Thanks for stopping by the Rock Falls Tourism Booth last Saturday during the YMCA's Outdoor Adventure Fest!  It was nice to meet so many people and share information with you about what is going on in and around the area!

Congratulations to Drew K. for winning the 5 game combo pack and to Mike E. for winning the fishing pole from our drawing.  We hope you have a great time and enjoy them with your friends and families.

There is much to do in the area, so please go to our website www.visitrockfalls.com any time to find out what else is going on.  If you have specific questions you can email our office at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 815-380-2300. 

You are receiving this email because you supplied your email address.  The Rock Falls Tourism office currently puts out 4-6 newsletters per year or when really special events are about to happen.  We do not share the information with anyone else.  But if you do not wish to receive the e-newsletter (but we hope you do!) go to the bottom of the page and unsubscribe.

Again, thanks for stopping by our booth!  Have a great day!

Rock Falls Tourism

Enjoy the 4th of July weekend with all the festivities going on in and around the area.  However, it just wouldn't be 4th of July without the FIREWORKS!

Here are a few going on in and around the Rock Falls area!  Enjoy and be safe!

Prophetstown:  (Sunday) Fireworks at Dusk at the Prophetstown State Park - for info  call 815-537-2093

Amboy:  (Saturday) Fireworks at Dusk - for info call 815-857-3814

Sterling:  (Saturday)Fireworks at Dusk at the Westood Sports and FItness Center - Admission is $5 per car load.  Put on by the Jaycees,

Savanna - (Sunday) A free fireworks display at the West Carroll High School (and fire truck rides) begins at 6:30 pm

Mount Carroll  (Monday) Fireworks at dusk - at the West Carroll Middle School - show is free

Enjoy the Midwest's Largest Elk & Buffalo Burger Cookout!  July 8, 9 & 10

at the Jeff Bright RV Center, east Route 30 in Rock Falls.

The Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce invites you to come with your whole family to enjoy Elk & Buffalo Burgers, Alligator Brats, Pork Chops and MORE!

This year enjoy three days of Antique tractors, Business showcases, great food, entertainment and a Beer Garden. 

Entertainment both Friday and Saturday night!  Enjoy the sounds of The Funnies on Friday night from 8pm to 11 pm and The Kizmaz on Saturday night from 8pm to 11pm.  The tractor show will be held both Saturday and Sunday and other activities will vary all three days!  You don't want to miss it!  Tickets can be purchased on site,

The cookout hours are Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm and Sunday 11 am to 2 pm.

For more information visit the Rock Falls Chamber website:  www.rockfallschamber.com or call 815-625-4500.

 Summer cookout flyer 1.24 Mb

Abraham Lincoln, then 47, a lawyer and former congressman from Springfield, came to Sterling to speak at a rally for the Republican Party's first presidential candidate, John C. Fremont.  On July 18, 1856, a twist of fate brought Mr. Lincoln to the home of Sheriff William Manahan to spend the night.  He slept on a sofa with two chairs placed at its end to accommodate his long legs.  In the morning, one can imagine, he graciously thanked his host and left Sterling for a speaking engagement in Chicago..... The rest is HISTORY!

In honor of this auspicious date, July 18, the Sterling - Rock Falls Historical Society invites you to join them as they dedicate their new museum.  For the past four-plus years the Society has been involved in a complex and comprehensive project to restore the Manahan home and return its interior, furnishings, and facade to be of the time when Lincoln visited in the late 1850's, 

The ceremony will start at 5:30 on a stage in the front of the house. (East 6th between 6th and 7th streets will be closed from 4:30 to 7:30 for the festivities)

Along with the ribbon cutting there will be music and entertainment. 

  Manahan Dedication Flyer 1.19 Mb

Enjoy a weekend full of great soulful music Chicago Style!  The event keeps building, started in 2009 at the Starlight Lounge, this year the event begins there on Friday night, but moves outdoors Saturday afternoon and evening.

  Bluesfest Flyer 335.97 Kb

This year's line up includes:

• Friday -  6pm - Filisko & Noden
• Fridiay - 8 pm - Barstool Bob Band
• Friday - 10pm - Starlight Band
• Saturday - 2pm - Aaron Williams and the Hoodoo
• Saturday - 4 pm - Glenn Davis, Matt Goodwin & Westside Andy
• Saturday - 6 pm - Starlight Band
• Saturday - 8 pm - The Cash Box Kings
• Saturday - 1o pm - Mississippi Heat

All this wonderful music at a great price!  $5.00 a day in advance or $10 a day at the door.  Food and drinks will be provided.  Bring a lawn chair, and enjoy world class music!

For more information contact the Sterling Main Street - 815-686-8610 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Enjoy a leisurely self-guided barn tour through the western portion of Whiteside County.  This year the tour starts along the banks of the Mississippi River in Fulton at the De Immigrant Windmill and Cultural Center.  It's fully operational and hand crafted by Dutch craftsman in the Netherlands and assembled here.  It's a must see!

The tour will bring you to some of the area's most intersting  barns, a sample of this year's barns:

• the "Hooch" barn that hid a still during Prohibition
• A dairy barn, still in operation
• A new horse barn that houses Percheron draft and cross bred driving horses
• A bird barn, used to raise birds for a hunting preserve
• An old barn constructed with hand-hewn beams, sawn beams and tree trunks
• A barn with a pole floor hay mow
• And along the way antique farm machinery and classic cars

The Whiteside County Cattleman's Association will have lunch available at a barn site.  Restrooms will also be available along the route.

Admission is $20 per vehicle, Price includes a tour book and map.  Tickets available at the admission booth of the De Immigrant Windmill.

For more information contact the Whiteside County Farm Bureau, 100 East Knox Street, Morrison, IL  61270

815-772-2165 or 1-877-629-3276

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 Barn Tour Flyer 3.17 Mb