Saturday at the Rockton Christmas Walk

The Rockton Christmas Walk keeps up the pace today with almost twenty events to choose from at various locations in Rockton. Scroll down to view recent photos. The festivities continue 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.

Things you can do Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021:

Today you can: Eat a pancake breakfast with Santa at the American Legion, shop at the Craft and Bake Sale at the Rockton United Methodist Church, paint a Board Make & Take at Erica’s Board Creations, celebrate Christmas at Whitman's at Macktown Living History, enjoy the River City Sound Chorus Sweet Adelines at Settlers Park, make and take Coco the Penguin or else pick up a Take it Then Make it Kit at Jill Rae Finally Art Gallery, or get your Christmas greeting in the news at the Village Hall.

Food trucks on Main Street: Cantina Taco and The Olive Branch, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

In the storefronts across the street from Settlers Park, you can: write letters to Santa at Edward Jones-Brenda Brugger, but take pictures with Santa at the Settlers Park Gazebo (Santa must want to keep his affairs separate), ride in a horse-drawn carriage, make an ornament at Healing Touch or a hot chocolate spoons at The Mix.

You can also: drop off donations for Wimpy's Fund at Positive Changes Chiropractic and be dazzled by A Christmas Carol at Hononegah Performing Arts Center.

Not to mention: roast s'mores and listen to carols at Village Green Park, and then the official lighting of the park at 5:00 p.m.

And at 6:00 p.m., watch the Lighted Parade travel along Main Street. We think your high-tech phone will be able to pick up the QR code from the side of our Rockton-Roscoe News "Electronic Newspaper" car. Our editor is expected to be walking in front waving while our newsboys hand out chocolate. Jean Seegers, our senior correspondent, and Indigo Sterud, our associate photo editor, will be covering other events during the weekend.

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All weekend - Lighted Displays

Sugar Britches has created a full-size "Candy Land" in their own corner of Settlers Park. Stroll the paths 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 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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Saturday Events – Dec. 4:

7:00-11:00 a.m. - Pancake Breakfast with Santa

The Rockton Lions Club annual pancake breakfast with special guest – Santa!

Cost: $5

American Center, 221 W. Main St.

9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - Craft and Bake Sale

Holiday crafts galore and baked goods for sale until they run out.

Rockton United Methodist Church, 102 W. Chapel St.

10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. -Board Make & Takes

Christmas Walk Weekend has always been a favorite of ours and we are so excited to have you back in the shop to paint with us. We have boards already sanded and stain, ready to paint, prices ranging from $10-$25. This is a walk-in event, there is no ticket or reservation required. Stop by and take a break from the shopping.

Erica’s Board Creations, 122 S. Prairie St. 

11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. - Christmas at Whitman's

Step back in time to the 1800s with a visit to the Macktown Living History Center. The store will be open for viewing and holiday gift buying from 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.. Don’t miss the ornament-making activity from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Come dusk, the path from the visitors center to the Whitman’s Trading Post will be lit, and at 7:00 p.m. visitors can gather around a bonfire with caroling, hot cocoa and cookies.

Macktown Living History Center, 2221 Freeport Rd.

11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. - Food Trucks on Main Street

Cantina Taco and The Olive Branch will be providing tasty things.

Downtown Rockton, including 122 W Main St.

11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. - River City Sound Chorus Sweet Adelines

The River City Sound Chorus Sweet Adelines will be serenading us with holiday tunes at Settlers Park. Listeners are welcome to bring a lawn chair to sit back, relax and enjoy the entire performance in comfort. A limited amount of benches and picnic table seating will also be available, or just enjoy as you wait for Santa and your horse carriage rides.

Settlers Park, 150 E. Hawick St.

10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - Put Your Christmas Greeting in the News
Have your Christmas greeting published in Rockton-Roscoe News. It might even get mentioned by an emcee during the Lighted Parade! Come by the Village Hall to meet some of our reporters and editors. Jean Seegers will be there at 2:00 p.m.

