ROCKFORD – Most events will be canceled or even virtual for the Rockford-favorite tradition; stroll on state, this year due to the global pandemic of COVID19. 

Vice President of Marketing and Sports Development for the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Nick Povalitis has announced new changes attaining to the new Tier 3 Covid restrictions. “There is no live event so to speak,” Povalitis said. “In the first 7 years of Stroll on State we’re very accustomed to bringing down thousands or tens of thousands of people downtown.” 

Some of the modified events taking place are virtual meetings with Santa Claus and virtual Dasher Dash 5k run.

The highlight for many was the fireworks show that was on the northeast and southeast side of Rockford.  “It was the second-best time of my life,” Oliver Elrod said.

(Compiled by Hailey Skaggs from 23WIFR for the Guilford Voyager by Hailey Skaggs)