About Rhythm of the Heart
Organizers said they had so much fun coming together in Loves Park, Ill. in July 2023 for the first annual Rhythm of the Heart Music Festival. “We can’t wait for this year and we are so excited to announce the festival date! The Rhythm of the Heart Music Festival will be on July 27, 2024! Be sure to add the date to your calendars now! The event is a FREE, all-day festival featuring live music, a car show, food trucks, vendor tents, a kids’ activity area and FIREWORKS,” they said.
Vendor and food truck applications for the 2024 music festival are now closed as they have reached full capacity!
Bands
1 to 2:30 p.m.
This awesome group based out of Rockford presents an awesome music performance of Yacht Rock.
Nauti Nauti
3 to 4:30 p.m.
This is America’s most authentic tribute to the Toby Keith. They perform 50+ shows annually throughout the United States!
Made In America – A Tribute To Toby Keith
5:30 to 7 p.m.
Chicagoland’s tribute to the Greatest Southern Rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Lynskynyrd
8 to 9:30 p.m.
Since 2002 Gabriel Sanchez has been portraying Prince in his critically acclaimed show The Prince Experience. The Prince Experience puts on a show of unbelievable entertainment.
Gabriel Sanchez presents THE PRINCE EXPERIENCE
Events
Food Trucks
Local food truck vendors will provide food and drinks all day.
Local Vendors & Artisans –
Find your next treasure from local vendors.
Car Show – 1 to 5 p.m.
The Gentlemen Car Club originated in 1959 in Loves Park, Ill.
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In June of 1960, it was written, “They’re hot-rodders, but they’re gentlemen of the roadways.”
VFW Color Guard - National Anthem
K-9 Demonstration at 4:30 p.m. on the festival grounds! Come out and meet Blitz or Koal!
Fun for Kids
Kids will have their own area to play in that includes a large blow-up activity center.
Hula Hoop Competition - Come show your skills in front of the main stage at 7:30 p.m. for the hula hoop competition!
Fireworks – approximately 9:30 p.m. because a community celebration has to have a firework display
The City of Loves Park
100 Heart Boulevard, Loves Park, IL 61111
Loves Park Festival Grounds (located east of City Hall)
Rhythm of the Heart
LOVES PARK - THE CITY WITH A HEART FOR 77 YEARS!
EDITOR: Melanie Bradley
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Heidi Schulz
SECTION DESIGNER: Jen DeGroot
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Vicki Vanderwerff
Nauti Nauti
from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Tribute to Toby Keith
At left: Made in America – A Tribute to Toby Keith will be at the Rhythm of the Heart Fest from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Above: Nauti Nauti, a yacht rock band from Rockford will kick off the on-stage entertainment
COURTESY PHOTO Rhythm of the Heart Guide
COURTESY
LynSkynyrd
Above: LynSkynyrd, the Midwest’s premier Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute band, will bring the early evening musical entertainment to the Rhythm of The Heart Fest from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
COURTESY PHOTO Rhythm of the Heart Guide
The Prince Experience
At right: Since 2002 Gabriel Sanchez has been portraying Prince in his critically acclaimed show The Prince Experience. What started off as Gabriel portraying Prince in a local theatre production of Purple Rain, has expanded into a full blown loving tribute to Prince. The Prince Experience puts on a show of unbelievable entertainment. Anyone who has seen it will be talking about it long after the last encore is played! The show will take the stage from 8 to 9:30 p.m. at the event.
COURTESY PHOTO Rhythm of the Heart Guide
PIASA LEATHER & SADDLE
Fireworks show
Young at Heart
The Young at Heart Queen and Princesses will likely be a hit at the Rhythm of the Heart Fest. Mini Princess - Ivy Smith; Petite Princess - Maddison Ortega; Royalty Princess - Kaylee Anderson; Junior Princess - Violet Bane; Queen - Emily Zammuto
PATRICK TUCKER AT TUCKER PHOTOGRAPHY Rhythm of the Heart Guide
An interurban car and repair crew are pictured, circa 1911. This interurban barn was located at 5001 North Second Street in Loves Park. The interurban was a popular means of conveyance for quite a number of years for area residents who wanted to travel anywhere between Rockford and Janesville. Part of its route ran alongside of what is today Highway 251. The interurban tracks that ran up Main Street in Roscoe are said to still remain beneath the pavement. PHOTO COURTESY OF ILLINOIS DIGITAL ARCHIVES Rhythm of the Heart Guide
Let’s Hula Hoop!
Above: Compete against friends and other festival goers in the Hula Hoop Competition at 7:30 p.m.
COURTESY PHOTO Rhythm of the Heart Guide
Food trucks
At right: The annual Fest will once again have plenty of food vendors on site to satisfy whatever cravings visitors might have.
COURTESY PHOTO Rhythm of the Heart Guide
Caricature artist
Car Show
At right: The Gentlemen Car
will take place at the fest from 1 to 5 p.m.
Club Show
COURTESY PHOTO Rhythm of the Heart Guide
Above: A caricature artist captured this image of these boys at last year’s Rhythm of the Heart Fest.
COURTESY PHOTO Rhythm of the Heart Guide
Food Trucks
Local food truck vendors will provide food and drinks all day.
COURTESY PHOTO Rhythm of the Heart Guide
Welcome signs greet residents and visitors to Loves Park, the City with a Heart.
COURTESY PHOTOS Rhythm of the Heart
Ski Broncs
At left: In 1967, the Ski Broncs waterski team first came into existence and has been entertaining Stateline audiences for 55 years. This world-class water ski team gives free shows from early June until Labor Day at Shorewood Park in Loves Park.
SKI BRONCS PHOTO Rhythm of the Heart
Field of Honor
Below: Located in the Arthur W. Anderson Peace Park near Loves Park City Hall, the Field of Honor was conceived by Anderson as a memorial to honor veterans who served in the five wars of the 20th century. Five vertical columns and eight resin-composite life-sized statues are set before a series of 40 American flags. A small column honors civilian contributions to the war efforts. Christopher Bennett of Keosauqua, IA, is the artist. Designed by Gene Horvath with landscape design by John R. Cook & Associates. It’s maintained by the Rockford Park District, and was dedicated Nov. 10, 1995.
JESSE FOX PHOTO Rhythm of the Heart
