Lots to do in Rockford area, but we need more promotion by convention bureau

8 comments August 17th, 2009

There’s a lot to do in the Rock River Valley, enough to keep a “staycationer” busy — and exhausted at the end of the day.

The Boone County Fair just wrapped up, and the Winnebago County Fair in Pecatonica picks up the fair action Tuesday. On Saturday and Sunday there’s AirFest 2009 at Chicago Rockford International Airprot. This is becoming one of the permier air shows in the U.S. Just think of the fact that the people attending Chicago’s air show had to watch aviation action that took place over Lake Michigan. They saw no ground displays.

Here at RFD, you’ll be able to wander among dozens of aircraft on the Tarmac, and the air show will take place directly overhead.

All summer long we’ve had free concerts in Sinnissippi Park, Sunday concerts at Levings Lake, Starlight Theater at Rock Valley College, the Joe Marino 4th of July fireworks. And those are just a few things. And On The Waterfront caps off the summer.

One thing I’d like to see is better promotion of our local events by the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. For instance, my sister who lives in Carol Stream constantly sees a commercial on Chicago TV advertising for people to come to — “the real, original, Rockford.”

That’s fine. We need folks from out of town to show up and spend dollars. I’d like a little more visibility for our own, hometown events so that we know what’s on.

We do have the excellent “GO” section in the daily Register Star, and without that I wouldn’t know what’s going on. I’d like to see the RACVB produce some TV ads touting the events of the week..