12-03-2021 3:01am

It's the Rockton Christmas Walk and all is merry and bright

Michael McGinnis Editor

Luminaries along the sidewalk in Rockton, IL

With a high of 50, it's going to be a great day as the 37th Annual Rockton Christmas Walk begins on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021 and continues through Sunday, Dec. 5. Each day, Rockton-Roscoe News bring you each day's schedule, highlights, and updates. Consult the official Rockton Christmas Walk website and Facebook page for the latest changes.

Friday's events include a wine tasting, your Christmas greeting in the news, a live Christmas musical show, the Ugly Christmas Sweater Pub Crawl, Dueling Pianos, A John Denver Christmas Concert. But first, the Lighting of the Lighted Displays:

At 5:00 p.m., as my grandmother would say, "On come the lights!" in Settlers Park overlooking the Rock River. Originally devised as a pandemic replacement for the Lighted Parade, the Lighted Displays proved so popular that they're back this year. They will be lit each evening from Dec. 3 through Jan. 6, created by the following local businesses and organizations.

Friday's Schedule, Dec. 3, 2021

All weekend - Lighted Displays

Stroll the paths at Settlers Park to enjoy lighted displays created by our local businesses and organizations, each evening between Dec. 3 through Jan. 6, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Settlers Park, 150 E. Hawick St.

All weekend - Christmas Photo Setting
Bring the family down early to Rockton Garden Works, across Blackhawk Blvd. from Settlers Park, for a picturesque Christmas photo in front of the store. Capture this year's holiday cheer for years to come. Afterwards, stroll inside among the festive store and check out our special weekend sales.

Rockton Garden Works, 130 S. Blackhawk Blvd.

All weekend - Rockton Lions Wimpy's Fund Auction

Join the Rockton Lions Club in their biggest Wimpy’s Fund fundraiser all year. All proceeds go to purchasing Christmas dinners and presents for area families in need. Read the full Wimpy’s Fund history.

Online beginning Nov. 23, but in person at the American Center, 221 W. Main St. after the parade

Online – Log in and view baskets here.

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Friday Evening

5:00 p.m. - Lighted Displays

Thanks to local businesses and organizations for stepping up and helping create local holiday cheer by decorating displays at Settlers Park. Walk the path to see these festive lighted creations (see listing above). The displays will be lit up evenings through Jan. 6.

Settlers Park, 150 E. Hawick St.

5:00-7:00 p.m. - Wine Tasting Event with Southern Glazer's

The public is welcome to join After The Vine as they host a representative from Southern Glazer’s for a special wine tasting event featuring several wines from their portfolio, including the very popular Gemma Di Luna Moscato.

After the Vine, 163 Hawick St.

5:00-7:00 p.m. - Put Your Christmas Greeting in the News
Have your Christmas greeting published for free in Rockton-Roscoe News. It might even get mentioned by an emcee during the Lighted Parade!

Settlers Park, 150 E. Hawick St.

7:00 p.m. - A Christmas Carol

Live musical based on Charles Dickens’ classic story, with music by eight-time Academy Award-winning composer Alan Menken. The beloved show was produced at Madison Square Garden 10 years in a row. Presented by the young actors, singers and dancers of CYT Chicago (Rockford Area), so it's appropriate for the entire family and an excellent way to introduce children to the arts!

Tickets: $15 online (coupon code: CYTChristmas), $17 at the door.

Hononegah Performing Arts Center, 307 Salem St.

7:00 p.m. to close - Ugly Christmas Sweater Pub Crawl

The easiest pub crawl you’ll ever participate in. Grab your friends, grab your family, put on those ugly Christmas sweaters, and bop around downtown Rockton for the ugliest fun all year. There happen to be several pubs to choose from in Rockton, and several are located right downtown.

Downtown Rockton

7:00 p.m. - Dueling Pianos

SOLD OUT. It’s officially not Grandma’s Christmas Walk anymore. We’re bringing in Felix & Fingers Dueling Pianos to entertain us with some dueling piano fun. A cash bar will be available for those who need a little liquid encouragement to sing along in public in an ugly sweater. So attendees can participate in the Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl afterwards, the show will finish by 9:00 p.m. Proceeds will help fund updates for the Village Green Park holiday decorations.

Tickets: $25, required for entry. Purchase tickets here.

American Center, 221 W. Main St. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

7:30 p.m. - A John Denver Christmas Concert

Free. The Old Stone Church is hosting a live concert of John Denver music featuring many of his holiday classics and other favorites, performed by Bob Wang. The lineup of songs will include Aspenglow, Christmas for Cowboys, a Baby Just Like You, Annie's Song, Take Me Home Country Roads, Thank God I'm a Country Boy, and many more. Guaranteed to warm your hearts. The concert will begin around 7:30, but please feel free to join us around 7:00 to take a look at baskets from area vendors available for raffle. There will be an intermission with light refreshments served. There is no fee for the concert, but a free will offering is appreciated. The church is known as the provider and host of Rockton's food pantry. Wang has presented Denver's music at Christmastime for years in Wisconsin and Illinois.

The Old Stone Church Sanctuary, 101 E. Union St.