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Heritage and Holidays

Sterling and Rock Falls residents know how to celebrate! Join our families and friends for the many festivals and events throughout the year. We encourage you to become part of our celebrations. Our communities have the support and involvement of our residents when sponsoring unique and extraordinary events and activities.

The first weekend in May features the Twin Cities Garage Sale. There will be hundreds of garage sales throughout the Twin Cities of Rock Falls and Sterling, a perfect time to find those treasures!

In June, area families can be found enjoying the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce annual carnival. The five-day event is held in the parking lot of Northland Mall shopping center.

July 4th is always a big BANG! The Sterling-Rock Falls Jaycees supply fire works, and on the Wednesday closest to the 4th, the Sterling Municipal Band performs a concert at the Grandon Bandshell complete with the 1812 Overture and cannon fire.

The second weekend in July is the annual Rock Falls Chamber Summer Cookout featuring buffalo and elk burgers, pork chop sandwiches and alligator sausages. Dozens of local businesses participate by sponsoring beanbag tournaments and car shows. More than 2,000 people attend the event annually.

Labor Day Weekend brings the start of Sterling’s Mural Fest, which involves the painting of a new historical mural.

In mid-September, visitors to the area can help locals celebrate the towns’ Latin American heritage during Fiesta Days. Visitors can watch the crowning of the Fiesta Queen, the Fiesta Parade (which goes through both towns), folkloric dancers and cultural entertainment.

Another popular September event is the Sterling Public Library’s annual Storytelling Festival. Take time from celebrating to listen to some of the best storytellers in the country; they will scare you, make you laugh and make you cry. Bring the kids; they may see one of their friends onstage telling stories of their own!

Christmas brings its own memories. Rock Falls’ Hometown Holidays - the weekend before Thanksgiving - features live reindeer, living windows, a parade, a Christmas Walk and a party with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The Festival of Trees, which is held around Thanksgiving, benefits the Hospice of the Rock River Valley and involves organizations in both towns. Sterling’s Seasonal Sights and Sounds (events held the week following Thanksgiving) celebrates with business open houses, a Toys for Tots drive, a parade, entertainment and, of course, Santa. The Dillon Home Museum and the Sterling Rock Falls Historical Society Museum continue the festivities with Christmas Past Open House.

In addition to the various Chamber- sponsored celebrations, many of the local businesses sponsor events suited to the season. Throughout the year Northland Mall hosts craft shows and other events like the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Showcase. Westwood Sports and Expo Center hosts numerous sporting events as well as the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce & Illinois Farm Bureau’s Northwest IL Farm Show that is held each December.