Explore ‘The Book of the Hollow Earth’ at Sinnissippi Park’s Somnium event

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — An immersive, “multi-sensory” interactive art experience is set to transform the forests of Sinnissippi Park this weekend.

The Somnium (Latin for “dream, vision, or fantasy”) event, now in its fourth year, features a series of art installations that illuminate the wooded park, creating a unique environment for visitors to explore.

“It’s an after-dark, totally immersive interactive experience where people come to the forests of Sinnissippi,” said co-creator Emily Klonicki.

The 2025 event is themed “The Book of the Hollow Earth.”

The event invites participants to embark on a nature hike through the forest, where they encounter various artistic installations and light displays. This setup allows attendees to experience art in a novel way, as they are guided through different experiences along the trail.

Klonicki, along with co-creator Eddaviel Montero, noted that the event has fostered a strong artistic community over the years, bringing together artists and visitors alike in a shared creative space. “For me, the most beautiful part is the community coming together, creating a really beautiful artist community,” she said.

Visitors are encouraged to come prepared for the outdoor setting, with comfortable clothing and shoes.

Somnium: The Book of the Hollow Earth runs from Thursday, August 28th, until Sunday, August 31st, at Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. 2nd Street.

Tickets for the event are priced at $25 for adults and $10 for children, with free entry for children under the age of six.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WTVO. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WTVO staff before being published.