06/18/2026
Who started this Civic Committee? Why do we do what we do? Here’s today’s history lesson:
Joe Marino was born and raised in Rockford, IL. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the South Pacific on the Destroyer U.S.S. Henderson. After returning home Joe took an interest in organizing community events, which Rockford had been lacking at the time.
In 1963, at the request of Mayor Ben Schleicher, he created the Rockford 4th of July Civic Committee. With community donations, Joe purchased fireworks and provided Rockford with it's first downtown fireworks show. Today the Civic Committee's events entertain hundreds of thousands of people each year.
In 1989 Joe organized the Holiday Festival of Lights, which enthralls carloads of state-line citizens with a one-mile loop thru Rockford's historic Sinnissippi Park, adorned with colorful lighted displays. The annually-changing displays are sponsored by local businesses and community groups.
Joe continued to be the Chairman of the Rockford 4th of July and Holiday Festival of Lights Committees, which are non-profit entities, solely supported by private donations, not tax dollars, for 55 years.
Joe passed away on November 21, 2018. The small civic committee today consists of local Rockfordians and is now led by Joe’s Grandson and Nephew. The civic committee that Joe started will continue this work of organizing these events until they are told otherwise.
