destination development. This year’s event will kick off on Nov. 30, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, from 2 to 9 p.m., featuring a parade with floats, horse & wagon rides, fireworks, visits with Santa, a very special tree lighting and much more. The parade will step off at 2 p.m. from South Main at Chestnut Street and stroll north to State Street, heading east
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Smart Living Weekly
across the bridge and ending at 3rd Street. It’ll feature eight large-scale balloons, including Buddy the Dinosaur and Butterscotch the Elf, as well as festive floats, live music, DJs and a few extra surprises. In Strollville, children will play inside life-sized elf houses this year. There’ll be plenty to see, touch and take photos with, including a larger-than-life Elf parade balloon. Strollville also is the location of Rudolph’s Reindeer Village. This interactive activity will be located just east of the BMO Harris Bank Center and a block south of the city Christmas tree. Also new is a reimagined tree lighting experience. To accommodate growing crowds, the Main Stage will move to the southwest corner of Wyman and State streets. Guests will sing together and count down to the official tree lighting.
Nov. 20
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Watch for Santa as he appears during the music production beginning at 5:45 p.m. The tree lighting will begin at 6:15 p.m. Sky Lights Fireworks will launch from Davis Park immediately after the tree lighting. The new Sleigh Bell stage will join the Silver Bell and Jingle Bell stages in
