Park Fest brings Rockford’s West Side community together with fun events

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The fifth annual “Park Fest” returned to Rockford’s west side, drawing crowds to Park Church for a day of fun and community engagement.

Park Fest offered a variety of activities including food, live entertainment, pony rides, train rides, and a petting zoo. The event is designed to bring the community together and provide an opportunity for attendees to learn about Jesus, according to organizers.

“The reason for the festival is, of course, for everyone to have fun and have a good time, but also for people to know about Jesus,” said lead coordinator Kay Horden.

Executive pastor Dr. Sheila Hill, emphasized the event’s role in serving the west side community, “We’re the only festival on the west side of Rockford, and the west side of Rockford is underserved.”

The festival featured appearances by popular characters such as Bob the Minion, Hammy from the Ice Hogs, and Princess Cinderella, delighting children and families. Attendees could enjoy a range of activities, including bounce houses, face painting, and a three-on-three basketball tournament.

Dr. Sheila Hill noted that Park Fest has grown significantly since its inception in regard to vendors and food trucks, “It has gotten a whole lot better and bigger, and it keeps getting bigger and better,” she said.

The festival is part of Park Church’s efforts to engage the community and provide a sense of pride and hope. “We want everyone to feel loved,” Dr. Hill added, highlighting the inclusive nature of the event, which is free and open to all.

Park Fest continues to be a cornerstone event for Rockford’s west side, fostering community spirit and offering a welcoming environment for all attendees.

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.