The Return of Sock Monkey Madness!

Midway Village Museum just dropped me a note to share with you. It's got all the details on one of Rockford's favorite events, "The Sock Monkey Madness Festival, Fairy Tales and Red Heels."

Times: Saturday and Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm
Location: Midway Village Museum
Address: 6799 Guilford Rd., Rockford, IL 61107
Phone: (815) 397-9112
Website: www.midwayvillage.com
Admission: $8 adults, $5 children/students, Free for museum members

Wait, you've never been to The Sock Monkey Madness Festival? You'll want to change that.

Bring your monkey back to where it all began at Sock Monkey Madness Festival in Rockford, Illinois! This year's theme is "Fairy Tales & Red Heels," an enchanted event celebrating Rockford's Red Heel Sock.

Explore why the popular Sock Monkey is important to Rockford's industrial past in the exhibit featuring the local history of Rockford's knitting industry and the origin of the sock monkey doll. Meet "King" Nelson, the World's Largest Sock Monkey at 7-feet tall! Free medical check-ups and minor surgery (patches and repairs) for well-loved sock monkeys at Sockford General Hospital. The Sockford Public Library will issue Rockford Public Library cards to visitors wishing to obtain a local library card. Participate in courtly activities for all ages-- from children's crafts to plenty of monkey business! Affordable food and snacks are available.

Make-A-Monkey
Make your own Sock Monkey in Princess Pink, Knightly Red or Blue, Dragon Green, Banana Yellow or the traditional Brown with the help of our talented museum staff at the Make-a-Monkey workshops. Advance reservations are taken for the Make-A-Monkey Workshop by phone or you may also register for the workshop at the event. There is an additional $20 cost for the workshop. Allow two hours to make your monkey. Basic sewing skills are needed. Call 815-397-9112 to register, and reserve a time slot and color choice. Limited numbers of colored kits are available.

Don't want to sew? Purchase a ready-made monkey and adorn them with clothing, accessories and other free stuff. For something special finish your new fairytale friend off with accessories fit for royalty. Accessory kits are available for purchase.

See the Museum Center Covered in Yarn!
Midway Village is partnering this March with local knitters and crocheters to cover the Museum Center in creative and colorful knitted yarn. Known as "yarn bombing", the knitted pieces will cover railings, columns, statues and more with whimsical; colors and creations. (Knitters wishing to participate can contact Laura Furman at (815) 397-9112 x 108)

Shopping and Unique Gift Ideas
Shop for hand-crafted Sock Monkey merchandise. You'll be able to purchase merchandise from a variety of vendors who will sell crafted sock monkeys and out-of-the-ordinary accessories.

Take a look at the fun that was had last year (courtesy of RACVB):