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  "description": "The Rockton Lions gave $64,00 back to the community. ",
  "path": "/rockton-lions-club-gives-back-through-old-settlers-days-festival/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-07-04T09:00:27.000Z",
  "site": "https://roscoenews.com",
  "textContent": "Before gates opened four days of summer fun and thousands of visitors were welcomed into Settlers Park the Rockton Lion’s Club held a blood drive, organized by Rockton Lion, John Schamell.\n\nThe drive June 18 is one of several important aspects that make up the Rockton Lions Club Old Settlers Days festival.\n\nMaggie Anderson, Marketing and Recruitment Specialist at the Rock River Blood Center said, “We had 186 donors, and we collected 144 successful units of blood. This is one of our biggest drives of the year and we are very grateful.”\n\nAll donors received a free festival pass. An extra pass was given to those who donated a pair of glasses while giving blood.\n\nCarol Wright, Scott Denowh, and Karen Martin served as this year's event organizers. Over a hundred volunteers assisted in different sections of the festival.\n\nOn the festival grounds little ones rode on hot air balloons, teacups, on the Orient Express, in fun cars,on bumble bees, or in the Fire Chief.\n\nTeenagers and older took a spin on the Tornado, Down Draft, The Sizzler, the Ferris Wheel, Bumper Cars, or the Zipper and Zero Gravity.\n\n“The Ferris Wheel was my favorite ride. It brought me back to my childhood. I used to go on the Ferris Wheel when I was a kid when they had Old Settlers Days on Rockton’s Main Street. My parents would take me, my sister, and my brother and we had always had such a great time,”said Amy Adair.\n\nGames ranged from basketball and Skeeball to the Big Blaster, a balloon pop, Gator Grab, E-Claw machines, a photo booth, a Fun House and more.\n\nFood and beverage choices included everything from pizza, pulled pork, elephant ears, deep fried Twinkies or Oreo, specialty meals, and an old fashioned soda hut.\n\nAdair gave her take on the food options, “I loved the Cotton candy, and the corn dogs.”\n\n\nSounds of Country music came alive each night. Chris Janson gave a great performance on the main stage with special guest Hunter Flynn on Thursday night.\n\nFriday evening featured an electrifying show by Ashley McBryde.\n\nOriginally Dalton Davis was set to open for McBryde but had to cancel his performance as he and his wife welcomed a baby, right before Father’s Day.\n\nJake Hess stepped in to open for McBryde while displaying his talents.\n\nSaturday Lauren Alaina hit the stage with John Morgan, and on Sunday John Ross as Just Jayne warmed up the audience.\n\nJust Jayne warmed up the crowd on Sunday night. Photo/Marianne Mueller\n\nChristine Lawver said, “I thought that all of the shows were great. Sunday’s show was my favorite and the rain didn’t spoil our fun!”\n\nBarbara Rothmaler echoed Lawver’s sentiments about the concerts.\n\nRothmaler added, “Shout out to all of the sponsors who helped make this weekend possible, to all of the volunteers who work so hard to put on this fundraiser, and a shout out to the law enforcement who worked hard to protect everyone and to keep us all safe!\n\nDifferent genres of music were covered by Rollin Whiskey, Hank’s Neighbors, Random AF and On the Rocks in the Apex General Contracting Beer Tent.\n\nDirt Road Rebelz was originally scheduled on Sunday but were unable to perform due to rainy weather conditions.\n\nBefore the rain shut the rides down on Sunday, \"sensory friends\" from local school districts had a chance to ride in an environment providing less stimulation.\n\nHigh level sponsors qualify to enjoy the Lions Club VIP tent. For these major donors who help to fund the festival, food, beverage choices and ideal seating for concerts is included.\n\nParty tents offered an extra fun option this year.\n\nVendors offered t-shirts, cowboy hats and hat umbrellas, yard decor, plus other unique items.\n\nMaking getting into the festival easier is SMTD (Stateline Mass Transit) who has continued partnering with the Lions Club by offering the best of their fleet to provide free shuttle bus service from the Hononegah High school parking lot to the festival grounds, all four days.\n\n\nOne year ago on the Sunday of the OSD festival Randy Stien and Nicole Walker got engaged on the main stage. This year Walker was drawn as the Mega 50/50 raffle winner.\n\nThe Rockton Lions have received specific recognition for living out their mission.\n\nIn 2018 the Rockton Lions Club was presented with a RAMI- Rockford Area Music Industry Award for the OSD festival. In 2026 they were nominated for a Stately Award from the Stateline Chamber of Commerce.\n\n\nKeeping in line with the Rockton Lions motto, “We Serve” profits of the OSD festival are given back to the community through various donations.\n\nDuring the festival the Rockton Lion’s Club gave more substantial donations, with a check presentation each day of the festival. The club donated to the Center for Sight and Hearing, the Old Stone Church Food Pantry, Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF)and Hononegah Stateline Robotics.\n\nThis year the Rockton Lions Club has donated over $64,000 back to the community.\n\nOther organizations assisted by the Rockton Lions Club include but are not limited to: The Carrie Lynn Center, Boy Scout Troop#619, Girl Scouts, Talcott Library, and fire and police departments. The Lions have also supported “Shoebox for Soldiers.”\n\nAnnually the Rockton Lions Club assures that local families have a brighter Christmas through Wimpy’s Fund.\n\nAn all volunteer committee starts planning for this mega four day event in August. The Rockton Lions Club works closely with the Village of Rockton, Village Public Works Department and Rockton Police Department to bring this venue offering something for everyone all while continuing to give back to the community they serve.",
  "title": "Rockton Lions Club gives back through Old Settler’s Day’s Festival",
  "updatedAt": "2026-07-04T11:00:27.469Z"
}