10th annual Rockton Yeti Fest bringing back winter fun

The Rockton Yeti Fest, running from Wednesday, Feb. 5 until Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, is billed as “a festival where the abominable snow people of Rockton and their friends come out to enjoy a mixture of winter related activities and is a celebration of all things winter and of course it all revolves around yetis.”

Normally the elusive yeti is rumored to inhabit the Himalaya mountains, but right here in Rockton, Illinois, the 2025 Yeti Fest promises days of winter fun for everyone. Visitors can walk, play, or skate like a yeti.

Teams that make up “The Legion of Snow Sculptors” are prepared to bring their detailed, eye-catching designs to stunning ice sculptures and adding extra style to the overall Yeti Fest.

Even though the temperatures have been balmy, it won't slow down the skilled hands of Vikings In Black, The Slackers, Snow Rippers, Snow Sultans, The Gnomeskulls, and Grueiz. A snow making machine, set up by the Rockton Village's Public Works Department, will cover any lack of frozen white building materials.

Doggie Development Academy's High Flying Huskies Sled Dog team will pick up speed on the bike path and grassy sections of Settler's Park with dog sledding on wheels, led by a handler. Times run from 4 - 6:30 p.m. on Friday evening and around every hour on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. After watching the teams in action, guests have a chance to meet and greet the dogs.

Adults are encouraged to don their best or cutest onesie to wear at a pub crawl on Friday night. Stops on the crawl included Rookie's, Pokie's, Ye Olde Pub, Al's Main Street Tap, the American Legion, Fibs, Rockton Inn Pub and Grub, and Salli's Slots. At each location pub crawl, participants can have a card stamped, to be turned in for a chance to win a prize.

Look for a live yeti in different Rockton locations all four days who will greet young and young at heart. Saturday morning starts off with a one hour dance party with the yeti at the Settler's Park gazebo, beginning at 11 a.m. Young and old are assured a great time while creating great memories of this special time with the yeti.

Making a return is a scavenger hunt for stuffed yetis hidden inside Rockton businesses. Scavenger hunt sheets can be picked up at the Village Hall, various 0ther locations, or downloaded from Rockton-Roscoe News [PDF]. The back has a list of participating locations to visit.

After spotting a yeti, write the number of the store in marker in the corresponding space on the sheet, next to the matching yeti. Find at least 15 yetis out of a total of 33 places to potentially visit, and you win a prize.

Scavenger hunters have the option of doing the hunt all at once, or they can complete it over the four days of Yeti Fest, during business hours. If a business is closed, please move on to the next one who is open, if you can't see the yeti by peering through the window.

Always a proven favorite, the Hot Cocoa Crawl will feature unique flavors made on Saturday, Feb. 8. Purchase and pick up your commemorative yeti themed tumbler at the Village Hall. After visiting participating businesses, crawlers stop into the Village Hall to vote on a favorite flavor.

DeeDee's Main Street Coffee and Decor was last year's winner. They are sure to put on their competitive hats in this friendly competition, with more than five other locations to visit. This year's Hot Cocoa Crawl is generously being sponsored by C.E.S., Inc.

Local businesses are open and offer yeti specials on eating, drinking, shopping, or inside activities.

• Check out adorable yeti shaped cookies or other specialty sweets from Sugar Britches.
• Kiss Glass is offering a “Yeti to Play” box complete with a pipe, a Kiss Glass temporary tattoo and a special surprise.
• The Gem Shop and Diamond Source are offering a discount of 20% off of everything in the store.
• Inside of Ric-Rac Embellishments and Gifts, make a purchase and enter to win a winter gift basket. Find a yeti in the store and get a treat. Show your Yeti Fest spirit by purchasing themed shirts, in addition to other cool pieces.