35th Annual Christmas Walk bringing Christmas fun to Stateline

By Marianne Mueller
REPORTER
Rockton’s Christmas Walk promises fun for the whole family. Organized by Tricia Diduch and run through the Village of Rockton this popular three-day event is returning Dec. 6 through the 8th.
Santa first arrives on Friday at the Advia Credit Union. Little ones will have the opportunity to take a photo with him from 3 to 5 p.m. More opportunities to see Santa begin on Saturday morning at the Rockton Lions pancake breakfast arriving at 9 a.m. Santa is moving into the Dairyhaus where little ones can tell him their Christmas wishes and have pictures taken with him beginning at noon.
Sounds of the season will come alive via a Barbershop chorus.
Paint a bird ornament, paint a “Winter Wonderland Party,” or try your hand at cookie decorating at Jill Rae Finally Art. More artistic flair can be shown at board painting-Make and Takes at Erica’s Board Creations. Create a hot chocolate stir spoon at The Mix.
Little ones can write letters to Santa at Edward Jones Financial Advisor Brenda Brugger’s office on Hawick St. Leah Evers is serving as the co-host of this popular event. All letters should have a return address on them to assure that Santa is able to respond promptly to each.
Macktown Lions Club invites Rockton residents to show full Christmas spirit by taking part in a holiday house/yard lighting contest. Decorations and illuminations will be judged based on their Holiday/seasonal theme, originality, creativity and presentation. The First prize winner will have a yard sign prominently displayed on their property listing them as the Macktown Lions Club holiday decorations winner. Prizes will be announced and awarded during the Lighting of the Park. Full details and forms can be found on the Macktown Lions Facebook page.
This year marks the third of a pub crawl returning on Friday evening and featuring ugly sweaters. Grab a punch card at each visit to win one of six prizes.
Horse drawn carriage rides allow guests to see beautiful sights of Rockton. They will pick up riders in Settlers Park, near the flagpole; right across from the Rockton Sanctuary Spa.
Prince of Peace Church is upholding the tradition of hosting the Gingerbread Lane Cookie 
Walk and Craft show featuring a nice variety of goods by numerous crafters. Cookies will be sold at $5 per lb. with the fun running from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. This long time tradition has been ongoing for the past 25 years; 20 of which have been sponsored by Naomi Circle. Among crafters is the very popular, “Basket Case.”
The Rockton Township Historical Society is having a bake sale and adding extra fun with offerings from Santa’s Attic Sale “on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Rockton United Methodist Church is hosting a craft sale from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
After visiting stores in Rockton bring your gifts to Montgomery Financial Services, LLC in Cannell Corner to have them wrapped in return for a donation to Wimpy’s Fund.
The Rockton American Legion Auxiliary is serving brats, hot dogs and ham and cheese, hot roast beef, hot cocoa, coffee, milk and cookies. Serving starts around 5 p.m. and goes until the food runs out.
Bring your family and your friends to the Village Green Park for the meaningful Christmas Walk tradition of Lighting of the Park beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Prior to the events kick off is the opportunity to roast Giant S’more’s from Sugar Britches. The Whitman Post Choir will make the Christmas spirit pop with the singing of Christmas carols at 4:30 p.m. The official lighting of Katie’s tree and reading of a special poem is done annually in memory of Katie Cronin, and is an important part of the overall park lighting ceremony. Warm up after the ceremonies with hot chocolate.
As always the Lighted Christmas Parade will brighten up the true Christmas spirit. Watch detailed floats roll down the street starting from the west end of Main Street and ending at Hononegah High School.
A half an hour after the parades completion the Rockton Lions Club invites the public to the Wimpy’s Club auction.
On Sunday The Gem Shop & Diamond Source welcomes Young and young at heart can who have a chance to meet and greet the Snow Sisters and Olaf from “Once upon a Dream Performances.” The fun begins at 1 p.m.
Celebrate Christmas in the 1840’s at Macktown Living History in the Whitman Store. Old fashion fun includes making ornaments, and receives an introduction to St. Nicolas Day only tap a portion of fun to be had from 2 to 4 p.m.
Talcott Library welcomes guests to take part in long time Christmas Walk traditions. They are hosting a gigantic book sale from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday. Chocolate for the Talcott Soul is returning on Sunday. Try the best of chocolate treats from 1 to 3 p.m. The book sale is also running during this event and on Monday, Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Even more fun comes in the form of trying to win a basket full of useful items. While at the library and looking for Christmas gift ideas check into the Adopt a Book program.
Last year’s introduction of a hot chocolate crawl was so popular it will be making a return on Sunday, Dec. 8. Pick up a commemorative mug to “crawl” to different downtown locations for a signature hot chocolate at the Rockton Village Hall starting at 1 p.m. This completely family friendly event costs $5 per person.
A full list of Christmas Walk events and times can be found on the Village of Rockton website or on the Christmas Walk Facebook page.