ROCKFORD, Ill. — The annual Stroll on State event marked the start of the holiday season in downtown Rockford. Despite the festive atmosphere, this year's event faced challenges due to winter weather.

"It was a beautiful, winter wonderland kind of experience downtown," said John Groh, President and CEO of GoRockford.

However, the snowstorm impacted local vendors, leaving them with unsold goods. Yoselyn Garcia, owner of Taco'N Madres food truck, expressed the difficulty of the situation.

"It was hard. It was hard throwing away all that food or giving away that food because it was not cheap," Garcia said.

In previous years, Garcia has made up to $8,000 in sales at the event. This year, the adverse weather resulted in only 26 sales, forcing her to give away hot chocolate due to the surplu

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