Rockford, Illinois: Home of the Sock Monkey
Birthplace of the famous Nelson Red Heel sock. Has a sock monkey sort-of museum, six-foot-tall fiberglass sock monkeys scattered around town, and an annual Sock Monkey Madness Festival in early March.
Midway Village and Museum Center
- Address:
- 6799 Guilford Rd, Rockford, IL
- Directions:
- Midway Village and Museum Center. On Guilford Rd just west of Perryville Rd and north of US Hwy 20/State St.
- Hours:
- Summer T-Su 10:30 am - 4 pm; fewer days and hours off-season (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 815-397-9112
- Admission:
- Adults $5, Under 17 $3.
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
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Visitor Tips and News About Home of the Sock Monkey
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The history of Sock Monkey (Rockford was a producer of socks for the military during WWII) is explained as one exhibit in a local museum. Also features the history of the Rockford Peaches women's baseball team from the 1940s. Gift shop features various Sock Monkey themed merchandise.
[Clark W, 09/06/2021]This museum is great! Not only sock monkeys, but the All American Women's Baseball League Rockford Peaches and the first American female aviator and tons more! You could easily spend an entire day.
[M*A*C, 08/10/2012]Museum and center is closed on Mondays! If you just want to buy a sock monkey, you don't pay admission.
[Brooke, 11/23/2010]
The Sock Monkey Madness Festival in Rockford, IL is the place for stocking simians to meet and celebrate!
We went to the weekend-long festival in March this year and were very amused. It is hosted by the Midway Village & Museum Center (home of the sock monkey patent) and features vendors, crafts, make-your-own-monkeys, activities, a lecture on sock monkey history, a film festival, and the Miss Sockford Pageant. It was highly attended and everyone really was in the spirit.
The highlights were the Sock Monkey Lecture, where we navigated the complex and intriguing history of the cuddly toy (people sued for the patent rights); the Film Festival where everyone was encouraged to submit films featuring sock monkeys; and the Miss Sockford Pageant, a beauty contest where kids and adults set their monkeys forth to present their beauty, congeniality, and talents. This year's adult winner was a rapping Scarlet O'Hara sock monkey.
[Katy Spindler, 05/11/2009]Assortment of 6-foot Sock Monkeys throughout the area honoring Rockford, IL as the birthplace of the iconic apes.
[John R. Connell, 04/14/2008]Page of 2 [Next 1 items]
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