Rock Valley’s annual summer celebration, Rally in the Valley, officially wrapped up over the weekend following four days of events, local food drives, and community traditions.
Guests Ashley Farkas, Rock Valley Chamber Director, and Kristen Pflueger, Chamber Board member and owner of Pulse 712 fitness, recently joined The Daily Grind to outline the full schedule and highlight what makes the town’s celebration special.
The festival officially kicked off midweek with opening night activities, including a fire department burger feed, t-ball clinic, an American Legion flag retirement ceremony, and the Little Miss Rock Valley pageant. First-grader Jayda took home the crown among thirteen young participants.
Chamber Director Ashley Farkas described the youth pageant highlight.
“A little girl named Jayda won last night. So we had thirteen little girls who are entering the first grade this upcoming school year. Um, they all participated. They got to bring a special item to show the crowd. they got to answer a few questions on stage. And then we had two little gentlemen that escorted each of them up onto the stage.”
Thursday’s schedule shifted to City Park, featuring a community pulled-pork meal served by the Foster Grandparents program for a free-will donation, followed by competitive eating contests organized by age, ranging from donut hole eating for kids to pie and wing eating competitions weighed by Cedar Rock. Park goers also enjoyed a drive-in movie on a decoy screen.
Farkas highlighted the community spirit behind the festival’s popular dinner.
“The community meal is what’s going to kick off our night. Um, how we kind of handle this is the chamber, um, kind of hosts the meal and we invite all of the community to come out. We’re going to have pulled pork sandwiches, chips, a cookie and a drink. Um, and we actually always have one of our nonprofit chamber members serve the meal for a free will donation.”
Weekend Activities
Friday offered a chamber golf tournament, a dollar swim day with a poolside movie at the Rock Valley pool, local food trucks, and the annual Cruise Night downtown.
Saturday morning brought the return of “Run the Valley,” organized by Pflueger. The 5K and 1-mile fun run kicked off on Main Street, giving local runners, walkers, and families with strollers a chance to participate.
Pflueger explained the motivation behind bringing the run back to the festival lineup.
“We are doing um, it’s called Run the Valley. So we’re having a five K and like a one mile fun run on Saturday morning. So they did that a few years back. Had used to put one on as well. Um a few years ago and they kind of fizzled out with that. So I just thought it would be really fun to bring that back, especially since running is kind of blowing up right now.”
Saturday continued with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Nighthawks football team, a car show at Bicentennial Park, turtle races, a mud volleyball tournament, and a grand parade featuring over 80 entries led by Grand Marshal Tom Van Holland.
A new addition to this year’s lineup was the Valley Fest Putt Challenge, where twelve local businesses designed their own mini-golf holes along Main Street. Festivities concluded Saturday night with a street dance headlined by Marcus and Nashville performer Corey Farley, followed by a fireworks show.
