Special Events and Festivals

A year of festivals at Rockome Gardens: Rendezvous, bluegrass, horse pulls, car cruise-in, wine and cheese, pumpkin festival, Pioneer Days and more.

Event List

Rockome Special Events

Art on the Lawn

Basket Festival

Bluegrass Music

Car Show

Cowboy Camp

Family Band

Flea Market

Horse Plowing

Horse Pull

Pioneer Days

Pumpkin Festival

Rendezvous

Rodeo

Wildlife Encounters

Wild West Days

Wine and Cheese Festival

World War II

Cowboy camp is Rockome's newest event that will run each Saturday (May 1 - October 31) from 10 am to 4 pm. Pre-registration by 3 pm Friday is required with a minimum of 6 total participants and not more than 10. Individuals and families are welcome! A $65 fee is paid in advance and includes two simple Cowboy Campfire meals plus admission to Rockome Gardens. Applicants will be taught Cowboy basics like riding, roping, branding, and driving. There is an age limit of 8 years old for this activity. Are you a retiree looking for a fun weekend activity? Couples, love horses or watching cowboy movies? Come experience the adventure for yourself! Horses and gear provided. Contact our cowboys at [email protected].

May 2 and September 19 at Rockome you can take part in Horse Farming Days. Many of the present day 'green farm techniques' are rooted in practices used in 'days gone by'. Learn how farming use to be done. Take part and try it out for yourself. Plowing is from 10am to 3pm.

Free admission to mothers on Mother's Day, May 10.

May 30 & 31 Rockome presents the Family Band Weekend. Families of musicians are coming to the Gardens to put on a show for your family. Maybe proof that musical talent is genetic, these skilled entertainers will be providing hours of enjoyment. Currently scheduled to preform The Majerus Family, Lonesome Meadow, Conley & Schmidt, Illinois Rail, Blue River Bluegrass, The King Family, Common Ground, and Heartland Cloggers. The entrance will be $12 on these days to help cover the cost of the entertainment.

June 3 - 7 and September 2 - 7 is Rendezvous at Rockome. It features Mountain Man era reenactment from the early 1800's featuring a look at those who settled our country. Also available are hand-made items in the style of the times. Daily events and competitions are scheduled throughout the week. Listen to tale tales, clap your hands and stomp your feet to the music, enjoy some tasty treats, and make new friends.

June 6 & 7, July 4 & 5, Aug 1 & 2, Sept 5 & 6, Oct 3 & 4 Flea Market composed of artisans, collectibles and antiques. Call Larry at Rockome to reserve a booth. If you are interested in setting up for the market the cost is $50 for 2 tables Saturday and Sunday. Fridays set up is free. Each additional table is $10. We ask that you bring quality goods only please.

June 6 is reserved for the Basket Festival. You can explore wonderful decorating and gift ideas.

June 24 - 28 is our History of WWII Exhibit and June 27 & 28 is the WWII Event. Available for view will be Axis and Allied camps. There will be WWII vehicles on display that will be used in the battle. Public battles will be twice on Saturday and the final on Sunday, with skits all day in the town. If you're curious, a reenactment enthusiast, or just like men in uniform, come to Rockome and see all we have to offer.

July 15 – 19 is Pioneer Days at the Gardens. Catch a glimpse of yesteryear with this journey in time.

July 18 is Rockome's Horse Pul l event. It gives visitors a chance to observe and learn about what horse power originally meant thru an ages old competition of horse pulling. There will be at least six groups of teamsters and their horses scheduled for the competition. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions about the various equipment. The event is planned to begin at 1pm.

July 22 - 26 the Coles County Regulators will be performing Cowboy skits and entertainments in Old Bagdad town at Rockome. They will also answer questions and display some cowboy horse riding equipment. It will be a fun time with black powder shooting and the Regulator's Wild West antics.

August 12 - 16 Rockome hosts Wildlife Encounters. Due to its popularity last year, this event featuring exotic animals will return. Trained handlers will give detailed narratives about the animals and answer questions. Last year the event included a hawk, a porcupine, a cobra and others. Wildlife Encounters showtimes: 11:00AM, 2:00PM & 4:30PM

August 22 & 23 is the weekend for Bluegrass in the Gardens. Come listen to old country music from the hills. It'll get your toes tappin' and your head bobbin'. The Bluegrass Festival presents a great opportunity to enjoy national, regional, and local touring bands in a family friendly atmosphere. This is a chance to catch some impromptu jam sessions. There will be a $12 gate fee to assist in the cost of the entertainment.

