Yeti Fest returning for fourth year of pure winter fun

Yeti Fest returning for fourth year of pure winter fun
By Marianne Mueller
Reporter
Winter fun is heading back into Rockton with the return of the fourth annual Yeti Fest.
Yeti Fest is billed as “A festival where the abominable snow people of Rockton and their friends come out to enjoy 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.”
This family friendly event grows in popularity each year along with an increase in activities to participate in during the four day event starting on Wednesday, Jan. 30 and concluding on Saturday, Feb. 2.
All are invited to help build a giant community snow fort in Settlers Park and to find the Yeti.
More fun comes in the form of a scavenger hunt that can be completed in downtown Rockton where Yeti’s are set to be hidden in businesses. Search for these Yeti’s. Once you spot the Yeti’s name on a scarf print off the scavenger card posted on the Yeti Scavenger Hunt Facebook page and write down the Yeti’s name and location.
Adults can put on their best or cutest onesie to wear to a pub crawl starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 1. Visit Rookie’s Pub and Grill, Fibs, Ye Olde Pub, Rockton Inn Pub Grub & BBQ, Pokie’s Slots-N-Video Poker and the American Legion with an extra option in the tent at Settlers Park. The younger generation and kids at heart have shown great support of an already sold out Hot Cocoa crawl, new to this year’s event. Even if visitors missed out on purchasing a mug and would still like to participate they are welcome to stop down to the festival tent to pick up a list of restaurants and to find all five stops of the crawl. Hot cocoa will then be available to them at a minimal cost, or free depending on the stop.
New this year is a chance to enjoy food and drinks under a nicely heated tent. Warm up while checking out snow sculptures designed by talented hands of artists.
Seven snow sculpting teams will be in friendly competition with no awards at stake. An exhibition will feature stunning creations for all to enjoy. See detailed works of the Snow Sultans, Kindred Snow Weasels; VIB- Vikings in Black, Team Lentz Snow Rippers, Slacktastic 4, Snow Beards, and Solo Floofen are ready to compete.
Friday evening the Free Spirit Dog Sled team will return in all its glory. Demonstrations are scheduled at different times on Friday evening! Come out to meet dogs and their handlers at a “Meet and Greet.”
On Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. let your Imagination fly at Erica’s Board Creations! Join in creating a “Make and Take” during the Yeti Fest Hot Cocoa Crawl. A variety of boards will be available already sanded and stained; ready to paint. Prices of each range from $10 to $25 depending on which board is chosen. No tickets are needed and plenty of stencils will be on hand.
Local businesses will be open and offering Yeti specials on eating, drinking or shopping. The Olive Branch will have a food truck will be at Yeti Fest on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Those who love Greek food will have this option.
A full Yeti Fest schedule of pure fun can be found on the Rockton Yeti Fest Facebook page.