Rochelle – Plans are under way for the 20th Annual Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival scheduled to take place Aug. 18, 19 and 20 in downtown Rochelle.  The festival provides a wholesome, fun-filled weekend for the entire Rochelle community and surrounding area.
This year marks the 20th annual event. The theme this year is Heritage & History of Rochelle and Lincoln Highway.
Throughout the weekend there will be plenty of food, games and entertainment for families to enjoy.  The weekend kicks off at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 19 with carnival rides by A&A Attractions and mouth-watering fare in the food court. A 50/50 raffle and other prizes will be awarded throughout the weekend. Tickets can be purchased in advance from any committee member throughout the weekend. This year, festival-goers can purchase a MEGA-Pass good Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Mega-passes are $50 when purchased in advance and may be obtained at Rochelle City Hall, RMU, Ray’s New & Used Furniture, Quinn’s Jewelry and Colonial Flower Shoppe. Daily passes are also available, priced at $25 Friday and Sunday and $30 for Saturday.
The annual Little Miss Peanut contest will be on the main stage from 6 to 7 p.m. At 8 p.m., the Vodka Boys take the main stage. The beer garden will be open Friday evening from 5 to 10 p.m. Check the festival website at www.lhhfest.com.
Saturday, Aug. 19
The Lions club will be up bright and early to serve their annual Pancakes in the Park beginning at 7:30 and until 11 a.m.  The Soft Shoe Shufflers will be entertaining on the main stage from 8 to 10 a.m. While you are eating, you may hear the rumble of car engines a block away as the Hub City Cruisers line up classic cars and motorcycles downtown. The car show runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The craft and business booths and Kid’s Zone begin at 10 a.m.  Kid’s Zone will be at the Fire House Museum.
Amusement rides and food court run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The raising of the flag at the car show will be at noon.  
The main stage will be buzzing all day long beginning at 8 a.m. with the Soft Shoe Shufflers and 10 a.m. with the Rochelle Performing Arts. At noon, Brian Holt will take the stage with his magic act. From 2 to 4 p.m. Soapstone will perform and Burn N Bush will begin at 4 p.m. The Saturday evening headliner will be Mr. Big Stuff, on the main stage at 8 to 10 p.m.  Enjoy a cold beverage in the beer garden hosted by Abraham’s Bar and Grille from 2 to 11 p.m.
Other fun events on Saturday include the Rochelle Garden Club demonstration “Plant a Shoe” and Lightning Bingo at the Rochelle Moose Family Center. There will be an ice cream social at the Flagg Township Museum from 3 to 6 p.m. Also, Roberts Armory Museum will be open Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. (2090 Brush Grove Road).
Sunday, Aug. 20
Sunday festivities also include Pancakes in the Park from 7:30 – 11 a.m., 9 – 10:30 a.m. church service hosted by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, the craft and business booths from 12 – 4 p.m., amusement rides and food court 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., the Ladies of the Moose ice cream social from 3 – 6 p.m. and the beer garden from 2 – 6 p.m.  Andy Linder, who holds the hackysack Guinnes World Record, will be roaming throughout the festival. Just For Kix will be performing after the parade in front of the main stage.
The annual LHHF parade will step off at 1 p.m., and the main stage gets going with Adam Linder – the Guitar Man performing from noon – 2 p.m.  From 4 – 6 p.m. Pablo & the Rhythmix will conclude the main stage events.  Before the last song of the day, the winner of the 50/50 raffle will be announced.
Other events and places to see over the weekend include the Rochelle Railroad Park, The Tourism Filling Station, the Fire Station Museum, the Flagg Township Historical Museum, Robert’s Armory and the Flagg-Rochelle Public Library.
The Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival, emphasizing family, entertainment and community pride, is a celebration of all our community has to offer.  We are grateful to all our sponsors for making this great annual event possible.  Our first official Diamond Sponsor this year is Central Bank- we welcome them to Rochelle.  
For a full list of activities, visit our website at LHHFest.com or our facebook page.