Thousands visit Rockton Yeti Fest 2025
Around 1,500 visitors came through Rockton, IL in the span of four days for the 10th Yeti Fest.
Thousands of visitors enjoyed four days of winter fun at Rockton's Yeti Fest, starting on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 and running until Saturday, Feb. 8.
The event's popularity has grown greatly in the past 10 years. Yeti Fest organizer Tricia Diduch said, “We had around 1,500 visitors in the span of four days. The uniqueness of the event drew people from the Chicago suburbs, Milwaukee, Iowa, and Southern Illinois.”
The teams that make up The Legion of Snow Sculptors shared their unique talent and brought their detailed, eye-catching designs to life in stunning ice sculptures, adding a special flair to the overall Yeti Fest.
Vikings In Black, The Slackers, Snow Rippers, Snow Sultans, The Gnomeskulls and Grueiz created designs by using snow from a machine that was initially set up by the Rockton Villages Public Works Department.
'Sven' Skupien of Vikings In Black said they have used artificial snow since the beginning of the snow sculpting exhibition. "What makes sculpting difficult nowadays is the constantly shifting temperatures. The night we made the snow, it was minus 11. Thirty-six hours later it was 50, then it got cold again. That means that the snow melts and refreezes. This happens repeatedly these days. It creates very hard chunks of snow and ice which tend to pop out of the sculpture when we are trying to carve it.”
This year Vikings in Black's sculpture was called 'Blackbeard.' Sven says, "We designed this piece years ago, but never actually sculpted it until now." Sven and his brothers 'Bjorn' and 'Thorfinn' come up with ideas, present them to each other, then develop those ideas together. They are natives of the Roscoe area.
“I love pirates and we usually sculpt historical or literary inspired pieces. Blackbeard was bound to happen eventually,” Skupien added. The Legion of Snow Sculptors is a group who just want to sculpt for the love of the art and the camaraderie. There are no awards or People's Choice.
Excitement mounted on Friday evening and for hours on Saturday as Doggie Development Academy's High Flying Huskies Sled Dog team picked up speed on the bike path and grassy sections of Settlers Park by using a sled with wheels, guided by a handler. After watching the teams in action, guests had a chance to meet and greet the dogs.
Artwork of second grade students from Rockton Grade School was on display at various businesses. Talcott Library dedicated a story time to the yeti.
Adults wore their best or cutest onesie at a pub crawl on Friday night where they could visit to up to eight establishments.
At each location, pub crawl participants had a card stamped, to be turned in for a chance to win a prize.
A live yeti was spotted in various locations. The gazebo at Settlers Park was a popular hot spot on Saturday morning where the yeti danced with young and young at heart.
More fun came in the form of a scavenger hunt. Participants looked for stuffed yetis in the window or near the entrance of participating stores and marked the number of the store next to the yeti's picture on the card. Scavenger hunters were given the option of doing the hunt all at once or to complete it over four days.
Always a favorite, the Hot Cocoa Crawl featured unique flavors from several businesses. Hot Cocoa crawlers stopped into the Village Hall to vote on a favorite flavor. The 2025 hot cocoa crawl winner was La Croûte Bakery Cafe. The Mix Rockton won second place honors with DeeDees Main Street Coffee and Decor taking the final winner placement.
Local businesses offered 'yeti specials' on eating, drinking, and shopping. Inside activities followed the theme of the event. The Old Stone Church hosted a bake sale with a yeti on hand to greet shoppers.
Jackie Jacobson of Machesney Park said, "I thoroughly enjoyed the day with my kids tasting all the hot chocolate and checking out all the stores! The snow sculptures were amazing, and Sugar Britches had the perfect touch with homemade marshmallows.”
First time attendee Kimberly Muller shared her experience at Yeti Fest. “We caught the tail end of the event. Parents and children were sporting hot cocoa in Yeti tumblers. The snow sculptures were awesome, one of which included a PG-13 shark complete with blood and a brazier hanging from one of its teeth. We also saw a bunch of Husky mix sled dogs tied in place to a vehicle. The first dog had short hair. I wish I got there a little earlier.”
Rockford resident Loretta Nelson said, “It was fun exploring Rockton. I found some great stores. I plan on coming back there soon to shop more. My daughter, granddaughter and I had a great time!”
Diduch adds, “It is really great to see this festival reach such a wide spectrum of visitors.”
