Rockton Pelican Fest Offering free family fun, celebrating the American White Pelican

from Roscoe/Rockton Our Town 2023

by Southern Lakes Newspapers / Rock Valley Publishing

MACKTOWN LIVING HISTORY: Families learn history in interactive fashion

The third annual Rockton Pelican Fest, sponsored by Audubon Council of Illinois, was held May 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Rockton and at Nygren Wetland Preserve.

Rockton Pelican Fest is presented by the Village of Rockton, JR Finally Art Studio & Gallery, Natural Land Institute and Sinnissippi Audubon Society, and is a free family-oriented event that gives people of all ages the opportunity to learn about and celebrate the return of the American White Pelican to the Rock River and the nearby Nygren Wetland Preserve.

Families and individuals were able to spend time together exploring historic downtown Rockton, local businesses, restaurants, and outdoor vendor booths, participating in activities, attending lectures about birds and other wildlife, and attending guided nature hikes at Nygren Wetland Preserve.

Lectures took place at Talcott Free Library and Rockton Village Hall. Hoo Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center did a presentation with a live American white pelican at 11 a.m. at Rockton Village Hall. New this year was the Illinois Natural History Survey’s Traveling Science Center featuring informative and engaging exhibits on biodiversity and natural resources. Stateline Mass Transit District provided free shuttle bus service from Rockton to the Nygren Wetland Wildlife Overlook (3714 W. Rockton Road) throughout the festival where visitors were met by a knowledgeable volunteer to talk about birds and other wildlife. Free guided walking tours of Nygren Wetland started at the overlook at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m.

Especially for birders: Birders enjoyed the Early Bird Walk at 7:30 a.m., meeting at the Nygren Wetland Wildlife Overlook, presented by Sinnissippi Audubon Society. For more information visit NaturalLand. org, SinnissippiAudubon.org and Facebook/ Rockton Pelican Fest.