IceHogs kick off season with annual block party in downtown Rockford

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Fans packed downtown Rockford on Saturday for the Rockford IceHogs' annual block party to kick off a new season.

The annual event featured free craft beer tasting, free coffee, kids' activities, a T-shirt giveaway, local food trucks, and live music by That 70's band, along with a live radio broadcast. But the biggest draw was the players themselves, as fans lined up along the red carpet to meet the team as they entered the BMO Center ahead of their opening-night matchup against the Milwaukee Admirals.

Derrick Carter attended the event. He said he was excited to be part of the festivities and looked forward to what he hopes will be a successful season for the IceHogs.

"The whole celebration for the Screw City opening night is going to be bonkers," Carter said, referring to the IceHogs' Screw City alternate uniforms and the team's whiteout promotion. "The whole fanbase is going to be wild."

Scott Carnes, a season-ticket holder for the past decade, shared Carter's excitement and said the Rockford community should continue supporting its hometown team.

"It's good for the community," Carnes said. "Rockford needs to show their support for the team, so it's nice to see the lines of people coming out."

As the regular season begins, fans said events like the block party help build excitement and bring the community together in support of the hometown team.