9th Rockton Yeti Fest celebrates winter and yetis

Rockton Yeti Fest 2024 is putting the fun in this winter with four days of action. This year marks the ninth of this now popular and anticipated event. This family friendly event grows in popularity each year along with an increase in activities to participate in during the four day event starting on Feb. 7 through Feb. 10, 2024 in Rockton, IL.

Yeti Fest 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.”

The elusive yeti is rumored to inhabit the Himalaya mountains, but this family fun event allows everyone in the Stateline area to have the ideal dose of winter fun, as they walk, play, or skate like a yeti. You will find the live Yeti, as well as cute stuffed yetis, in different locations in Rockton throughout the weekend.

UPDATE: Snow sculpting was canceled because of weather.

In preparation of this year's Snow Sculpting Exhibition at Settlers Park, the “Legion of Snow Sculptors” are seeking help from the public. Sign up yourself, family and friends for Friday through Sunday, Jan. 26-28, 2024 to assist in making snow and blocks for talented teams of sculptors to use in their detailed creations for an exhibition.  Snow sculpting is expected to start on Wednesday, February 7.

Doggie Development Academy's high flying Huskies sled dog team will be doing mushing demonstrations on Friday evening starting at 4 p.m until 7 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. After watching the sled dog teams in action, guests will have a chance to meet and greet them and their owners.

Adults can warm up by putting on their best or cutest onesie to wear to a pub crawl on Friday night. Stop by Rookie's, Pokie's, Ye Olde Pub, Al's Main St. Tap, the American Legion, Fibs, and Rockton Inn to have your card stamped. Turn in the card for a chance to win a prize.

Weather permitting- all are invited to help build a giant community snow fort in Settlers Park.

Saturday morning promises to start off with a dance party from 11 a.m. until 12. Young or young at heart can dance with the Yeti at the Settlers Park gazebo.

Any time throughout the festival, you can take part in a combination scavenger hunt and bingo game.  This portion of Yeti Fest starts on Wednesday, Feb. 8 and runs until Saturday. It can be done all at once or in the four days.

• Print out the scavenger hunt sheet, posted on Facebook on Monday, Feb. 5. A limited amount of sheets will be available  at Village Hall starting that same week.
• On the back of the sheet is the list of participating locations to visit.
• Stuffed yetis to be found are set to be hidden in plain sight at different locations.
• Once you spot a yeti, write the name of the store in marker in the corresponding space on the card. If you get two traditional bingos - either five across, down or a diagonal - you win a prize.
• Prize pick up is at the Rockton Village Hall on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 from 1-4 p.m.

Always a proven favorite is the Hot Cocoa Crawl, which is coming back on Saturday, Feb. 10 from 1-4 p.m. Tickets are on sale now to allow participants a chance to try a variety of flavors in a commemorative mug, complete with a cool stirring spoon at a cost of $12. After you purchase your tickets, pick them up at the Village Municipal Center (Village Hall), 110 E Main St, the week before the event during office hours of 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or the day of the event starting at 1 p.m. After visiting all the places and tasting all the hot chocolate, stop into the Village Hall to vote on your favorite flavor.

All are invited to dress in their best 90's fashion while Livin' la Vida '90s at the second annual Snow Ball on Saturday evening. Put on your dancing shoes starting at 8 p.m. with music provided by a DJ as you transport back to another era in the Rockton American Center, 221 W Main St. Buy tickets  in advance for $10 or $15 at the door.

Local businesses will be open throughout the festival, offering Yeti specials on eating, drinking, shopping, or inside activities. More details and event times can be found on Facebook.