Free events in Belvidere, IL

Local authors present an afternoon of stories, songs, and hands-on creativity at the Heritage Center during the Wisconsin Science Festival. Featured titles include Wisconsin Wakes by Samantha Cora and Big Feelings by Elizabeth Seeliger. After a brief read aloud with songs, children can explore the nature playground and take part in themed crafts. This free program welcomes all ages, and an adult must accompany youth. No registration is required. Restrooms and a water fountain are available. Activities are planned outdoors, with indoor access if the weather changes. For accessibility questions, contact heritagecenter@danecounty.gov. For language assistance or to request an accessibility modification, email lwrd@danecounty.gov at least 10 business days before the program. Please note that not all programs can be modified.

No cost health screenings are available in the school gym, with evaluations for diabetes, blood pressure, lipid profiles, mental health, and food insecurity. Appointments can be requested by email or through the Cultivating Health Ministries website. Se ofrecen exámenes de salud gratuitos en el gimnasio de la escuela, con evaluaciones para diabetes, presión arterial, perfil lipídico, salud mental e inseguridad alimentaria. Puede solicitar una cita por correo electrónico o en el sitio web de Cultivating Health Ministries.

This neighborhood market in Rockford’s North End centers on farmers and local artisans, featuring seasonal produce, baked goods, and handmade goods, along with other locally made products. The atmosphere is welcoming and dog friendly, and SNAP/Link benefits are accepted to help make fresh, local food accessible to everyone.

At Rock Valley College, the World’s Largest Polio Walk highlights Rotary’s ongoing work to end polio around the globe. Participants learn along the route why polio remains a concern and how they can help. There is no fee to register to walk. To RSVP, email RockfordAreaPolioWalk@gmail.com. After RSVPing, a link to a merchandise store will be provided for those who want to further support the effort.

RAD’s annual Halloween Free Print Day returns with a fresh design that blends spooky charm with cheeky, theatrical energy, nodding to a legendary midnight movie tradition. Bring a blank shirt to get the artwork printed at no cost, or choose from a limited selection of blanks available to buy starting at $10. A new drop off service is available during regular store hours for those who want to skip the line, priced at $10 per garment with no limit on quantity. For best results, bring items that contain cotton, such as shirts, hoodies, dresses, or pillowcases. Printing is done on site while you wait and typically takes only a few minutes. There is a limit of two blank garments per person for the free printing offer. The design uses black ink, so it will show up best on lighter fabrics, though darker items can still be printed. RAD Coffee Club will be open with coffee drinks available while you wait. Share photos of finished pieces by tagging @RockfordArtDeli.

Explore Medicare insurance choices at this free workshop for adults and seniors. Licensed Sales Representative Carol Cherry will explain the components of Medicare and how they relate to available plan options, helping participants make informed choices. No sign-up is needed. For more information, contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701. TTY users should call (815) 762-0761-711 for assistance.

Stateline performer Denny “Diamond” Svehla returns to Concerts On The Creek with his tongue-in-cheek “Okayest” gala, a variety show that brings together highlights from across his performances into one showcase. Admission is free, and audience donations support the musicians and help cover the church’s hosting costs. A non-refundable $5 early donation, issued as a ticket, guarantees open seating upon arrival but does not reserve a specific spot, and the full amount supports the concert. The organizers’ nonprofit ticketing service does not charge them a transaction fee, with an option to add a contribution to that service at checkout. Special arrangements are available for those unable to purchase online. Free off-street parking is available for up to 95 vehicles. The listening area is on a single level with easy access, and the room offers clear, lively acoustics. Support for this event comes from Downtown Discount Drugs, City Center Market, and O’Briens & Dobbins Pharmacy.

This relaxed automotive gathering welcomes every make and model, as well as any type of vehicle. Attendance is free for both participants and spectators, and on-site registration is complimentary. To keep the event safe and enjoyable, attendees are asked to avoid burnouts and excessive revving and to leave the area clean. Vendors are not part of this event, and there is no registration fee. Additional details are to be determined.

Volunteer powered and community centered, this farmers market features a rotating lineup of vendors, live music, and ready-to-eat food. A vendor list organized by date is available on the market website. Free yoga classes are offered near the Higgins Avenue entrance, with pre-registration available online.

