Although holiday festivities will look a bit different this year, Rochelle residents will have several opportunities to enjoy the season!
Join Mayor John Bearrows and Santa on Facebook live Thursday December 3rd at 5:30pm as they light the Community Tree and announce this year’s Community Gratitude Award recipient. The award honors an individual or group that has gone above and beyond to serve Rochelle in the past year.
Also on December 3rd, the Downtown Merchants kick off their Christmas Cash promotion. Every visitor to the store will receive an entry and for every $25 spent, shoppers will receive an additional entry. On December 6th and 13th, winners will be drawn to receive a $100 cash prize and on Saturday December 19th, three winners will be drawn with cash prizes of $100, $125 and $425.
Our annual lighted parade is happening in reverse this year! Bundle your family into the car and head downtown for our “Cut the Square” reverse parade on Friday December 4th from 5-7pm. Stationery floats will be decorated along the way, giving out goodies to those driving through. Head down Lincoln Highway, around Lincoln Avenue and back up 6th Street to see Santa parked on the Museum’s front lawn. Santa’s reindeer will be stationed at Terri Schaeffer State Farm at the corner of 6th Avenue and Lincoln Highway from 4-6pm. Downtown windows will be decorated as part of the Rochelle Chamber of Commerce “Merry and Bright” decorating contest.
Speaking of decorating, bring out your inner Clark Griswold because the Rochelle Chamber has invited local households to decorate for the holidays and enter the “Merry and Bright” decorating contest for homes! To enter, simply contact the Rochelle Chamber of Commerce with your address at . 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes will be awarded to the best-decorated homes and businesses!
Join Mayor and First Lady Bearrows on 102.3 The Coyote on December 10th from 5-6pm as local children are invited to call in and have their Holiday Wishes heard by Santa and Mrs. Clause. Lists may be dropped off at the radio station office in the May Mart shopping center anytime between now and December 10th. Children may also call into the show at 561-1023 to speak with Santa and Mrs. Clause. New this year, the City of Rochelle is hosting Christmas Light Carriage rides through the Squires Landing and North Ridge subdivisions. Families may reserve a six-person carriage or a ten-person wagon ride throughout the neighborhoods in twenty-minute increments throughout the month of December. The cost for a six-person carriage ride is $38 and for a ten-person wagon ride is $48. The evening rides begin and end at St. Paul. To reserve a time, please contact Jenny Thompson at City Hall at or 815-561-2006.