September 12 is also the date for Rockome's 3rd Annual Car & Truck Cruise-In. The show runs from 10am – 5pm. Music by DJ Todd Futz @ 12 & 2. A wide variety of cars will be on display. Car registration starts at 10am with a $10 entry fee which includes admission for the day. We’ll have Dash Plaques, Top 30 Awards, Best of Show, and Door Prizes. You can remember the old days while viewing the examples of classic cars.

September 12 & 13 is the date for the Illinois High School Rodeo. Come have a whoop hollerin' good time!

September 26 & 27 is the Wine & Cheese Festival. We will have an array of wines to sample and cheese to go with it. You are welcome to come enjoy to day and see what the vines of Illinois have to offer.

Paired with the Wine & Cheese Festival is Rockome's Art on the Lawn September 26 & 27. This event features local and national artists.

September 15 - 30 and all during the month of October the Pumpkin Festival can be found at Rockome. We have a Corn Maze, Hayride, pumpkins for sale and much more!

Anniversary - Art on the Lawn - Bluegrass Music - Car Show - Chicken Bingo - Cloggers - Cowboy Camp - Cross Stitch - Dog Show - Doll Show - Farm Toy Show - Fishing Contest - Halloween - Horse Plowing - Horse Pull - Indian Powwow - Kidfest - Lincoln Days - Quilt Auction - Quilt Celebration - Plane Show - Regulators - Rondezvous - Train Show - Wildlife Encounters - Wine and Cheese Festival - World War II

March 29 the Ms. Arcola Pageant is at Rockome. There are 4 age divisions: Little Ms., Junior Ms., Teen, and Ms. Arcola. The show starts at seven and usually lasts three or more hours. A plated chicken or ham dinner will be available in the Rockome restaurant before the show, from 3-7. This event is sponsored by the Arcola Chamber of Commerce and Rockome.

April 19th, May 24th, August 9th and September 13th the doors open at 10 am for Rockome's Old-Fashioned Quilt Auction. Come view the quilts before the auction starts at one. An Amish auctioneer will be calling for the sale. They will be sold to the highest bidder. A large selection of quilts will be available for auction. Most of them will be hand-made items.

April 26 & 27 the Tri-County Flying Club will have a large display of remote control planes. If the weather permits, they will also have flying demonstrations.

April 26th & 27th and October 25 & 26 Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm, come see the Makin' Tracks Model Railroad & Swap Meet. There will be dozens of vendors buying selling, swapping new and old model trains, items, supplies and memorabilia. Come see realistic operating layouts in many gauges.

April 26th & 27th is also Rockome Garden's Dog Days. You can adopt a dog from a No Kill Shelter, there is a dog show at 1 pm Saturday (sign-up from 11 am - 12:30 pm), a police canine unit demonstration, and the famous Dave the Math Dog (as seen on the David Letterman Show) has an exhibit. Dogs get in free (includes Dog Show registration) with owner's paid admission. Activities will be held outdoors, weather permitting.

April 26th and September 27 at Rockome you can also take part in Horse Plowing Days. Many of the present day 'green farm techniques' are rooted in practices used in 'days gone by'. Learn how farming use to be done. Take part and try it out for yourself.

May 3rd & June 7th Rockome will offer an event for those wishing to have some 'chicken fun' while helping support the Rockome Educational fund. Participants might walk away with winnings as well! Those interested will pay $1 to obtain one of twenty spaces, in the hope that the Rockome Chicken will pick their space to do its business on. All proceeds from this activity will go to support the Rockome Learning Foundation Inc. This helps fund educational/school groups and is tax deductable. Number of games each day is dependent upon the amount of available persons. You can pet and interact with our talented Rockome chicken before and after its performances in the Chicken Bingo.

