6-13-2023 12:17pm

Rockton Lions Club OSD bringing summer fun back to Stateline

DALL-E AI prompt: old settler at a concert

The Stateline is heading into four days of summer fun from June 15 until June 18 as the Rockton Lions Club OSD Festival (Old Settlers Days) makes its annual return. Its 23 year history promises many festival favorites, along with top quality entertainment. The festival draws thousands of people into Rockton every year.

Settlers Park will feature a full midway complete with games, the best in festival style foods, and rides to take a spin on from Skinner's Amusements.

Gates open to the festival grounds on Thursday, June 15 at 4 p.m.

Begin your OSD journey by giving the gift of life at the OSD Blood Drive. Rockton Lions are partnering with the Rock Valley Blood Center.

Volunteers from the Lions Club and American Legion Ladies Auxiliary will be welcoming donors from 1-8 p.m. at the Rockton American Legion (American Center). Give blood and earn a free four day general admission pass to get into the festival. Those who donate a pair of eyeglasses will receive a second pass.

Headlining on the Main stage are: Mitchell Tenpenny with opening act Lily Rose on Thursday night. Friday night is Marcus King with Megan McRee, Saturday night is Jackson Dean with Mackenzie Carpenter. On Sunday evening Josh Turner takes the stage with Mo Pitney.

Each day of the festival, local bands are featured in the Apex beer tent. Listen to the sound of different genres by Minimal, Blind Date, Lizzi Neal Band, Rollin' Whiskey, Bree Morgan and Dirty Fishnet Stockings.

No extra tickets are needed to listen to entertainment in the beer tent. A general admission pass is required for entry for everyone, except those 12 and younger. Main stage concert tickets require a ticket for all ages. There are no refunds. This event is rain or shine!

Start Saturday morning, June 17 off by taking part in person at the 5K Run for Carrie Lynn, or by signing up to do the Zero-K.

The cost for each participant is $40 a person. The run kicks off at 7:45 a.m., with a presentation of colors, followed by the National Anthem. Runners will start their course at 8 a.m. Walkers and Zero-K starts at 8:10 a.m. The 5K starts and ends at the Hononegah High School parking lot.

There will be different age divisions. Swag bags add to the fun of the event which includes an OSD Tech-shirt, and an OSD four day festival pass, plus other race related goods.

An awards presentation will follow the race.

Registration can be done on the OSD Carrie Lynn Run sign up page, or in person the day of the race. More information on the race can be found on Facebook.

The OSD parade planned for noon on Saturday is always a main attraction to the festival weekend. This parade is known to provide a high quality great time with candy being thrown from cars along with other surprises. It is full of community spirit every year! To sign up to enter the parade, go to the parade entry form on the OSD page.

An informational booth will be on site and vendors will have interesting things to offer.

High level sponsors qualify to enter the Lions Club VIP tent. Food, beverage choices, and ideal seating for concerts is included.

Stateline Mass Transit District (SMTD) makes it easier to getting into the festival. They are partnering with the Lions Club by offering free shuttle bus service from the Hononegah High school parking lot to the festival grounds, all four days. This service is a long standing partnership between SMTD and the Rockton Lions Club.

Sales of the Hefty 50/50 gives festival fans a chance to win a minimum prize of $5,000 or higher based on ticket sales. Tickets will be available for purchase online or from any Rockton Lion in person or at the festival. The winner does not need to be present to win.

Topping off this four day festival, a stunning fireworks display will fill the sky!

Each year, an all volunteer committee starts planning the previous August for this mega four day event. The Rockton Lions Club works closely with the Village of Rockton, Village Public Works Department and Rockton Police Department to offer something for everyone to the Stateline. Extra volunteer opportunities are plentiful for anyone wanting to help the community!

A full schedule of events, ticket pricing, specials, and details on different sections of this year’s festival can be found on the Rockton Lions Club Old Settlers Days website.

In 2018 the Rockton Lions Club was presented with a RAMI- Rockford Area Music Industry Award for the Rockton Lions Club Old Settlers Days.

Profits of the OSD festival will be given back to the community through various donations. Some of the organizations assisted by the Rockton Lions Club include The Center for Sight and Hearing, Carrie Lynn Center, Boy Scout Troop #619, Girl Scouts, Talcott Library, and the Old Stone Church Food Pantry.