Do you live and/or work in downtown Rockford?

GENERAL FAQ

Q. When is the On the Waterfront Festival?
A. Labor Day Weekend

Q. What are the dates of the 2011 On the Waterfront Festival?
A. Thursday , September 1, Friday, September 2, Saturday, September 3, and Sunday, September 4.

Q. What are the hours of the On the Waterfront Festival?
A. Friday 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM; Saturday 11:30 AM to 12:00 AM; Sunday 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM

Q. What area does the Festival cover?
A. In general, the borders are:
East – Rock River
West – Church Street
North – Mulberry Street
South – Green & Cedar Streets

RESIDENT & BUSINESS FAQ

Q. I live or work within festival grounds. How do I get to my home or business during the festival hours?
A. If you work or live within festival grounds, you will receive a letter in August explaining the procedure. If you haven’t received a letter, please refer to the downtown neighbor letter on this page

.Q. I live within festival grounds. What if I have guests over during the weekend of the festival?
A. If your guests are coming to visit you, please call the On the Waterfront office, ext. 27 to make arrangements for your guests to gain access to your residence. If your guests are coming to enjoy the festival, they will need to purchase a pass.

Q. I live within festival grounds and have a pet. Is there a designated area that I can walk my dog during festival hours?
A. For reasons of health and safety for our patrons, pets are not allowed on festival grounds during hours of operation. Please make alternate arrangements for your pet if this is a concern.

PARKING FAQ

Q. I have a City permit and have designated parking set forth by OTW. When is my permit valid in the permitted parking lots?
A. City parking permit holders may use the Metro Centre parking deck or the Conseco deck across from the Coronado Theater.  The permits are valid non-festival hours only. Both of these lots have fees for parking during the hours of the festival.

OTW HOST/NEIGHBOR FAQ

Q. What is an OTW Host/Neighbor?
A. OTW hosts/neighbors are the people who live or work in the downtown area that is affected by the On the Waterfront Festival.

Q. What is the OTW Host Council?
A. The OTW Host Council includes representatives from each area impacted by the festival including restaurants, retail, commercial, and residential, as well as the River District, City of Rockford and On the Waterfront staff and Board of Directors

.Q. What does the OTW Host Council do?
A. The OTW Host Council was formed to improve the experiences for downtown businesses, offices and residents during the weekend of the On the Waterfront Festival.

NOT-FOR-PROFIT FAQ

Q. Where does the money from the festival go?
A. Each year, On the Waterfront contributes more than $200,000 to more than 100 area not-for-profit organizations that participate in festival fundraising activities. In total, On the Waterfront has contributed $9.9 million to not-for-profits since 1986.

Q. How does a not-for-profit organization raise money at the festival?
A. There are several festival fundraising activities available to not-for-profit organizations. They run their own food booths, OTW Pepsi tents, Beer tents, Food Ticket booths, Admission Pass booths, Special Events, Green Team and many other activities.

RESTAURANT FAQ

Q. I own a restaurant and plan to be open during festival hours. How do I arrange for employees to gain access?
A. Request special access privileges from the On the Waterfront office, 964-4388, Ext. 27.

Q. Is it necessary for my customers to buy a ticket in order to come to my place of business?
A. Request special access privileges from the On the Waterfront office, 964-4388, Ext. 27.

Q. I own a restaurant. Can I have a food booth at the festival?
A. If you are interested in having a commercial food tent at the festival, please contact the OTW office at 815-964-4388 ext. 11.

Q. I own a restaurant. Can I partner with a not-for-profit organization to sell my products on festival grounds?
A. We do allow restaurants to partner with not-for-profit organizations to sell food during the festival. Please contact the OTW office at 815-964-4388, ext. 11 for more information.

Q. I own a restaurant. Can I sell my product outside in front of my business during the festival?
A. Please contact the OTW office to obtain an application and copy of the policy for Outdoor Food Sales for Downtown Restaurants.

RETAIL FAQ

Q. I own a retail establishment. Can I have a booth at the On the Waterfront festival?
A. We do have a Marketplace area in the festival to allow vendors to sell unique and eclectic merchandise. Please contact the OTW office at 815-964-4388 ext. 41 for more information.

LAYOUT FAQ

Q. Who can I contact if I have questions about the festival layout and how it will affect me?
A. If you have questions about how the festival will affect you, contact Community Relations at the OTW Corporate office at 815-964-4388, ext. 27.