Rockford is a city in the Winnebago County and is surrounded by four rivers, the Rock River and its major tributaries, the Kishwaukee, Pecatonica and Sugar. It enjoys four distinct seasons with very warm summers and extremely cold winters with temperatures hovering much below the freezing point. Rockford and surrounding areas are prone to violent thunderstorms during the months of March, April, May, and June. The month of June receives the heaviest rainfall while February is the direst month. The city averages approximately 36 inches (.92m) of snowfall in a normal winter. Rockford has a well organized network of parks which covers more than 7,000 parkland acres. You can sail, swim, cam or even have a picnic at the park.

Elevation: 740 feet

Land area: 56.0 square miles

Latitude: 42.27 N

Longitude: 89.07 W

Population: 152,916 (as on July 2005)

Festivals and Events

• Art Scene, a gallery walk in October
  
  
• Garden Fair sponsored by Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden
  
  
• Greenwich Village Art Fair featuring more than 100 local, regional & national artists.
  
  
• Groove walk, a musical festival in spring
  
  
• Head of the Rock Regatta, a major skulling event that brings more than 1,700 rowers from
  
  
• various clubs and racing teams.
  
  
• Rockford Fourth of July Celebration & Skyconcert
  
  
• Holiday Festival of Lights held during Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve.
  
  
• Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition
  
  
• On the Waterfront, Illinois’ largest music festival held during Labor Day weekend.
  
  
• Paleofest in February
  
  
• St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Party
  
  
• Young at Heart Festival during Memorial Day Weekend