Big Boy Steam Engine Stop, Dement Town Music Fest in Sauk Valley – Shaw Local

There’s a lot going on in the Sauk Valley over the next few weeks. Here’s a closer look at local events in Lee and Whiteside counties.

1. Rock River Jazz Band Concert: The band will perform a big band revival concert on Saturday, August 31st from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Page Park Band Shell in Dixon. Featuring Angie Harrison and several talented instrumental soloists, the concert will bring to life the classic hits of Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington. The event is free. Page Park is located at 1 Page Park Drive, Dixon.

2. Union Pacific Big Boy Steam Locomotive No. 4014 Whistle Stop: Big Boy will stop at Sterling’s Twin City Farmers Market, 106 Ave. A, on Friday, Sept. 6, from 1:30 to 1:45 p.m. The steam locomotive is coming through Sterling as part of its eight-week “Heartland of America Tour,” which begins in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on Thursday, Aug. 29, and travels through Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas before concluding in October. Fans can track Big Boy’s location along its route via the Steam Locomotive Tracking map on Union Pacific’s website.

3. Dement Town Music Fest: Dement Town Music Fest returns to the 600 block of Depot Avenue in Dixon on Saturday, Sept. 7. Hello Weekend, a high-energy Chicago cover band, will return to headline the event. Joining the lineup this year are local favorite Burn ‘N Bush of Ashton and The Empty Pockets, a powerhouse Chicago band. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Gates open at 2 p.m., with music from 3 to 10 p.m. The event is for all ages. Those 21 and older should be prepared to show ID to purchase alcohol. Seating will be available at picnic tables, but people can bring their own chairs. Outside coolers are not allowed. For full details and advance tickets, visit www.discoverdixon.com/events/dement-town-music-fest.

4. Taste of Fiesta: The 12th annual Taste of Fiesta will be held Saturday, Sept. 7, from noon to 7 p.m. at RB&W District Park, 201 E. Second St., in Rock Falls. Guests can enjoy free entertainment while exploring 20 arts and crafts booths, sampling food from food trucks and booths, and witnessing the coronation of the 2024 Fiesta King, Queen, Princess, Don and Doña. The event also features a tent with children’s activities, face painting, a photo booth, barrel and pony rides, live music and artists. Folk dancers Ay! Jalisco and Grupo Alegria will perform from 12pm to 1pm, followed by the bands Grupo Estilo Versatil, Grupo Nuevo Estilo, DJ Pelon and Norteno Banda-Los De La Vieja Estacion. Victor Montañez and other featured artists will be on hand to paint and present their works.

5. The 71st Annual Fiesta Parade will be held on Saturday, September 14th. This event is organized and operated by the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Business Leaders Committee. The parade begins at 1 p.m. in Rock Falls and ends in Sterling. Parade participants line up on 10th Street in Rock Falls. The parade travels north on First Avenue in Rock Falls and crosses the First Avenue Bridge into Sterling. At the base of the bridge, the parade turns left onto Second Street and travels north on Locust Street to Fourth Street, turns east and ends at the Grandon Civic Center in Sterling. Following the parade, a community celebration will be held at the Grandon Civic Center until 6 p.m. The celebration will include live entertainment, food vendors and bounce houses. For information or questions, call the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce at 815-625-2400 or email [email protected]. Visit saukvalleyareachamber.com/fiesta-day-parade to register online for the parade.

• Would you like your event to be featured in this weekly column? Submit your events to Sauk Valley Media’s community calendar at shawlocal.com/sauk-valley/local-events.