While the block party is free, the game is not. Get your tickets now!

Start the IceHogs '22-'23 season off with a bang as Hard Rock Casino - Rockford presents the IceHogs Opening Night Block Party!

When: Saturday, October 22, 2022, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Where: Elm and Main Streets outside of BMO Center

Cost: Admission is FREE and you do not need a ticket to the IceHogs game to attend the pregame block party, but attendees will need to pay for food and beverage at the event.

This is a rain or shine event.

The IceHogs and Hard Rock Casino – Rockford are also teaming up on an exclusive Opening Night Block Party T-shirt giveaway. Fans attending the block party will have the first chance to get a shirt with the remaining shirts available to fans upon entry to the BMO Harris Bank Center.

Rockford's own Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts will rock the streets for the block party starting at 4:30.

Led by free-wheeling frontman Miles Nielsen, The Rusted Hearts have been wowing audiences for years with the diversity of their sound, the tightness of their 4-part harmonies, and the quality of their songcraft. Equally comfortable in a compact 3-minute pop song and an epic 10-minute jam, the band has toured incessantly since their inception in 2011, amassing an army of hardcore followers that have dubbed themselves the Rusted Herd. Their new album “OHBAHOY” finds the band venturing into a sphere of Americana that feels both familiar and excitingly new. Tight drums, rich guitar tones, gorgeous woodwinds, and sweeping harmonies provide the perfect complements to Nielsen’s immense storytelling gifts and impeccable vocals. The album’s name comes from an imaginary friend Nielsen had growing up, a fitting reminder as we get older to hold tightly to the noble ideals of freedom and creativity that seem so natural to us as children.

Delectable food and beverages will be on sale from numerous local food trucks, including 15th & Chris, Ben’s Pretzels, Blaz'in Magic BBQ, Inzombia Coffee, Olivo Taco, and TNT Funnel Cakes.

The Pepsi "Street Team" will be on site with the Bubbl’r Jeep providing free 12 oz. samplers of Bubbl’r!

Last but not least, get the all-new Goose Island Blackhawks Pale Ale at the BMO Center this season, starting with Saturday’s block party as one of our featured beer specials! This one-of-a-kind beer for hockey fans will also be available in the arena this weekend and throughout the season at Goose Island Bar, River City Pub, and our new beer stand near Oink Outfitters.

Activities for all ages will include:

• Chicago Blackhawks Street Team with inflatable hockey rink
• Cornhole, Giant Jenga and Giant Connect 4 with the IceHogs
  
• Spin the wheel and win some SWAG from Hard Rock Casino - Rockford
• Axe throwing with Big Timber

Oh yeah, after the party, there's also a game! The IceHogs open the season against the defending Calder Cup champion Chicago Wolves with puck drop at 7 p.m.! While you do not need a ticket for the block party, you will need a ticket for the game. So get yours now...