Spruce tree shines at Stroll on State

The blue spruce donated by the Munguia family of Winnebago for the Christmas tree at the Stroll on State celebration in Rockford, was lit up on Saturday, Nov. 24. (Photo by Doug Schroder)

By Doug Schroder

Editor

The 2018 holiday season got kicked off in the area as tens of thousands attended the Stroll on State celebration in Rockford on Saturday, Nov. 24. This was the sixth straight year for the annual event.

As reported in an earlier edition of the Gazette, the Munguia family of Winnebago donated the tree used as the Christmas tree for the event. The tree was all decorated and ready to go for the Christmas tree lighting that took place at 6 p.m. that night. The fireworks that were to accompany the lighting were delayed by about an hour though.

The boat from which the fireworks are launched lost power, which meant the Rockford Fire Department had to tow the boat to the center of the Rock River due to safety concerns, as there is a spot between two bridges where the fireworks must be launched.

In 2017 the event attracted 82,500 people. Attendance for this years event were not available as of press time, but with the temperate weather the numbers are expected to be just as good, or better, than last year.

To read the entire story and see additional photos from the event see the Nov. 29 edition of the Gazette.