Campus News

ROCKFORD — Held the first weekend of spring, Meltfest aims to bring people together in celebrating community and saying “so long” to the cold and snow.

The four-year-old fest, already a Rockford favorite, has grown every year because of a dedicated group of Rockford University faculty and staff leading the annual charge in organizing the event. This year’s Meltfest is slated for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, with many activities taking place in and around the Prairie Street Brewhouse, 200 Prairie St. in downtown Rockford.

“This weekend, we will have more than 500 runners in a 5K, 20-plus vendors on display, and an overall event that we estimate will touch at least 5,000 people,” says Brian Huels, Assistant Professor of Accounting at Rockford University and a leader of Meltfest’s organizing committee.

And those are just a few of the highlights this weekend. Meltfest will offer plenty of free, family-friendly fun like a group bike ride, ice skating, and pool kayaking. Kids will love the roving entertainers, science and magic shows, games and crafts.

Hop on the trolley to ride among the event’s locations (weather permitting), and explore a thawed Rockford to the beat of live music. You’ll find something for everyone at Meltfest, which benefits the Cosmopolitan Club of Rockford this year and is sponsored by the brewhouse and university along BMO Harris Bank.

“It is an honor to be a member of the group that has made this happen,” adds Huels.