GoRockford invites the community to be part of the magic of the 13th annual Stroll on State, presented by UMB Bank, on Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 2-9 p.m. Stroll on State is Midwest’s Best Holiday Fest and features a parade, tree lighting, drone show, live music, vendors, fireworks, and festive activities for all ages. The annual event is held over 25 city blocks in downtown Rockford. GoRockford is now accepting applications for food and retail vendors, as well as the Stroll on State Holiday parade. Volunteer and Dasher Dash 5k registration is also open now.
Food & Retail Vendors
Stroll on State is held on Small Business Saturday and serves as a unique opportunity for event attendees to show support to local businesses. Food trucks, artisans, and specialty retail vendors are invited to apply and showcase their unique offerings to the estimated 85,000 attendees.
Space is limited, and vendors are selected to ensure a diverse and festive experience. Stroll on State’s vendor experience includes outdoor dining and shopping at two market locations, including the Rockford City Market Pavilion at the corner of East State and Water Street and along Wyman Street, just west of the river.
Deadline to Apply: Friday, October 17, 2025
Apply Online: https://www.gorockford.com/stroll-on-state/vendor-applications/
Stroll on State Holiday Parade
Kick off the day with the Stroll on State Holiday Parade, presented by NECA/IBEW 364 Power Connection, featuring large-scale balloons, festive floats, marching bands, and costumed characters. The Stroll parade is the perfect opportunity to showcase your business and provide a fun, team-building opportunity for employees. Parade applications are open to individuals, organizations, and businesses. Each unit must be decorated for the holidays and follow basic safety rules outlined in the application.
The approximately one-mile route steps off at 2 p.m. from 401 S. Main Street, traveling east on State Street to Third Street. At the parade end (E. State & Third Streets), parade units will continue straight to Fourth Street to disembark. Additional details, including lineup details and call times, are sent directly to participants closer to the parade date.
Deadline to Apply: Monday, November 10, 2025
Apply Online: https://www.gorockford.com/stroll-on-state/parade-application/
Dasher Dash 5K
Dasher Dash 5K is a family-friendly holiday-themed run/walk through downtown Rockford. The race starts and ends near Beattie Park at Jefferson and Wyman and runs throughout the Stroll on State footprint and adjacent neighborhood. Finishers receive a medal, long-sleeved shirt, race swag bag and finisher beer or hot chocolate. Registration costs $40 for adults and $25 for kids 12 and under. There is an after-party immediately following the race prior to the full Stroll on State parade.
Race Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 12 p.m. (prior to Stroll on State).
Register by November 1, 2025, to guarantee a race shirt. Registration closes November 28 at 11:59 p.m. (no race day registration).
Register Online: www.DasherDash.com
Additional Ways to Get Involved
Volunteer for Stroll
Stroll on State is a free event for the entire community. To make that possible, more than 4,000 volunteer hours are needed leading up to Stroll and on event day. No experience is necessary to volunteer. There is a job for everyone!
Santa’s Workshop (310 S. Winnebago St.) hosts regular volunteer shifts and opens on September 16, 2025. Here you will make and repair decorations, paint, check lights, and more. Help is needed every week!
· Tuesdays: 6–9 p.m.
· Saturdays: 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
Decoration Days are when everything gets placed for the season! The tree is decorated, the presents are placed and downtown starts to look festive! This year, decoration days are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, November 21–22, 2025.
Event Day has an abundance of opportunities for you or a group of your friends and family to get involved! Shifts are typically 3 hours and start as early as 6 a.m. and end around midnight.
Interested volunteers can sign up for shifts or show up to the workshop on Tuesday or Saturday to assist. Volunteers ages 12-15 are welcome with a parent or guardian. Volunteers ages 16-17 are welcome with a signed waiver from a parent or guardian.
Volunteers can sign up: https://www.gorockford.com/stroll-on-state/volunteering/.
Sponsor Stroll on State
Stroll on State is made possible by the generous support of local businesses and organizations. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for 2025, offering a variety of ways to connect your business with the region’s largest event and audience. Contact strollonstate@gorockford.com for additional details and open opportunities.
"Stroll on State has grown to become the region’s largest event, but at the heart, it is all about the community,” said Kristen Paul, GoRockford Executive Vice President. “From year one, our focus has been to provide a free opportunity to gather with neighbors, make new friends, and provide a safe and fun space for all. Whether you walk in the parade, sign on as a vendor, participate in the Dasher Dash 5K, volunteer behind the scenes, or choose to sponsor the event, you are helping bring joy to thousands of families during the holiday season. None of it would be possible without the ongoing support of the Rockford region."
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