Rockton Pelican Fest

Celebrate Pelicans and the Community with Family and Friends

Free Admission

Check out and download the: Rockton Pelican Fest 2022 Map & Activities Brochure.

JR Finally Art Studio & Gallery, the Viillage of Rockton, Sinnissippi Audubon Society, and Natural Land Institute are pleased to partner together to present Rockton Pelican Fest for the community to experience and enjoy. 

Rockton Pelican Fest is a celebration of the American White Pelicans migrating through the Rockton area and Nygren Wetland Preserve, the Rock River, wildlife and other natural assets surrounding Rockton, and promotes the local retail shops, eateries, and arts and culture of the historic Village of Rockton, Illinois.

Visit downtown Rockton shops and restaurants, outdoor vendor booths in the street/sidewalk area, participate in activities for kids and families, attend birding themed lectures and guided hikes. 

Festival attendees will also be encouraged to visit nearby Nygren Wetland Preserve (3714 W. Rockton Rd.) to look for pelicans and other wildlife at the Wildlife Overlook. They can drive there on their own or use the free shuttle service provided by Stateline Mass Transit District from downtown Rockton. Guided hikes will be provided at Nygren Wetland at 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM. An Early Bird Walk will begin at 7:30 AM.

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Activities

More to be added on an ongoing basis.

At Nygren Wetland Preserve Wildlife Overlook, 3714 W. Rockton Rd., Rockton

For the Early Birds!

7:30 a.m. Birders Hike at Nygren Wetland Preserve. Starts at the Wildlife Overlook: 3714 W. Rockton Rd., Rockton, IL. Free. No registration. Arrive a few minutes early. Tour will leave from the Overlook by 7:40 a.m.

Take the free shuttle bus provided by Stateline Mass Transit District from downtown Rockton to the Nygren Wetland Wildlife Overlook between 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. It will pick up and drop off at the corner of Main and Prairie Streets on an ongoing basis (about every 20 minutes).

Guided Hikes start from the Wildlife Overlook at 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., led by bird enthusiast and NLI Trustee, Rob Clark.

In Downtown Rockton 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Talks at Village Hall: (110 E. Main St.)

• 11:00 a.m. – “Hoo” Haven with Rocky Road, the pelican
• 1:00 p.m. – Peregrine Falcon presentation by Sinnissippi Audubon President, Jennifer Kuroda

Talk at Talcott Free Library (101 E. Main St.)

• 2:00 p.m. – Bryan Holliday

Booths and Activities

• 815 Outside – kids activity
• “Hoo” Haven
• JR Finally Art Studio & Gallery – make and take art, photo opps with Jerry the Pelican and a photo booth
• Natural Land Institute – kids activity: Feed the “Pelican” – first 60 participants get a pelican sticker, plus prizes
• Nature at the Confluence
• Rockford Park District Atwood Center – see an owl and more
• Rockton Remembers: Hononegah Statue
• Sinnissippi Audubon Society – see a falcon and learn about all kinds of birds, Feed the “Pelican”
• Stateline STEM for Kids

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Specials and Features

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Thank you to our Event Sponsors ($500 +)

Winnebago County Pheasants Forever

Sinnissippi Audubon Society

Thank you to our Participating Business Sponsors ($100+):

• 815 Outside
• After the Vine
• Balsley Printing
• Dee Dee’s Cafe
• Edward Jones Brenda Brugger CRPC®
• The Gem Shop
• HD Jameson House
• “Hoo”Haven Wildlife & Education Center
• JR Finally Art Studio & Gallery
• Natural Land Institute
• Pick-A-Dilly Antiques
• Positive Changes Chiropractic
• Ray’s Family Restaurant
• Rockton Inn Pub & Grub
• Sanctuary Spa
• Sugar Britches Old-Fashioned CANDY
• The Village of Rockton
• Wild Birds Unlimited (Roscoe and Rockford)

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Event Sponsors ($500 +)

 

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Free Shuttle Provided By

 

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Participating Business Sponsors ($100)