ROCKFORD Rockford City Market vendors said they felt a renewed vibrancy Friday as they returned downtown with 54 market booths, an expanded footprint, new attractions and live music after last season was marred by a deadly pandemic and unrest in the streets.
Now in its 12th season, Rockford City Market drew a steady stream of visitors despite rain early in the evening that sent Bill Boyle of William Boyle Chair Maker scrambling to attach the sides of his canopy to keep his handcrafted chairs dry.
A commercial insurance agent for three decades, Boyle started woodworking as a hobby several years ago and became so good at it that he started selling the chairs and has made it into a side business. This is his first time operating a booth at City Market.