ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (June 5, 2025) — The Rock Island Downtown Alliance is excited to announce plans for 2nd Saturdays on 2nd Ave during QC Farmers’ Market hours (8AM-12PM) on the second Saturday of each month, June through October. The free, all-ages program will feature live music in the 1800 block of 2nd Avenue; and exercise classes, outdoor games, and more family-friendly activities on the new green lawn. In addition, patrons may enjoy food and beverages at nearby restaurants.
“The QC Farmers’ Market is generating positive foot traffic downtown, and we hope 2nd Saturdays on 2nd Ave will just add to the fun people experience when they visit,” said Jack Cullen, Executive Director of the Rock Island Downtown Alliance. “These activities are exactly what these new public spaces were built for, and we’re eager to see the impact of the improvements and programs.”
The Downtown Alliance is partnering with the downtown-based gym Refined Fit Lab to provide monthly exercise classes and Common Chord to present live music at the market, an expansion of the established program in Davenport.
“Our Music at the Market program is designed to carry out our mission of improving our community with the power of music,” said Tyson Danner, Executive Director of Common Chord. “We’re delighted to expand this program into Rock Island and look forward to being part of the continued success of the downtown area.”
Another new amenity is the new four-and-a-half-feet-tall steel “ROCK ISLAND” letters at the edge of 2nd Avenue and the green lawn positioned for fun photo opportunities. Free parking is available in adjacent lots as well as on the street surrounding the venue, and multiple bike racks are in the general vicinity.
8AM-12PM, Saturday, June 14
- Fitness: Mat Pilates (RSVP encouraged)
- Fun: Bubble play
- Music: Soultru
- Refreshments: Huckleberry's Great Pizza and Calzones pop-up at the market plus sidewalk patio specials at El Patron and Icons Martini
- Games: cornhole, giant chess, giant Connect 4, and Tetris Tumble XL
- Extra: QC UNITY Pride Parade
8AM-12PM, Saturday, July 12
- Fitness: All-Levels Yoga (RSVP encouraged)
- Fun: Temporary airbrush tattoos
- Music: Eva Kendall
- Refreshments: Huckleberry's pop-up at the market plus sidewalk patio specials at El Patron and Icons
- Games: cornhole, giant chess, giant Connect 4, and Tetris Tumble XL
8AM-12PM, Saturday, August 9
- Fitness: All-Levels Yoga (RSVP encouraged)
- Fun: Balloon twisting
- Music: Frankie Joe
- Refreshments: Huckleberry's pop-up at the market plus sidewalk patio specials at El Patron and Icons
- Games: cornhole, giant chess, giant Connect 4, and Tetris Tumble XL
8AM-12PM, Saturday, September 13
- Fitness: Power Sculpt Yoga (RSVP encouraged)
- Fun: Magic
- Music: Charlotte Boyer
- Refreshments: Huckleberry's pop-up at the market plus sidewalk patio specials at El Patron, Icons and Looney’s Little Chicago
- Games: cornhole, giant chess, giant Connect 4, and Tetris Tumble XL
8 a.m. to noon Saturday, October 11
- Fitness: Yoga-Pilates Fusion (RSVP encouraged)
- Fun: Facepainting
- Music: Gunner Eberhard
- Refreshments: Huckleberry's pop-up at the market plus sidewalk patio specials at El Patron, Icons and Looney’s Little Chicago
- Games: cornhole, giant chess, giant Connect 4 and Tetris Tumble XL