Village Hall, 110 E. Main St.

11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. - Make 'n Takes

Make this holiday memorable with “Coco the Christmas Penguin”! All materials included to paint your very own 4½" ceramic penguin. Walk-ins welcome.

Cost: $8

Jill Rae Finally Art, 210 W. Main St.

11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. - Take it Then Make it Kits

Make this holiday memorable with take home kits that include all materials needed for you and yours to create a lovely holiday keepsake like ornaments, paintings, gnomes, and snow globes and create a new family tradition.

Jill Rae Finally Art, 210 W. Main St.

12:00-4:00 p.m. - Letters to Santa

Stop by Edward Jones Financial Advisor – Brenda Brugger’s office to write those letters to Santa while you wait for carriage rides. Brenda’s office is warm and cozy, and she has the official Santa’s mailbox right out front of her door so you won’t forget to mail that letter. The mailbox will stay up through Dec. 24, so don’t hesitate to drop off your letters if you want to make sure Santa gets those wishlists.

Edward Jones – Brenda Brugger, 167 Hawick Street

12:00-4:00 p.m. - Pictures with Santa

Free photos with Santa Claus

Settlers Park Gazebo, 150 E. Hawick Street

12:00-4:00 p.m. - Horse Drawn Carriage Rides

The tradition continues. Horse drawn carriages will be at the Christmas walk in the afternoon. You can board your free ride at Sanctuary Spa, 175 E. Hawick Street.

Settlers Park, starting at 175 E. Hawick Street

12:00-4:00 p.m. - Ornament Making

Make an ornament at Healing Touch Acupuncture while you wait for your horse and carriage ride.

Healing Touch Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine, 179 Hawick St.

1:00-3:00 p.m. - Hot Chocolate Spoons

Adult and kid-friendly - Stop by the Mix to make hot chocolate stir spoons.

The Mix, 151 Hawick Street

1:00-3:00 p.m. - Wimpy's Fund Holiday Donation Drop Off

Join Positive Changes Chiropractic in spreading cheer this holiday season! Drop off new toys, clothes, blankets, or a monetary donation for boys and girls of all ages as Wimpy’s Fund prepares to bring full holiday joy to area families again this year.

Positive Changes Chiropractic, 202 W. Main St.

2:00 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 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.

3:00-5:00 p.m. - Lighting of the Park with S'more-the-Size-of-Your-Fist-Roasting

Starting at 3:00 p.m., Sugar Britches will have a s’mores roasting station, then the Willowbrook Middle School choir will be treating us to some carols at 4:00 p.m. This festive location will then turn nice and bright with the official lighting of the park at 5:00 p.m.

Village Green Park, 100 E. Chapel St.

6:00 p.m. - Lighted Christmas Parade

The long-awaited return of the Lighted Parade down Main Street! The parade begins at the intersection of Main Street and Center Street (near the American Legion Hall) and continues east along Main Street, concluding at Hononegah High School. Parade entries are expected from the Stenstrom Companies, Rockton-Roscoe News, Anytime Fitness, Apex General Contracting, Complete Mechanical Solutions, Cross and Crown Lutheran Church, My Design Elements, Erica's Board Creations, First National Bank, Bach Insurance, Loves Park Motorsports, Marys Market, Old Stone Preschool, Positive Changes Chiropractic, Massie Heating and Air Conditioning, Stateline Mass Transit District, Sugar Britches, Stateline STEM for Kids, and others.

Downtown Rockton

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 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.

Ongoing and after the parade - 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.

In person after the parade at the American Center, 221 W. Main St. 

Online – View baskets here.

More News from Rockton

• Whiskey Hotel Barbecue’s grand opening is a smokin’ success Roscoe's new barbecue business at 5522 Elevator Road is open from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Thursday - Sunday.
• Nancy Mohns volunteered at church over the years Visitation will be Friday and Saturday, May 3, 2024, with memorial service Saturday at noon.