Following the Lions Club Costume Contest, the fun continues across the street in the church parking lot with a Trunk or Treat offering plenty of candy and a few surprises. To reserve a spot for a trunk, contact Eric Mede or leave a message with the church at 815-522-3546.

The Good Feet Store is offering complimentary foot checks to help you learn more about how your feet support everything you do. During a visit, trained specialists provide an alignment assessment and a personalized arch support fitting, then guide a test walk in your own shoes so you can experience the difference before making a decision. The process is relaxed and pressure free with a try before you buy approach. Participants can access special pricing tied to the foot check and receive free swag. Many customers notice benefits right away and can leave with their new supports the same day.

Curious about the winged night workers that help keep mosquitoes in check? Bats spend the day roosting, then take to the sky at dusk to dine on insects. If one swoops past, it is not trying to frighten anyone, it is simply on the way to work. Certified Boone County Master Gardeners will provide information about bats and answer questions during an informational program at Ida Public Library in Belvidere, Illinois. This event is free. To register, call the library at 815-544-3838. For reasonable accommodation requests, contact Extension Program Coordinator Jan Saglier at 815-544-3710 or jsaglier@illinois.edu.

A ribbon cutting celebrates the grand opening of Opportunity House’s new Workforce Development and Training Center. Guests can explore the space, discover the training programs and opportunities it will offer, and share in recognizing this milestone for Opportunity House and the individuals it serves.

Take part in a free evening centered on Commander.

Discover how to recognize toxic plants during a free educational program presented by certified Boone County Master Gardeners at Cherry Valley Public Library. The session focuses on identifying plants that can be harmful and understanding what to look for. Registration is required and can be completed by calling the library at 815-335-5161. For reasonable accommodation requests, contact the Extension Program Coordinator, Jan Saglier, at 815-544-3710.

A family-friendly evening of safe trick or treating unfolds in the heart of Downtown Belvidere. A community favorite, it has expanded over the years and attracts thousands of families to the area.

This Play Lab introduces the Pokemon Trading Card Game through guided demonstrations led by Professors, with learn-to-play materials provided. New players may keep the demo decks they use while supplies last. There is no cost to participate.

Enjoy a free, in-person trivia game at Buffalo Wild Wings in Beloit where teams compete for prizes. Each show features a mix of rounds, including image and music challenges, hosted live by a game host. Players use their phones to follow a game link, submit answers, and collect points. Expect a wide range of questions from pop culture to history and a lively setting that encourages collaborative play.

Clean Lakes Alliance and Dane County Parks host a volunteer seed collection at Lake Farm County Park. Volunteers gather native prairie seeds from plants that have finished blooming, sometimes working off trail within the prairie. The collected seed supports restoration and new native plantings throughout county parks, which in turn helps protect local waters. Native plants use deep, complex roots to hold soil in place, limit erosion, reduce the phosphorus that fuels algae, filter contaminated runoff, store more carbon than invasive species, offer habitat for pollinators and wildlife, and enhance natural spaces. Tools and on-site guidance are provided, and no prior plant knowledge is needed. Dress for outdoor work, bring water and sun protection, and feel free to bring garden gloves, though gloves will also be available. Closed-toed shoes and long pants are required for protection from bugs, ticks, and scratches. Participants meet at Shelter #2 inside the park.

Connect with local professionals at a free networking meetup hosted at PC Tech 2U, the PC store owned by Robert Lockwood. Bring your tech questions and any devices you have been considering for repair, since the setting is well suited for conversations about electronics. The gathering also includes time to learn about Darkhorse Lodge, which is dedicated to giving veterans a place for healing and camaraderie. Attendees are encouraged to bring business cards and a friendly smile.

This free film series in the J. R. Sullivan Theater at the RPL Nordlof Center in Rockford marks 250 years of American independence. Screenings include complimentary popcorn and a lineup that ranges from family favorites to classics and contemporary hits. Titles on the schedule include The Super Mario Bros. Movie (PG), The Princess Bride (PG), 42 (PG-13), Superman (PG-13), Independence Day (PG-13), Fantastic Mr. Fox (PG), The Karate Kid (PG), Sinners (R), Frankenweenie (PG), Pride and Prejudice (PG), and Muppet Christmas Carol (G).