10th annual Rockton Yeti Fest bringing back winter fun
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ROCKTON YETI FEST PHOTO The Herald
This year’s Rockton Yeti Fest will take place Feb. 5-8.
Yeti Fest is billed 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 Yeti’s.” Walk, play, or skate like a Yeti.
Days of winter fun for everyone are promised at the 2025 Yeti Fest running from Wednesday, Feb. 5 until Saturday, Feb. 8.
Teams that make up “The Legion of Snow Sculptors” are prepared to bring their detailed, eye-catching designs to stunning ice sculptures, and adding extra style to the overall Yeti Fest.
Even though the temperatures have been balmy it won’t slow down the skilled hands of Vikings In Black, The Slackers, Snow Rippers, Snow Sultans, The Gnomeskulls and Grueiz. who are covered via a snow making machine, set up by the Rockton Village’s Public Works Department.
Doggie Development Academy’s High Flying Huskies Sled Dog team will pick up speed on the bike path and
grassy sections of Settler’s Park with a sled with wheels, powered by a handler. Times run from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday evening and around every hour on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
After watching the teams in action, guests have a chance to meet and greet the dogs.
Adults are encouraged to don their best or cutest onesie to wear at a pub crawl on Friday night.
Stops on the crawl included Rookie’s, Pokie’s, Ye Olde Pub, Al’s Main St. Tap, the American Legion, Fibs, Rockton Inn, and Salli’s Slots.
At each location pub crawl participants were able to have a card stamped, to be turned in for a chance to win a prize.
Look for a live Yeti all four days who will greet young and young at heart in different locations.
Saturday morning starts off with a one hour dance party with the Yeti at the Settler’s Park gazebo, starting at 11 a.m. Young and old are assured a great time while creating great memories of this special time with the Yeti.
Making a return is a scavenger hunt featuring a combination hunt and Bingo. Scavenger hunt sheets can be picked up at the village hall, or in various locations. On the back a list of participating locations to visit will be shown.
After spotting a Yeti the name of the store is listed in marker in the corresponding space on the card. Anyone who had two traditional Bingo’s-either five across, down or a diagonal direction wins a prize, upon finding at least 15 yetis out of a total of 33 places to potentially visit.
Scavenger hunters have the option of doing the hunt all at once or can complete it in the four days, during business hours. If a business is closed, please move on to the next one who is open.
Always a proven favorite, the Hot Cocoa Crawl will feature unique flavors made on Saturday, Feb. 8. Purchase and pick up your commemorative yeti themed tumbler at the Village Hall.
After visiting participating business crawlers stopped into the Village Hall to vote on a favorite flavor.
DeeDee’s Main Street Coffee and Decor was last year’s winner. They are sure to put on their competitive hats in this friendly competition, with more than five locations to visit.
This year’s hot cocoa crawl is generously being sponsored by C.E.S., Inc.
Local businesses were open and offered Yeti specials on eating, drinking, shopping, or inside activities.
Check out adorable Yeti shaped cookies or other specialty sweets from Sugar Britches. Kiss Glass is offering a “Yeti to Play” box complete with a pipe, a Kiss Glass temporary tattoo and a special surprise. The Gem Shop and Diamond Source are offering a discount of 20% off of everything in the store. Inside of Ric-Rac Embellishments and Gifts make a purchase and enter to win a winter gift basket. Find a yeti in the store and get a treat.
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.