Winterfest
The Annual Rockford Chamber of Commerce Christmas Walk moved to Shane’s Park in 2010 and is now called the Winterfest.
On December 10, 2011 Shane’s Park was alive with lights, food and fun. Activities started at 3PM.
- Santa and Mrs. Claus
- Children's Games
- Gingerbread House Contest
- Carriage Rides - couresty of Rockford Eagles
- Holiday Golf Cart Raffle
- Shopping with Area Vendors
- Tasty Food Treats
- Local Entertainment
- Live Nativity
- Story Time in the log cabin
- 50/50 Raffle Drawing
and Much, Much MORE!
Entertainment Schedule:
3:00 Rockford United Methodist – Pastor Chip and Thompson Brothers
3:30 Praise Point Quartet
4:00 Mike Bruns and Kent Krogman
4:30 Mt. Tabor Church of God
5:00 Kim Gardner – St. John Wroship Team
6:00 Amy Roth
6:30 Parkway Swing Choir
7:00 Concert at the Belle
Background Music provided by Paula Linn
MC – Mr. Richard Sherrick
Activities for the Kids included:
Kids' Games - starting at 3:00 PM! Win prizes at:
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Pin the Bow on the GIngerbread man
- Ornament Decorating
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Tattoo Parlor
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Balloon Stomp
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Christmas Bingo
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Snowman Toss
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Cupcake Walk
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Hoop Shoot
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Christmas Treasure Bags
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Cookie Decorating and many others!
"The Balloon Man" Aaron Roehm
Winners of the Winterfest
The winner of the $50.00 savings bond from People's Bank was given to Claire Langenkamp !
Gingerbread House contest sponsored by Brand It Marketing Communications:
Adult Category $75.00 - Lyndsey Baxter
Child Category $75.00 - Girl Scout Troup #20677
Gingerbread Youth Group Contest:
New Horizons Community Church - Pizza party donated by Rockford Carry Out
50/50 Raffle - Minnick
THANK YOU
Winterfest Committee:
Brenda Barker
Peg Williams
Nancy Leighner
Marti Lentz
Deb Hecht
Leah Hays
Twyla Hayes
Gingerbread Christmas Tree: Susan Sherrick and Jean Henkle
Hanging Outside Park Lights
Village Workers:
Tom Berhs, Jeff Long, Aaron Temple, Blair Shaffer
along with Jennifer Brandt, Peg Williams and Brenda Barker
Inside Community Building Set Up:
Dennis Hecht, Pete Hayes, Steve Thompson and Bryan Sutton
Santa House - Dick and Karen Sapp
Mr. and Mrs. Claus - Casey and Karen Nuttle
Carriage Rides - Rockford Eagles
Shanes Crossing Historical Society:
Log house cookies and hot cider
Mr and Mrs Gingerbread Storytellers:
Robert and Carolyn Highley
Winterfest Photographer - Pat Agler
Luminaries - Mark and Tina Heitkamp
Ice Cream Machine - Barry's Market Supplies and Mike Bruns Maintenance
Gingerbread Wooden Men Decorations
Marti Lentz and Janet Steffy
Gingerbread Table Decorations
Dan Henkle and the RUMC Women
Contest sponsors
People's Bank
Rockford Carry Out
Brand It Marketing Communications
Gingerbread House Judge
Rockford Citizen of the Year - Tom Rogers
Youth Group Gingerbread House participants
New Horizons Community Church - winnners
Mendon Church of God
St Teresa Catholic Church
Rockford United Methodist Church
Mt. Tabor Church of God
Mendon Church of God
St John Lutheran
Kid's Activities - Deb Hecht
Cookies - Connie Hamrick
Food Stand
Rob Hoehammer and New Horizons Community Church
Hot Chocolate and Cappuccino Nancy Leighner and Barb Padroza Splash Pad Committee
Live Nativity - St Teresa Catholic Church
Poinsettias and Misc Decorations - Peg Williams
Pianist - Paula Linn
Announcer - Richard Sherrick
Clean Up
Pete Hayes
Eileen Davis
Peg Williams
Brenda Barker
Twyla Hayes
Leah Hays
Marti Lentz
Rockford FUN Challenge held in June at the Rockford Community Days raised money to benefit the Rockford Winterfest.
Click here to view the 2011 Winterfest poster!
Looking for interested community members to work with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce on the 2012 Winterfest. Interest persons can response by email or by contacting President Bryan Sutton.
History
Rockford Christmas Walk
The Rockford Christmas Walk was started in 1994. There were 4 houses on the tour of homes. They were Reed & Nancy Schaffer, Don & Ethel Pontsler, Jeff & Tammy Ponstler and John & Nancy Smith. Along with the home tours, over 20 area crafters were set up in the downtown businesses along with a live nativity and musical entertainment.
The Christmas Walk was started in order to promote the downtown businesses and get more people downtown to support the businesses, especially during the holiday season.
