Rockton Christmas Walk: 40 years of lifelong memories

Sounds of the season were heard in the Village of Rockton Dec. 6 - 8, 2024 as the 40th annual Christmas walk welcomed thousands of visitors throughout the weekends festivities.

Tricia Diduch took the reigns in her ninth year as the event chair.

Friday night the community gathered at Settlers Park to listen to the Willowbrook Middle School choir sing traditional Christmas carols blended with catchy, upbeat tunes.

Following the caroling, TV anchor Mark Henderson started everyone off in a 10 second countdown to lighting up Settlers Park.

Friday night was full of fun including a Dueling Pianos concert who played and performed a variety of songs.

Many donned ugly sweaters and joined in a pub crawl.

Honoring history was at the forefront of this year's event. A full history of the Rockton Christmas Walk was on display in both Settlers Park and Village Green Park

On Saturday morning a nice, steady crowd gathered at the American Center to have breakfast with Santa. After it was announced that Santa was entering the room, smiles ran across everyone's face, especially young ones.

Buckets n Blooms on N. Blackhawk offered a 3D printed ornament with any purchase.

Shopping opportunities were found at local shops and at bake sales, craft shows and the first ever Main Street Market.

Talcott Free Library drew book lovers or book givers to a sale of gently used books, DVD's and miscellaneous items.

Settlers Park featured miniature horses from the lighted parade. Atreyu from Kaleidoscope, Mr. from Fair Light, and Indy from Mare's Place, all from Stillman Valley, were joined by Becca from Rocking Pony Ranch in Rockford. Each of them was there with their owner.

Santa made a stop in the warm and cozy environment of the Rockton Village Hall where he listened to wishes of all ages.

Children wrote letters to Santa at Edward Jones Financial Advisor Brenda Brugger's office, then dropped into a box outside the office.

Horse drawn carriage rides offered the picture-perfect way to see all of the sights,

Students from Whitman Post Elementary School brightened the day by sharing their talented voices in Christmas carols.

The River City Sound Chorus Sweet Adelines hit the right notes of harmonies and melody at After the Vine.

the Rockford Barbershop Chorus brought Christmas cheer to Sugar Britches and Jill Rae Finally Art.

Creativity flowed at Jill Rae Finally Art with make and take Chubby Bird ornaments, made out of paper mache.

Saturday evening started off with a lively ceremony at the Village Green Park. Wayne Weiser and a group of friends teamed up as a quartet to join in signing a variety of Christmas favorites. A young visitor joined them in playing bells. Many had sung along with well known songs.

Before her death in 2003, Katie Cronin oversaw decorating of the Village Green Park with a strong volunteer base, through the Our Town Committee in 1987.

Village President John Peterson said a few words before the Cronin family was introduced.
Katie Cronin's grandson Adam and his fiance Carin who got engaged at last year's Christmas Walk joined in reading Katie's poem leading to the lighting of Katie's Tree that was lovingly decorated by family members.

A countdown to the tree lighting revealed a beautifully decorated Village Green Park.

As spectators lined the streets for the 2024 Lighted Parade, beautiful scenes and spectacularly decorated floats rolled down Main Street for almost an hour.

The parade started with the Rockton American Legion Post #332, who met with respectful applause. Youth organizations, businesses, local media, handed out candy or other fun items or tossed them from floats.

The parade ended with the sound and lights of fire trucks from the Rockton Fire Department.

This years Grand Marshal sponsor was Benchmark Exteriors, the presenting sponsor of the Christmas Walk.

Following the parade at the Wimpy's Fund Auction at the Rockton American Legion, numerous baskets filled the tables along with raffle prizes. Music and wine pulls added to the fun of the live auction along with their energetic masters of ceremony Jodi May and Twwinky.

Online bidding was available before the live auction.
All money that is raised from the auction goes to help local families have a brighter Christmas season as the Rockton Lions Club gives toys, food and clothes to families who need an extra boost of Christmas cheer.

The 7th annual Hot Cocoa Crawl returned on Sunday. This year, ticket holders received a 12 oz. hot beverage tumbler with a lid. After the votes came in for the favorite hot cocoa, The Mix emerged as the winner .

In a scavenger hunt, up to seven clues on the doors of local businesses led visitors to their final destination of Settlers Park. There, participants collected cards and returned them to the Rockton Village Hall in exchange for a prize: magnets or commemorative ornaments, with candy and candy canes ass a bonus.

Christmas at Macktown featured time honored traditions and more on Sunday afternoon. Horse drawn carriage rides took guests to the historic sites for ornament making in the Whitman house, visiting the Whitman Store to see what people in the 1800's would have purchased as gifts, making toys with a woodworker in the Stephens Carpenter Shop, and visiting the Mack House,

At the second “Historic Homes for the Holidays” tour, event organizer Diana Weiser, along with her husband Wayne and the Martin, Meichtry and Weldon families, warmly welcomed everyone into their homes.

Visitors to each historic location took in something unique. The apartment above DeeDee's Coffee and Decor is charming, inviting and comfortable.

Outside the Weldon home are interesting decorations including old fashion style red pajamas and denim overalls. It is the oldest brick house in Rockton, built in 1839. Inside the home is a warm environment full of primitives, and loads of charm.
The Weiser- Phelps house has stunning leaded glass bay windows and many built in features.

The Meichtry home is the ultimate in Victorian style. In each room were notes describing part of the room that stand out. As a nice touch Christmas tunes were played on a piano.

Refreshments, a wine tasting and wassail were enjoyed at different places.

Special thanks to Parks and Recreation Director Don Self, the Public Works Department, the Village of Rockton, Rockton Police Department and all of the volunteers who helped with the event.

Commemorative note cards are still available for $15 at the Rockton Village Hall.

The 40th Annual Christmas Walk carried out long time traditions as they reflected on years of past walks while keeping things fresh and new.