May 4th is also the date of the first annual "Reflections of Dolls" Doll Show at Rockome. There will be an early bird opening May 3rd from 3-5 pm for those so inclined. The main show runs from 10 to 4 on Sunday with a special appearance by Joni Wannamaker from 10 to 1. Joni is the granddaughter of Johnny Gruelle (creator of Raggedy Ann and Andy) and will be signing licensed Raggedy Ann and Andy products. The show includes a vast array of dolls from antique (German and French bisque, china) to vintage (20's - 70's) to modern (Tonner, Essanbee, Lee Middleton, just to name a few). The show includes not only dolls, but doll accessories like furniture, clothing, and parts. Come remember with Rockome as you view these wonderful creations.

May 9-11, August 30-September 1, and July 11-20 is Rendezvous at Rockome. It features Mountain Man era reenactment from the early 1800's and the people who settled our country. Also available are hand-made items in the style of the times. There is free admission for mothers on their special day. July 11th thru the 20th is the Midwest Primitive Rendezvous. One of five national rendezvous held each year it covers the entire time line of 1750 through 1840. Daily events and competitions are scheduled throughout the week. Listen to tale tales, clap your hands and stomp your feet to the music, enjoy some tasty treats, and make new friends.

May 16-18, June 20-22, July 25-27, Aug 8-10, Sept 19-21, Oct 10-12 Flea Market composed of artisans, collectibles and antiques. Call Larry at Rockome to reserve a booth.

May 17 & 18 bring the kids for a weekend of old fashioned fun. Try games and entertainments from times past. Spend time with the kids during a weekend of family fun at our Kidfest.

May 24th thru 26th is Indian Powwow at Rockome. The drums will be beating all weekend at the park. Come see the colorful dress of dancers.

May 30th thru June 1st is our 50th Anniversary Celebration. Why not come on over and enjoy the day with us? We have special entertainments planned that should be enjoyed by all.

June 6-15 is a favorite time of Cross Stitch enthusiasts to come to Rockome. This year our National Counted Cross Stitch Show will be no exception. We've got a great Show planned for you with stitching seminars taught by nationally known instructors, stitching judged competition, NCCSS Marketplace, country evening stitching activities and much, much more! We have a whole booklet for it online here.

June 7th & 8th Rockome is hosting a Big Fish Contest. There will be divisions by age group. You can fish at Rockome whenever you like, but this time you have a chance to win! Our pond is out back of the Trading Post and free gear is available for use.

June 14th and 15th is Lincoln days at Rockome. There will be activities based around Illinois' most famous President and you might even see Lincoln himself come to visit. You can hear stories about Lincoln and his life.

June 28th & 29th is our WWII reenactment of the liberation of Caen. You can tour the occupied French town. Available for view will be Axis and Allied camps. There will be WWII vehicles on display that will be used in the battle. Public battles will be twice on Saturday and the final on Sunday, with skits all day in the town. Make sure to keep your French ID handy at all times. If you're curious, a reenactment enthusiast, or just like men in uniform, come to Rockome and see the event. There will also be a USO show Saturday night in the style of the 40’s, but it will only be open to those 21 and older as there will be a bar available.

July 4th thru 13th is the 32nd Annual Quilt Celebration at Rockome. On display will be a variety of quilts, many hand made by local quilters. This week long event includes an East Central Illinois Shop Hop July 10-12. View the Quilt Celebration Booklet!

July 19th is Rockome's Horse Pull event. It gives visitors a chance to observe and learn about what horse power originally meant thru an ages old competition of horse pulling. There will be at least six groups of teamsters and their horses scheduled for the competition. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions about the various equipment.

July 23rd thru 27th Rockome hosts Wildlife Encounters. Due to its popularity last year, this event featuring exotic animals will return. Trained handlers will give detailed narratives about the animals and answer questions. Last year the event included a bear, hawks, snakes, and others.

August 1st thru 3rd is the Farm Toy Show at Rockome from 10 am to 5 pm. Come see a wide selection of toys both vintage and modern. They are available for trade or purchase. Also during the show is a Consignment Sale at 1 pm on August 2nd.

