Ninth annual Yeti Fest created perfect doses of fun, and new memories

By Marianne Mueller

REPORTER

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.

This super fun event allowed everyone to have the perfect dose of winter fun from Feb. 7 through Feb. 10.

Yeti Fest themed shirts, and hats were worn by spirited visitors who made this special purchase.

Doggie Development Academy’s High Flying Huskies Sled Dog team picked up speed on the bike path and grassy sections of Settlers Park with a sled with wheels, powered by a handler.

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

Adults donned their best or cutest onesie to wear at the 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, and Rockton Inn. At each location pub crawl participants were able to have a card stamped, to be turned in for a chance to win a prize.

All four days a live Yeti greeted young and young at heart at various places.

Saturday morning started off with a dance party with the Yeti at the Settlers Park gazebo.

Excitement mounted in a scavenger hunt featuring a combination hunt and Bingo. Scavenger hunt sheets were picked up at the village hall, or in various locations. On the back was a list of 27 participating locations to visit.

After spotting a Yeti the name of the store was 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 won a prize, upon finding at least 12 Yetis.

Scavenger hunters had options of doing the hunt all at once or could complete it in the four days.

Always a proven favorite, the Hot Cocoa Crawl returned on Saturday, Feb. 10. In three hours different flavors of hot cocoa were tried from DeeDee’s Main Street Coffee and Decor, Rookie’s Pub, Rockton Inn Pub and Grub, The Dairyhaus, The Mix and Sugar Britches, each tried in a commemorative mug, complete with a cool stirring spoon.

After visiting participating business crawlers stopped into the Village Hall to vote on a favorite flavor. DeeDee’s Main Street Coffee and Decor was this year’s winner.

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

The Sizz N Fizz food truck added an extra food option near Settlers Park.

Two readings of the book, “Meet the Hot Dogs” with the books author and illustrator April Graves took place on Saturday at Inkwell Books & Threads. Visitors had a chance to meet the book’s main character, Pip and to have a photo taken, in addition to getting a copy of this new and already loved children’s book, signed by Graves.

Artwork done by local students was displayed in different businesses.

Jill Rae Finally Art gave away four tickets to this year’s Snow Ball. This involved visiting the studio to answer a trivia question based on the 90’s theme.

Light up party glasses and glow sticks, and balloons decorated the Rockton American Legion on Saturday night.  A nice crowd came dressed in their best ‘90s fashion while Livin’ La vida at the second annual Snow Ball.

Clever costuming included the wearing of tracksuits, a group dressed up as the Spice Girls, and friends who sported matching D.A.R.E shirts, just to name a few.

DJ Ron Reiner transported everyone back to the era in the Rockton American Center. Diduch led the way to extra fun in the form of trivia questions related to the ‘90s.

Extra laughter was heard as balloons were bounced back and forth throughout the evening!

The first award was given to Logan Spohn who was “Getting ‘Jiggy With It” as the “Best Dancer.” Helka Golter received the “All that and a Bag of Chips” award. Honored as the Snow Ball “Chillaxer” were friends donning matching D.A.R.E shirts.

The Snow Ball King was a man dressed AKA as DJ- AC Slater. Kelly Kulak was crowned the Queen.