Spooky season is over, and the holidays are just around the corner. Locals will make their way to uptown Rock Falls for the Hometown Holidays from Nov. 17 – Nov. 19. The Hometown Holidays is a series of Christmas-filled activities to kick off the holiday season that brings family and friends together.

  Day one of Hometown Holidays is Holiday Bingo. Holiday Bingo is taking place Nov. 17 at Rock Falls American Legion, but no one under 18 is allowed to participate in this activity. The doors for this event open at 4 p.m, and the games start at 6 p.m. Tickets for the event have already sold out because the prize values range from $50-$500, and a jackpot full of gift cards. In addition, this activity includes a dinner menu with snacks and drinks provided by RF Legion Auxiliary.

  Day two is the annual Hometown Holidays Christmas Walk; a local tradition for nearly thirty years. The Christmas Walk takes place on November 18 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. in uptown Rock Falls. The Christmas walk brings the joys of Christmas to life as it includes activities for children of all ages. Children get to meet Santa, his elves, and real reindeer! 

  In addition to this, the Christmas Walk includes many free attractions such as wagon rides, holiday hayrack, pony rides, a petting zoo, and a live performance on stage. Children can take photos with Frozen characters, Buddy the elf, the Grinch, and superheroes. Local businesses will have open houses and booths with free activities, treats, hot cocoa, and more.

  That same night is the Love Light Ceremony, and this reading ceremony is dedicated to loved ones who are no longer with us. The reading is located at 201 E. 2nd St. Rock Falls at 6 p.m. on the RB & W Riverfront Stage.

  Toward the end of the night, a $1,000 giveaway is located at the RB & W Amphitheater at 7:30 p.m. This award can only be given to an attendee who is 18 years old or older. In order to win, tickets are issued at special booths. 

  Day three of the Hometown Holiday takes place Nov. 19 with several festive activities. First, Grinch Dodgeball will take place at the Centennial Park Tennis Courts in Rock Falls at 12 p.m. Children will play dodgeball with the Grinch and Santa as the referee. This activity would be great for  younger siblings or families to attend.

  That same day there will be two craft shows, the Modern Woodman Craft Show at First Congregational Church and East Coloma Craft Show at Harvest Time Bible Church. These craft shows will have many booths from local or self-owned businesses. Crafters sell anything from cookies to blankets and necklaces. The unique items are enchanting to look at, even if you don’t want to spend any money.

  Wrapping up the Hometown Holidays is a photography contest for 4th – 12th graders. The photo’s subject must be “What Hometown Holidays mean to me?” Winners will be announced Dec. 16th, with $50 awarded to the 1st place winner of group A: fourth – seventh-grade students, and $100 awarded to 1st place winner of group B: eighth – 12th-grade students.

  If you can’t make it to this year’s events, at the end of November, there will be a Holiday light display at Centennial Park in Rock Falls. This light display will be open from 5:30- 8:30 pm Friday – Sunday, beginning November 25 – Dec 23. In addition, there will be a special holiday radio to listen to as you drive through the park.

  So, if you missed any of these joyous occasions, don’t worry; there’s always next year’s Hometown Holidays, and who knows what’s in store next year.