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Wintertime fun was had by all at Rockton Yeti Fest
MARIANNE MUELLER PHOTO The Herald
The Patrick family tried different hot chocolates during the hot coca crawl during yeti fest in Rockton. See more photos inside.
Families and friends were prepared to have pure wintertime fun and Rockton’s 2023 Yeti Fest delivered. Four days of action offered something for everyone from Feb. 8-11. This year marked the eighth of this Rockton tradition.
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 it all revolves around Yeti’s.” Walk, play, or skate like a Yeti.
In spite of a mix of warmer temperatures, and other weather challenges snow sculpting teams created masterpieces.
One of the teams who have sculpted every year is Vikings In Black; is the Skupien brothers- , Sven, Thorfinn and Bjorn. Together they created a sculpture entitled, “The Ferryman,” which is Charon from Greek Mythology; the ferry on the river Styx. ” This year’s inspiration came from a challenging time when Thorfinn wrote and recorded a song and did an illustration of the piece.
Another featured piece that was created by the “Gnome Skulls” is made up of four gnomes; one sees no evil, another hears no evil, one speaks no evil and the other one is undecided.
The Snow Sultans, Team Lent-Snow Rippers, Gnome Skulls, the Slackers, and Kilted Snow Weasels also displayed detailed works.
This year The “Legion of Snow Sculptors” was joined by community volunteers to build the blocks needed for the teams to sculpt from during “Block Building” on Saturday, Feb. 4. The snow for the carving blocks was made by a snowmaking machine.
The live Yeti was seen both outdoors and in various businesses; all four days.
A scavenger hunt began on Wednesday allowing everyone a chance to find a yeti in each store that was hidden in businesses. Once a yeti was spotted the Yeti’s name was listed on a scarf, then marked on a scavenger hunt card. On the Yeti Scavenger Hunt Facebook page a Yeti’s name and location were documented.
The Doggie Development Academy, under the direction and instruction of Jason Hussong, gave dog sled (mushing) demonstrations on Friday and Saturday. A High Flying Huskies team weren’t stopped by melting snow as the sled that was used had wheels to allow them to utilize grassy areas and other walkways.
As a special treat after watching everyone had a chance to meet dogs and their handlers at a “Meet and Greet.”
Adults put on their best or cutest onesie to wear to a pub crawl on Friday night while connecting with many friends. At each stop pub crawl participants picked up a punch card in an attempt to win prizes. Congratulations to Jen Asprooth, Justin Williams, Stephanie Holland, Ali Wilson and Andy Stephenson. Each has won prizes from this year’s pub crawl.
Young and young at heart started off their Saturday with a “Yeti Dance Party” at Settlers Park.
Always a proven favorite is the Hot Cocoa Crawl returned on Saturday afternoon. Each participant tried a variety of flavors in a commemorative mug, complete with a cool stirring spoon.
After trying all of the hot chocolates crawlers stopped into the Village Hall to vote on their favorite flavor. CES, a Civil Engineering firm, was the sponsor of the hot cocoa crawl.
New this year is the introduction of the first ever Yeti Fest “Snowball” where a variety of dress styles was found on Saturday night. Three hours of dancing commenced at the Rockton American Legion, (American Center).
“Dirty Pop” performed songs of different eras, creating the right aura to hit the dance floor.
Attendees qualified to win a prize sash for having the “Best hair, “ and “Best Dressed.”
Aaron and Kari Szeto of Sosnowski, Szeto, LLP. Were named the King and Queen of the Snowball. Holley Krall was voted as having the “Best Hair.” Best dressed was Jamie Swanson.
Local businesses opened doors while offering Yeti specials on eating, drinking or shopping.
Opening doors to imagination Jill Rae Finally Art is put together take and make or make in person in the shop kits full of different kits such as a scarf kit, Valentine bracelet, “Paint a little Love,” with extra options of
making snow globes, an ice skating polar bear or using a fox acrylic painting kit.
Erica’s Board Creations hosted a Walk in board painting during Yeti Fest.
Yeti Fest was made possible through the efforts of organizer Tricia Diduch and numerous sponsors; too many to list. “I think the large number of sponsors shows how much time and energy and resources it takes to make this event happen, and it is so appreciated,” Tricia Diduch said.
