This month started Phase 3 of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order. Residents are able to slowly resume some extracurricular activities. A Rockford arts community is partnering with local venues to give people something to look forward to this weekend.
The Rockford Area Arts Council and 317 Art Collective is having an “Art Safari.”
Mary McNamara Bernsten is the executive director of RAAC. She said the event was going to be drive-thru only.
“And then it got to the point where the state and the city opened up a little bit more for Phase 3,” she said. “And now we’re allowed to park and peruse. So, if you keep a safe social distance and have a mask on, that is all that the Safari asks.”
There will be t-shirts, crafts and jewelry for sale. These can be bought while inside of your car.
McNamara Bernsten said downtown restaurants are open and the City has shut down the 200 through 500 blocks of State Street to allow more room for outside dining.
Laura Gomel, director of 317 Art Collective, is running the event.
The venues participating have chosen an animal to represent them.
McNamara Bernsten said participants who capture pictures of all the animals should send them to Gomel. They will be entered into a drawing to receive a basket full of gifts.
The Safari runs Saturday evening from 2 to 6, in downtown Rockford. If the weather is bad, the event will be moved to Sunday.