| ATTRACTIONS
The District in downtown Rock Island is the hub for arts and entertainment in the Quad Cities. The District has a comfortable, pedestrian-friendly plaza surrounded by historic architecture and a casual ambiance. Downtown, you can enjoy a Broadway musical, mystery, comedy, or children's play at Circa 21 Dinner Theatre. Visit the Quad City ArtsCenter, home to the area's visual arts. Stroll through the Quad City Botanical Center, one of the largest in the Midwest. Take part in the gaming excitement of Jumer's Casino Rock Island. Enjoy live music at downtown establishments. Shop for gifts, clothing, music, books, furniture, and much more. Sit back with a good book and sip fresh-roasted java at one of the cozy coffeehouses. Dance the night away in jazz, rock and dance clubs. Attend a live comedy performance at one of two comedy clubs in The District. Dine at one of the dozen or so restaurants offering a world of tempting cuisine. Whatever your tastes, simple or eclectic, you're bound to find an afternoon or evening of fun in downtown Rock Island. Make it a weekend and stay over at the charming Victorian Inn, Top-o-the-Morning bed and breakfast or at the Four Points Hotel by Sheraton in downtown.
Besides the numerous entertainment options in downtown, Rock Island has a number of venues for family enjoyment. The Quad City Symphony, founded in 1915 and one of the oldest symphony orchestras in the country, performs its Sunday Series at Centennial Hall on the campus of Augustana College. The Augustana Centennial Art Gallery features both permanent and visiting collections of fine art. The Genusius Guild presents classical drama each summer in an open-air theatre in Lincoln Park, sponsored by the Rock Island Parks and Recreation Department.
The Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Show performs free from May through September at its home site on the Rock River and Sunset Park. From May through August, the Rock Island Parks and Recreation Department sponsors musical performances in Lincoln and Longview Parks.
Special Events and Festivals
The Downtown Rock Island Arts & Entertainment District, better known as The District, hosts many festivals throughout the year. The summer kicks off in May with Hornucopia, a music festival featuring all kinds of music with horns, and the Quad Cities Criterium bicycle and in-line skating races on Memorial Day. June brings Gumbo Ya Ya-Mardi Gras in The District, featuring Cajun and zydeco music, New Orleans style food, street performers, Barkus dog parade, and crawfish eating contest. Also in June is Ride the River, a bicycle tour of the paths along the Mississippi. August features Ya Maka My Weekend, with reggae music, Caribbean wares and fares, Jamaican food, children's village, pirate costume contest and sand volleyball tournament.
During Labor Day weekend, America's largest go-kart street race, the Rock Island Grand Prix, provides fast-paced professional go-kart races, a charity race with local celebrities, food booths, and family activities. The event is culminated with an exciting Labor Day Parade.
In September, Rock Island's historic Chippiannock cemetery at 2901 12 St, sponsors Epitaphs Brought to Life, a historic walking tour through the cemetery where actors portray interesting and well known people buried in the cemetery. Erin Feis, an Irish fold festival with food, games and music, is also in September.
Laser lights streak the sky during Halloween with Fright Nights. As you can see, there is always something going on in downtown Rock Island. For more information, call The District (309) 788-6311 or visit the web site at www.ridistrict.com.
The Star of Bethlehem program at Augustana College Planetarium, held each holiday season, describes what the fabled Wise Men may have seen in the heavens 2,000 years ago as they journeyed to the birthplace of Christ. The nation's only bi-state St. Patrick's Day parade begins in Rock Island and crosses the Mississippi into Davenport, Iowa and features dozens of bands, floats and costumed Irish families.
Tour more than 30 art galleries in downtown Rock Island with Gallery Hop, offered four times a year. Chat with artists and experience the creation of art first hand with this wonderful and unique event.
Many of our local businesses, such as the Quad City Botanical Center, the QC Expo Center and downtown businesses, host special events ranging from outdoor concerts on the Great River Plaza, Bald Eagle Days, Harvest Festival, and organized garden and home tours, just to name a few. Visit the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau web site at www.visitquadcities.com or call (800) 788-7800.
There's plenty to see and do along the banks of the mighty Mississippi in Rock Island. The City has undergone a renaissance in recent years with extensive restoration and renovation of homes and businesses. In Rock Island, the built and natural environments are undergoing continuous improvement to enhance the community's quality of life.
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