Old Settlers Days Festival: special moments captured, memories made

Mega sized crowds poured into Settlers Park in Rockton from June 12-15, 2025 and found four days of family fun at the Rockton Lions Club Old Settlers Days.

Numerous community volunteers work on the scene to help with ticket sales, admission, working in the beer tent or cleaning up the grounds.

An all volunteer committee starts planning for this mega four day event in August. The Rockton Lions Club works closely with the Village of Rockton, Village Public Works Department and Rockton Police Department to bring a festival to the Stateline offering something for everyone.

Thursday was the first day of the event, opening with the OSD blood drive, held at the American Center. The drive was organized by John Schamell. All blood donors, as well as donors of used glasses, received a free festival pass.

At the Old Settlers Days blood drive:

• Total Attempted: 198 donors
• Total Units Collected: 162 donations
• First-time Blood Donors: 10 donors
• Lives Saved: 486

The Lions of Illinois Foundation also did free hearing testing.

Gates to the midway opened to spirited adventure, along with the best selection of carnival food, and games by Skinner's Amusements.

Rides offered something for every size.

Little ones rode on elephants, hot air balloons, teacups, a dragon on the Orient Express, fun cars, in bumble bees, or in the Fire Chief.

Teenagers and older took a spin on the Tornado, Down Draft, The Sizzler, the Ferris Wheel, Bumper Cars, or the Zipper and Zero Gravity.

Games ranged from basketball and Skeeball to the Big Blaster, a balloon pop, Gator Grab, E-Claw machines, a photo booth, a Fun House and more.

At WC Build a Buddy, you could choose a stuffed animal to fill.

Food and beverage choices included everything from pizza, pulled pork, elephant ears, deep fried Twinkies or Oreos, specialty meals, and an old fashioned soda hut.

On Sunday, "sensory friends" from local school districts had a chance to ride amidst less stimulation.

Vendors offered t-shirts, yard decor, plus other items of interest.

Sherry Timke emerged the winner of the 50/50 raffle.

High level sponsors qualify to enjoy the Lions Club VIP tent. For these major donors who help to fund the festival, food, beverage choices and ideal seating for concerts is included.

Before performing on the main stage on Thursday night, Priscilla Block and her team called the owners of Bootcamp Academy in Roscoe, who welcomed Block, her band and crew into the facility where they worked out and enjoyed food from Worth It Wellness with Erica.

Chris Cagle visited La Croute Bakery and encouraged others to come see them in a live Facebook video.

Fans held up signs with special messages or specific song lyrics. During the Block Party a few donned brightly colored vests.

Headliners on the Bryden Motors Country Stage were Priscilla Block with special guest Greylan James.

Friday night welcomed Kameron Marlowe with special guest Dylan Schneider. Dylan Scott and special guest Payton Smith hit the stage on Saturday. Sunday night Chris Cagle and special guest Lanie Garner took the stage.

Prior to Dylan Scott's performance on Saturday evening, Apex General Contracting sponsored an eye-catching drone sky concert. Images included an American flag, a pair of cowboy boots, a guitar, a Ferris wheel, rocket ships, an eagle, colorful shapes, the letters OSD, and a sign that read Happy Father's Day.

In the Apex Beer Tent, local bands gave talented performances in different genres: Lola Blu Band, Hank's Neighbors, Stereotype, Rollin Whiskey, and Dirt Road Rebelz.

SMTD (Stateline Mass Transit) made it easier to get into the festival with a free shuttle bus service from the Hononegah High school parking lot to the festival grounds, all four days, with expanded hours of service this year.

On the festival grounds, one couple held up a sign that said, "We met at OSD three years ago and we got married seven days ago."

This year, romance was alive again. With the help of friends Marla Herringer and Kirsten Mancl, Randy Stien proposed to Nicole Walker on the main stage on Sunday afternoon. She said yes, making their engagement official.

The Rockton Lions Club Old Settlers Days festival draws thousands of people into Rockton every year. In 2018 the Rockton Lions Club was presented with a RAMI- Rockford Area Music Industry Award for the OSD festival.

In line with the Rockton Lions motto, We Serve, profits from the OSD festival goes directly back into the community, through organizations such as The Center for Sight and Hearing, Carrie Lynn Center, Boy Scout Troop#619, Girl Scouts, Talcott Library, and the Old Stone Church Food Pantry, Wimpy's Fund, and the local fire and police department.

During this year's festival the Rockton Lions presented a $10,000 check to the Center for Sight and Hearing, $1,000 to 95.3 The Bull in support of Shoeboxes for Soldiers, and $2,500 to the Hononegah Robotics Team.

Rockton Police Chief Matt Hollinger was recognized for 30 years of service to the Rockton Police Department, the community and to the OSD festival.