ROCKFORD (WREX) -
Due to several events taking place downtown on Wednesday, July 4, the City of Rockford has announced several street closures.
The MELD Classic 8K/2Mile Run will close Madison Street from East State Street north to Y Boulevard from 7:00 a.m. and throughout the duration of the event.
Rockford's annual 4th of July Parade will begin at 5:00 p.m. this year and streets will be closed beginning at 4:00 p.m. Traffic will be impacted as follows:
- The starting point of the parade will be 7th Street and 6th Avenue, it will then go north on 7th Street to East State, west to Wyman, turn south on Wyman, and disband just south of Cedar Street. Those streets will be closed beginning at 4:00 p.m.
- Rockford Police will have traffic controls on arterial roads like 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th Streets. They will periodically allow traffic to cross, but are urging drivers to find alternate routes.
- Controls will remain in effect in many of those areas until after the completion of the fireworks display.
- Firework viewing will be allowed in the two northern lanes of the Chestnut Street Bridge this year, and many other areas, including local parks, are also available.
Parking downtown will be sparse and people are being urged to carpool. People are also encouraged to leave plenty of time to find a place to park and a place to view the fireworks and the parade because spaces fill up quite early. Limited parking will be available at the following locations:
- The parking deck west of the BMO Harris Bank Center on South Church Street, however the entire fourth floor of the parking deck is closed to the public
- The parking deck east of the Coronado Theatre on North Main just north of Jefferson Street
- Various municipal surface parking lots
- Watch for signs at private lots and do not park in any lot or space indicating cars will be towed
- Do not park on any city streets with "No Parking" signs posted
For more information on the parade or the fireworks display, visit www.rockfordfireandice.com. For specific street closure information, call Kelly Nokes at 815-967-6915.
