Winter people anticipating 11th annual Rockton Yeti Fest

Rockton’s 2026 Yeti Fest is running from Wednesday, Feb. 4 until Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. The original idea for this unique event, now in its 11th year, came from Rockton’s former Planning and Development Administrator Tricia Diduch.

Diduch describes the event as “a festival where the abominable snow people of Rockton and their friends come out to enjoy a mixture of winter related activities and is a celebration of all things winter, and of course it all revolves around yetis.”

Looking back, Diduch says, "The idea was centered around fun ways to get people outdoors when it is cold and dreary and to come check out fun things to do in Rockton in the winter.“

When Diduch was considering this idea, she did some internet sleuthing to make sure that no one within a day trip driving distance was planning a similar event.

“I don't really know how I came up with yetis, just that this theme was fun and kitschy, and I didn't see a comparable event with that name, with the exception of one that was held somewhere in Minnesota.“

In its 11th year Village of Rockton Community Promotions Coordinator Monique Weaver has taken the reigns.

Yeti Fest events

Teams that make up “The Legion of Snow Sculptors” are bringing detailed, eye-catching designs for stunning ice sculptures to the Yeti Fest.

The Skupien brothers from Roscoe, who call themselves Vikings In Black, join their friends The Slackers, Snow Rippers, Snow Sultans, The Gnomeskulls and Gruezi will join in a friendly display of frozen artistry.

The Legion of Snow Scultptors Exhibition has remained an integral part of Yeti Fest since the event’s second year.

Doggie Development Academy's High Flying Huskies Sled Dog team will once again pick up speed on the bike path and grassy sections of Settlers Park with a wheeled dog-powered sled, guided by a handler.

Thsee fast paced demonstrations are scheduled each hour, on the hour, on Friday evening from 4-7 p.m and Saturday from 10 a.m until 2 p.m.

After watching the teams in action, guests will have a chance to meet and greet the dogs.

New this year, instead of the previous Hot Cocoa Crawl, is a Treat Trail, which is taking place on Saturday from 12 until 3 p.m. Participants pay $7.18 to receive a treat bucket filled with goodies from local participating businesses. These one of a kind items can be provided by Frosted Farmhouse, La Croute Bakery, Sugar Britches, Dairyhaus, Dee Dee's Main Street Coffee, Wicked Sweets, Inkwell Books and Threads, and Pick- A Dilly Antiques. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com.

Look for a live yeti all four days who will greet young and young at heart in different locations around Rockton.

The Scavenger Hunt is making a return. Scavenger hunt sheets can be downloaded from the Facebook page or picked up at the Village Hall and at other locations. As there are a limited amount of sheets, Yeti Fest visitors are encouraged to print them out.

A list of the 28 participating locations is on the back.

After spotting a unique yeti at a location, mark the name of the store in the corresponding space on the card.

Scavenger hunters can do the hunt all at once or over the four days, during business hours. If a business is closed, you simply move on to the next one who is open.

Adults can find their groove on Saturday night in the upper level of Fibs where a Yeti Dance party starts at 7 p.m. This will be a warm up to the Pub Crawl where visitors will don their best onesie to visit each stop on the crawl, including Rookie's, Pokie's, Ye Olde Pub, Al's Main Street Tap, Rockton American Legion, Fibs, Rockton Inn, Salli's Slots, and Afer the Vine.

At each location, pub crawl participants were able to have a card stamped, to be turned in for a chance to win a prize basket.

Local businesses were open and offered Yeti specials on eating, drinking , shopping, or inside activities each day.

Show your Yeti Fest spirit by purchasing themed shirts, in addition to other cool pieces.

Full details on each separate event that makes up Yeti Fest can be found on a corresponding Facebook page.

“We look forward to letting the Yeti lose for a weekend each year,” noted John Peterson, Village of Rockton President. “He’s peaceful and brings winter joy to all who are around him. Come for several activities throughout the weekend and you may even get to see the Yeti!”

"The Village of Rockton is proud to continue hosting this event. Everyone in theStateline area is encouraged to come and participate."

Diduch reflectively adds, "The cool thing to see is how much winter festivals have become a thing. People want to engage with their communities in all weather. It is fun to come up with ways for them to do so.

“Seeing the Rockton community embrace Yeti Fest is something that I will carry with me always, and I am confident that true believers will help it find new ways to remain a fun family and friend event. After all the tagline is, “Yeti Fest: for the abominable snow people and their friends.”