2021 Rock Island Citizen of the Year Award Nomination - Nominations are now being taken for the 2021 Rock Island Citizen of the Year Awards. There are seven categories which include: Business, Professional, Education, Individual, City Employee, Organization, and Youth. In addition, there is a special nomination for Honorary Citizen of the Year. This would be for an individual that has contributed to the good of the community even though they do not live in Rock Island. The deadline for receiving nominations is Friday, August 6. , 2021 and can be done at www.rigov.org/COY. For more information, please call Committee Chairperson Alderman Dylan Parker at (563) 940-6073, or Interim City Clerk Josh Adams at (309) 732-2010.

Quad City Botanical Center-Art in the Garden – The Quad City Botanical Center will be hosting their fifth annual event, Art in the Garden, on Saturday, August 7,2021 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The event features local and regional artists including potters, painters, sculptors, jewelry makers and others who are inspired by nature to create. Their works will be exhibited and sold at this outdoor show. The event includes music by Roger Carlson and friends, demonstrations by the wood turners and fun activities for the kids. Tickets can be purchased at qcgardens.com or purchased at the gate. Admission is eight dollars for adults and four dollars for members and kids ages five to fifteen. Admission is free for kids ages four and younger. 

Floatzilla Challenge – Registration is now open for River Action’s annual paddle event on the Mississippi River held August 21, 2021. Paddlers will launch from five sites across the Quad Cities to take over the river for the day. The US Coast Guard will close the river and have a team of safety boats on the water to make sure everyone makes it to Lake Potter at Sunset Park in Rock Island safely. At Lake Potter there are a selection of local food trucks and live music for participants to enjoy. At 2:30 pm all participants will gather at the center of the lake for a HUGE group photo! After the picture shuttles will be provided to return participants back to the launch sites. 

Thursday Night GROOVE: Free Concert Series in Schwiebert Park  – The concert series will be held on the Ellis Kell Stage at Schwiebert Riverfront Park every Thursday between July 29, 2021 and September 23, 2021. At 6:00 pm food and beer sales begin featuring the Rock Island Parks Concession Stand with brats and hot dogs, Happy Joe’s Pizza, and beer sales by Bent River Brewing Company. The live concert performance will be from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. “Funktastic 5” will perform July 29, 2021 followed by “Been There Done That” on August 5, 2021. A complete schedule of performances can be found on the RI Parks & Recreation website. 

National Night Out  – Is Tuesday August 3, 2021 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm in the Upper Pavilion at Longview Park. The Community Caring Committee has planned a fun evening of games and activities provided by the RI Public Library, RIPD K-9 Union Demonstrations, there will be a Tug of War between the RI Fire Department and RI County Sheriff Department, free refreshment and music by Ronnie Love!