A look behind the scenes of Rockton Christmas Walk's rich 40 year history

This story is a special dedication to all who came before today's Christmas Walk. In fond remembrance of Barb Cannell, Katie Cronin, Ruth Pennycook, Larry Weber, Bruce Werrbach, and Sharon Wolfe. 

Rockton's Christmas Walk holds a rich history, one that dates back to 1984 when business woman Barb Cannell found a way to draw people buying Christmas trees at local tree farms to visit Rockton's downtown and to keep them there.

Cannell, Steve Pomahac and Ruth Pennycook teamed up to organize an event featuring local downtown businesses. A two day weekend event was born out of this idea. Visitors would walk door to door checking out what talented crafters had to offer. Santa came in on a wagon.

Changes were made by the next event. Costumes were rented. As time went on, people began making Frosty, Rudolph and elf costumes. Over the years visitors were greeted by characters who gave out candy canes.

Lighting of the Village Green Park was initiated in 1983. Rockton resident Larry Weber created a unique makeshift type of lighted tree which sat inside the pool fence. The next year Weber worked alongside Village President Bill Vedra.

After expanding decorations, the park building was lit up that year. Red bows surrounded the entire building. It started to catch on that Rockton was Christmas ready.

Students at Rockton Grade School made bird seed ornaments which they had hung on small trees in the park. President Vedra would say, "Larry, light the lights," and everyone in attendance echoed the same words.

Santa's arrival (in more recent years on a fire truck) and youth from area schools singing Christmas carols are traditions started in those days that are carried into today's event. A table was set up where hot cider was enjoyed.

By 1987 the Our Town Committee began decorating the Village Green Park. Leading this charge was Katie Cronin and a strong base of community volunteers.
During the third year of the Our Town Committee's dedicated work, Frank Saladino of the Rockton Public Works got involved. In his 20 year tenure with the Village of Rockton, Saladino oversaw the decorating of the park for a total of 17 years. He directed volunteers on locations of decorations and positioning, added flood lights and did all of the wiring for 12 of those years.

"Bruce Werrbach did it prior to me," Saladino said. "There were years that no one showed up to decorate, so my wife and I did it. The people in the Sunday program were also lots of help in bringing out lights, checking them and putting decorations away after the season."

After Katie Cronin's passing, the Rockton Chamber and others continue to honor her memory with a special ceremony and lighting of Katie's tree in the Village Green Park. Sharon Wolfe, also a member of the Our Town committee, was honored with a donation of two decorations given in her memory during the 2000 Christmas Walk.

For a number of years, decorations were stored in a trailer that the Our Town Rockton committee purchased at Finnegan's RV Center.

Different volunteers used materials to make cut outs that could be painted or drawn on, said Pomahac.

During her time as the event chair, Michelle Marella took the initiative to start an Adopt a Display in hopes of improving and preserving decorations in need of fresh paint or repair.

Luminaries were purchased and placed all over town. Kelly Sand and Gravel supplied the sand. Terry Peterson, with Rockton Shared Vision Project, and other volunteers prepared luminaries to be purchased. In 2023 and 2024 the Cronin family sponsored community luminaries.

Prince of Peace Church served hot chocolate at the Lighting of the Park for a total of 18 years. Following suit was Macktown Lions Club who served in this capacity starting in 2019.

After traveling to another small town, Barb Cannell saw a lighted Christmas parade. Inspired by what she saw, Cannell pitched an idea to the Chamber of Commerce. By the early nineties, Steve Pomahac organized Rockton's first Lighted Christmas Parade.

"Our first lighted parade had 20 entries," Pomahac said. "The last time I ran the parade we had between 100-125 entries."

"To keep massive crowds of spectators from getting too close to the streets we put up barricades. This allowed floats to get through smoothly," Pomahac said.
Parade routes have changed over the years.

Helping Pomahac with parade line up and setting up barricades was a core group of around 10 friends, some non-Rockton residents, or business owners, and the Rockton Police Department.

"They just all knew how to do it and they got it done," reflects Pomahac.
Parade floats were judged in various categories with winners receiving a nice plaque.

Popular events over the years have included craft shows, the Prince of Peace Cookie Walk, Breakfast with Santa, The Rockton United Methodist Church chili supper, and food at the American Legion.

Entertainment such as dance troupes, quartets, the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, Dueling Pianos, and a community cantata directed by Steve Hamill of St. Andrew Church. Breakfast at Macktown was also very popular.

One year a live early morning radio remote provided the perfect kick off to the Christmas Walk.

Live reindeer and handlers proved to be a true highlight of the 2000 walk. The Stateline's Got Talent was a popular attraction under the direction of Julie Mischler for many years.

House decorating, business and a tree decorating contests drew great interest. Stars of Rockton were honored.

Santa welcomed little ones to tell him Christmas wishes.

The Santa house was either located in the Village Park or between the Rockton Village Hall and Rockton Inn Pub and Grub.

In more recent years Santa has been housed in the Dairyhaus. at Settlers Park and in the Rockton Village Municipal Center.

In 2021 COVID-19 limited some of the activities but new additions came along. One highlight from that Christmas Walk was ponies that young ones could visit along with their owners.

Another was the beginning of lighted displays at Settler s Park where the addition of a full size Christmas Tree attracted extra spirit in 2023.

The Wimpy's Fund Auction, run through the Rockton Lions Club, have become the perfect way to round out each Saturday evening.

Director of Parks and Recreation Don Self oversees decorating of the Village Green Park. Rockton Public Works assists in this beautification.

Members of the Rockton Lions Club add Christmas spirits by decorating planters both in the downtown.

The tradition of horse drawn carriage or wagon rides is still a huge draw today!

Our reporter Marianne Mueller was chairwoman for the Christmas Walk committee for several years.