The City of Rock Island and Rock Island Downtown Alliance are holding a photo contest to celebrate the installation of 4½-foot-tall steel “ROCK ISLAND” letters and the conversion of a parking lot into usable green space at the corner of 2nd Avenue and 18th
Street, a news release says.
The contest runs now through Thursday, July 31. Participants are encouraged to flex their creativity by taking photos of the block letters to celebrate the character of the community.
Photos must be shared publicly on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #downtownrockisland no later than midnight July 31. Participants can submit multiple photos, which may be taken at any time day or night (under the lights) and contain people,
pets or just the letters framed in an artistic way.
“I invite residents and visitors to show their love for Rock Island by participating in this fun
contest,” said Mayor Ashley Harris. “The newly installed block letters offer a great
opportunity to capture creative photos, and this is a special way we can all celebrate the
revitalization of our downtown and the spirit of Rock Island.”
Winners will be recognized during the Aug. 25 Rock Island City Council meeting and
presented with the following prizes:
1st Place | Suite Staycation
- Dinner and Show at Circa ’21 ($140 gift card for two tickets)
- One-night stay at Holiday Inn ($150 gift card for one room)
- Drinks at Icons Martini ($25 gift card)
- Carry-out snacks at Healthy Harvest Urban Farms ($20 gift card)
2nd Place | Shopping Spree
- Lunch at Roosters Sports Bar & Grill ($35 gift card)
- Manicure at Lavish Salon and Spa ($30 gift card)
- Clothing/accessories at Brick and Motor Boutique ($25 gift card)
- Vinyl, CDs and more at Ragged Records & Music ($25 gift card)
- Vintage finds at Skeleton Key Art & Antiques ($25 gift card)
3rd Place | Daring Destinations
- The Gangsters and Ghosts Tour by QC Haunts & History ($40 gift card for two
tickets) - Escape Room Experience at Skellington Manor ($30 gift card for 4-8 players)
- Drinks at Wake Brewing ($15 gift card)
Honorable Mention | Cultural Course
- Admission to Quad City Botanical Center ($20 gift card for two tickets)
- Drinks and bites at Rozz-Tox ($20 gift card)
- Staff-guided tour of Quad City Arts Gallery
The unveiling of the green lawn and “ROCK ISLAND” letters mark an exciting milestone
for the City of Rock Island’s Rebuild Downtown Project, which is nearing completion.
Crews have finished the underground infrastructure improvements at the intersection
of 3rd Avenue and 19th Street and began paving the area on Friday, getting one step
closer to reopening the busy corridor to traffic.
Final pieces of the project include the installation of the “Welcome to Downtown Rock Island” sign on the archway at 1st Avenue and 18th Street, planned for later this summer.