August 23 & 24th is the weekend for Bluegrass in the Gardens. Come listen to old country music from the hills. It'll get your toes tappin' and your head bobbin'. The Bluegrass Festival presents a great opportunity to enjoy national, regional, and local touring bands in a family friendly atmosphere. This is a chance to catch some impromptu jam sessions. Our groups this year include Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, The Wright Sisters, The Harmans, The Bankester Family, Common Ground, Diamond Hill Station, Tommy Brown & Country Line Grass and Cornfields & Crossroad.

August 30 & 31 the Coles County Regulators will be performing Cowboy skits and entertainments in Old Bagdad town at Rockome. They will also answer questions and display some cowboy horse riding equipment. It will be a fun time with black powder shooting and the Regulator's antics.

September 13 the Heartland Cloggers hit the stage. They go beyond toe tappin' to down right foot stompin' fun. Based in Peoria, this all female group has won many awards and always put on a good show.

September 13 is also the date for Rockome's 2 nd Annual Car & Truck Cruise-In. The show runs from 10am – 5pm. Music by DJ Todd Futz @ 12 & 2. A wide variety of cars will be on display. Car registration starts at 10am with a $10 entry fee which includes admission for the day. We’ll have Dash Plaques, Top 30 Awards, Best of Show, and Door Prizes. You can remember the old days while viewing the examples of classic cars.

September 27 & 28 is the Wine & Cheese Festival. We will have an array of Illinois Wines to sample and cheese to go with it. You are welcome to come enjoy to day and see what the vines of Illinois have to offer.

October 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 23 - 25 and 29 - 31 it's time to get your spook on at Rockome. We have a fun Halloween time planned. Come join us!

Events Schedule

2011 CALENDER OF EVENTS

April 29 - Opening Day

May 7 - Spring Horse Plowing Day

June 11 - June Jamboree Music Festival**

July 16 - Farm Horse Pull

July 16 - Wanda Brunsetter Book Signing & Meal in an Amish Home with Wanda (Author of Amish fiction books for children & adults and cookbooks)

August 6 - State of Illinois Kiddie Pedal Tractor Pull

August 6 & 7 - Antique Show Bluegrass in the Gardens Music Festival**

Sept 15 - Oct 31 - Five Mile Experience with The Great Pumpkin Patch

September 17 - Pony Pull Farm

September 17 - Horse Plowing

October 1 - 31 - Five Mile Experience with The Great Pumpkin Patch (Continued from September 15)

October 8 & 9 - Harvest Festival

** Admission is higher due to live music entertainment on June 11 and August 20 & 21.

events

Festival & Special Events

Rockome provides entertainment through a variety of special events. Each day, gardening & cooking demonstrations, as well as wine & cheese tasting can be enjoyed. Organized planned events are scheduled throughout the year.

Calendar of Events 2006

january

february

march

april

may

june

july

august

september

october

november

december

Calendar of Events 2007

Featured Special Event

Battle Creek Country

Opry at Rockome

Performance Dates

Sept. 2, Sept. 29, & Oct. 27 at 8 p.m.

Rockome Flea Markets

Rockome Flea Market Pricing

$19.99

Two Tables, Two Chairs, and Unlimited Merchandise

If planning to attend Saturday, please be aware that Sunday is Mandatory Attendance

Rockome Garden's Miss Arcola Illinois Beauty Pageant

Rockome Gardens is proud to present the Miss Arcola Beauty Pageant on March 29th.

Rockome Gardens

Beauty Pageant

Rockome Gardens is proud to host the Miss Arcola Beauty Pageant

What

The Rockome Restaurant will be open serving chicken and ham, mashed potatoes, and green beans @ $7.25. Please come enjoy restaurant dining.

When

The Rockome Restaurant will be open from 4:00 until 7:00 serving food before the pageant.

Where

The Rockome Restaurant at Rockome Gardens

Photo Contest

Rockome Gardens wants to celebrate 50 years by having our first annual photo contest.

We are looking for copies of your old photos. We will be having seven separate categories.

Signature______________________________________________________________________________

Any questions please feel free to contact Rhonda Mulvaney either via e-mail at [email protected] or by. Thank you for your participation.

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Rockome Antique Auction

Rockome's Antique Auction

50 Years of Antique Collecting

Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 9:00am

viewing scheduled Friday, October 3, 2008 at 10am - 5pm

see more items here

ask about our 2 day Auction Pass for $10