Main Street District, Rockford

Most days, the area surrounding the corner of State and Main Streets is home to lively businesses including Kiwi Cafe & Bar, Kryptonite Bar, and J.R. Kortman Center for Design. Twice a month from May to September, however, the intersection is transformed into a giant block party thanks to Main Street District, a community organization that seeks to promote cultural activities, shopping, and dining in Rockford. While shops and restaurants exhort visitors to eat and shop local from vendor booths, live musical performances get the two blocks rocking. Music serves as the uniting factor for these three-day block parties, which have featured such performers as alt-rock band The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, country music star Rodney Atkins, '80s/'90s tribute band Too White Crew. Locals can get it on the act by singing along with dueling pianos and live-band karaoke, giving them a chance to work out their unresolved feelings toward a high-school crush in song.