12-04-2022 2:23am

Dueling Pianos return to entertain capacity crowd at American Center

Most of the crowd attending the Dueling Pianos concert at the American Center, Friday evening, Dec. 2, were dressed in creative Christmas sweaters, including Maddy Dobnick and Haden Jones.

Back by popular demand, Dueling Pianos returned to Rockton for the 2022 Christmas Walk. The show, sponsored by the Village of Rockton, sold out weeks ago. Eager fans filled the American Center, Friday evening, Dec. 2, 2022.

The entertaining performance not only kicked of this year’s Christmas Walk, it also gave folks permission to dig out those gaudy Christmas sweaters, the uglier the better.

Billed as Felix and Fingers, the Chicago-based musicians, Maddy Ludwig and Katrina Nelsen, interacted with the exuberant audience and kept the crowd clapping and dancing.

An on-line auction was held throughout the evening. Guests bid on festive baskets loaded with goodies lining the walls of the American Center.

The on-line auction was presented by the Rockton Lions Club. Proceeds benefited the Wimpy Christmas Fund.

Wimpy was the nickname for Everett Vaughan, a generous and much-loved Rockton Police chief who brought food, clothing and Christmas presents to needy families.

After his passing in 1997, his friends and family kept the tradition alive. A few years ago, the Rockton Lions Club stepped in and continued Wimpy’s Fund. The yearly event has provided assistance to hundreds of families in Rockton during the Christmas season.