Rockton Christmas Walk 4th Annual Hot Cocoa Crawl: live again and tasty as always

The 4th Annual Hot Cocoa Crawl will take place in nine locations in downtown Rockton on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 between 1:00 -3:00 p.m. at the Rockton Christmas Walk. Tickets for this two-hour cocoa binge sold out on Black Friday after Thanksgiving. Unlike the pub crawl, it's family-friendly and non-alcoholic. Though even without alcohol, watch out for sugar-impaired celebrators crawling down Main Street. Ticketholders aren't obligated to finish nine full cups of hot cocoa, though they are certainly welcome to if physically able.

After trying all the flavors, festival-goers returned to the Rockton Village Hall to vote on their favorites. The Mix 's entry was described as salted caramel cheesecake. One taster called Sugar Britches "perfect," with raspberry marshmallow (or was it blackberry.) Dairyhaus gave the largest serving and ran out quickest. It tasted like warm melted chocolate ice cream. After the Vine gave the most marshmallows, and one taster agreed that its wine-infused marshmallows would "definitely be a great gift." Mary's Market had gingerbread white hot chocolate.

Though the Hot Cocoa Crawl is sold out, a lucky reader of Rockton-Roscoe News won a pair of tickets by sending an email to cocoa@roscoenews.com. The winner was selected at random from the emails we received before Friday, Dec. 3. You can still organize your own personal crawl - visit any of the nine locations on your own schedule.

Ticketholders can pick up their commemorative mugs (including the adorable spoon that rests inside the handle) at Village Hall, 110 E. Main St. during office hours at Village Hall from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and open late until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday evening, Dec. 2. On Sunday, mugs can be picked up beginning at 12:15 p.m.

Tricia Diduch of the Village of Rockton explains how it works on Sunday: "Inside each mug are tickets to the different stops. Start wherever you want, turn in your ticket, get your cocoa, drink your cocoa, then move on to the next location."

Ticketholders can vote for their favorite flavor at Village Hall by 4:00 p.m. Sunday which gives them an hour to recover after the event ends.

Besides hot chocolate, the nine participants for the 2021 Rockton Christmas Walk 4th Annual Hot Cocoa Crawl have much shopping to offer, so Diduch advises, "Take your time, shop, let your blood sugar levels stabilize a bit, then move on again."

• After the Vine, 163 Hawick St., features a variety of wine for tasting, plus craft beers, unique gifts and gift wrapping. Friday night they will host a wine tasting event. Jill says they will be serving raspberry cocoa with wine-infused marshmallows for the adults. They will also have mulled wine, warmed and spiced, a traditional holiday beverage.
  
• Dairyhäus, 113 E Main St, is known for their one-of-a-kind homemade ice cream in over sixty flavors and their 1846 Greek Revival building.
• DeeDee's Main St. Coffee & Decor, 101 W Main St, always serves hot chocolate, even frozen hot chocolate, and she's brewing up something special for this event.
• Mary's Market, who has a fine bakery and cafe in Roscoe, will be serving hot cocoa at a Erica’s Board Creations, 122 S. Prairie St. Erica began with board creation and painting events in homes, and this weekend will offer to-go "Board Make & Takes" kits.
• The Mix, 151 Hawick Street, is known for their specialty coffees, smoothies, frozen treats, shaved ice, ice cream, and candy. Stop by Saturday to make hot chocolate spoons.
  
• Rockton Inn Pub & Grub, 102 E Main St., specializes in great food, drinks & fun, such as karaoke, DJ, specials & events - and can come up with creative hot cocoa recipes.
• Rockton Mobil, 111 N. Blackhawk Blvd., offers a coupon for a full hot drink, which can be used during the Hot Cocoa Crawl or anytime between Dec. 5-19.
• Sugar Britches, 115 W Main St, makes their own chocolates, caramels, toffee, brittle, marshmallows, turtles and fudge using fine Belgian chocolate. They are the masterminds behind the "S'more-the-Size-of-Your-Fist-Roasting" at Village Green Park on Saturday.

The Rockton Christmas Walk 4th Annual Hot Cocoa Crawl is generously sponsored by Stenstrom Companies and Erica's Board Creations.

In 2020, like so many events, the Hot Cocoa Crawl was mostly enjoyed at home. Instead of tickets, the commemorative mug last year contained ingredients to be added to a standard hot cocoa base. These recipes were devised by the creative people that Rockton is known for (otherwise, why would they need habanero caramels?) and the add-in flavors included Peppermint Snowman, Dulce De Leche, Aztec Spice, Salted Caramel, and Nuts About Hazel.