5 Things to Do: Big Boy Steam Engine stop, Dement Town Music Fest in the Sauk Valley

The next few weeks are packed with things to do in the Sauk Valley. 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 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, 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 at 1 Page Park Drive, Dixon.

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

3. Dement Town Music Fest: Dement Town Music Fest will return Saturday, Sept. 7, to the 600 block of Depot Avenue in Dixon. Hello Weekend, a high-energy cover band from Chicago, will return to headline the event. Joining them this year will be local favorite Burn ‘N Bush, hailing from Ashton, and The Empty Pockets, a powerhouse Chicago band. Tickets cost $15 in advance or $20 at the gate. 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 in order to buy alcohol. Picnic table seating will be available, but people can bring their own chairs. Outside coolers will not be allowed. Go to www.discoverdixon.com/events/dement-town-music-fest for all the details and to buy tickets in advance.

4. Taste of Fiesta: The 12th annual Taste of Fiesta comes to Rock Falls from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at RB&W District Park, 201 E. Second St. Guests can enjoy free entertainment while exploring 20 art and craft vendors, sample fare from food trucks and vendors, and watch the crowning of the 2024 Fiesta King, Queen, Princess, Don and Doña. The event also will feature a tent with activities for kids, face painting, a photo booth, barrel and pony rides, live music and performers. Folkloric dancers Ay! Jalisco and Grupo Alegria will perform from noon to 1 p.m., with bands Grupo Estilo Versatil, Grupo Nuevo Estilo, DJ Pelon and Norteno Banda-Los De La Vieja Estacion performing afterward. Victor Montañez and other featured artists will be on-site to paint and share their work.

5. The 71st annual Fiesta Parade will be Saturday, Sept. 14. This event is organized and implemented by the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Business Leaders Committee. The parade will begin at 1 p.m. in Rock Falls and end in Sterling. Parade entries will line up on 10th Street in Rock Falls. The parade will travel north on First Avenue in Rock Falls and cross the First Avenue bridge into Sterling. At the base of the bridge, the parade will turn left onto Second Street and will travel north on Locust Street to Fourth Street, turn east and end at the Grandon Civic Center in Sterling. A community celebration will be held after the parade until 6 p.m. at the Grandon Civic Center. The celebration includes 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 director@saukvalleyareachamber.com. Visit saukvalleyareachamber.com/fiesta-day-parade to register for the parade online.

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