Downtown Rochelle will be bustling with activity the first weekend in December for the Old Fashioned Christmas Walk! The event has grown to include events December 5th & 6th. Many downtown stores will be open until 7:30pm on Friday, December 5.
Friday December 5th
Horse and Carriage rides are returning to the Old Fashioned Christmas Walk this year. Rides will run from 4-7pm and pickup is at the RMU Customer Service building located at 333 Lincoln Highway.
Start your weekend by visiting Santa at the Flagg Township Museum from 4:00-8:00pm on Friday evening. The Flagg Township Museum will decorate a special place for Santa Claus to meet your children and hear their wishes for Christmas. There is no charge to enter the museum for this special occasion. Children are encouraged to bring their letters to Santa and parents don’t forget your cameras!
Already many entries have been received for the Lighted Parade! Watch as our local businesses and organizations roll through the Downtown with Holiday themed vehicles. Watch for RMU’s decorated trucks and the Fire Department’s Old Gertie carrying Santa through the parade! The parade kicks of at 5:30 on Friday, travels through the Downtown and ends at City Hall for the Community Tree Lighting. Santa will light the Community Tree and the Middle School Chorus will sing carols. The Annual Gratitude Award will be given to a deserving member of our community following the tree lighting. To join the parade, call 562-5113.
Bed races will run down Lincoln Highway at 6:30. Teams of five decorate a bed. With one “rider” the group pushes their bed down the street. The fastest team wins a prize and of course, bragging rights. To register, contact Diane McNeilly at 562-5769. There is a $10 entry fee to participate. A prize of $50 is awarded to the fastest bed team and a prize of $50 is awarded to the best dressed team.
The Seventh Annual Christmas Tree Festival is open at City Hall from 4:30 to 6:30 Friday evening, with bidding coming to a close at 6:30 sharp. You’ll be able to find the perfect gift or decoration for your home at the Festival with tabletop trees, gift baskets, wreaths, centerpieces, and more available for silent auction. All proceeds from the silent auction benefit Rochelle’s Community Action Network (CAN). Warm beverages and Cliff’s donuts will be served.
Plenty of good food will be available throughout the downtown Friday night! The Rochelle Fire Department will be serving up their festival-famous pork chop sandwiches and the Masonic Temple will be serving a chili & soup dinner.
All ages are invited to warm up at the Hub City Senior Center with Wanda Ussery’s Famous Homemade Chicken & Dumplings, peas, Watergate salad, rolls, delicious dessert and coffee! The fun starts at 4:30pm and ends at 7:30pm. You’ll enjoy live Christmas music and handcrafted items for holiday gift giving. Order your tickets now by calling 562-5050. Tickets are $7 in advance and $8 at the door.
The Library is pleased to announce that they will once again be holding an Open House the evening of the Annual Downtown Christmas Walk. Our entertainment for the evening will be Mike Schneider and his PintSize Polkas. Enjoy Christmas and other favorites with polka flair. Doors open at 6:15. Program will begin at 6:30. There will be music, treats and other fun by the Christmas tree. The night is designed for the whole family. All ages are welcome.
Saturday December 6th
Brave the elements for the “Frozen Family Fun Run”! This free event takes place Saturday, December 6th at 10:00am. Bring the family, dress up in festive attire and take your time to run, walk or ride your bike on a .6 mile course through downtown Rochelle. The race will begin and end at the Rochelle Visitors Center (Filling Station) at 500 Lincoln Ave. You may run into a holiday surprise along the way. There will be contest winners for best-dressed family. Waivers will need to be signed before the event.
Come to the Library at 6:00pm on Saturday in your pajamas for a complimentary showing of “Frozen”! Popcorn and lemonade will be served. The doors open at 6:00pm and the movie begins at 6:30pm sharp! Bring a canned good to donate to the Rochelle Christian Food Pantry.