Everyone seems to have an item from their childhood they carry with them to their adult life. My item happens to be a teddy bear I received when I was a baby. It's one of those things you don't really need, but you don't have the heart to part with yet.
And I know for a lot of people (especially around here), that one childhood item is a lovable toy originating from right here in Rockford: the Sock Monkey!
I'm sad to admit I don't have a Sock Monkey of my own. If only there were an event all about Sock Monkeys where I could make one. Lucky for me, there is! And it's right here in Rockford (double win)! Every year, Midway Village Museum hosts the Sock Monkey Madness Festival.
This annual event celebrates everything Sock Monkey. Not only can you make your own Sock Monkey in a Make-A-Monkey workshop, but you can also bring your already-made Sock Monkey to get some TLC at "Sockford General Hospital" where well-loved Sock Monkeys can have minor surgery. Your Sock Monkey can even get their own library card at Sockford Public Library! (Don't worry, Rockford Public Library will be there so you can register for your own too.)
I think what makes Sock Monkeys so special is that you are able to make it yourself. You could make the strangest looking Sock Monkey of all time (which might just happen to me since I unfortunately didn't inherit my mom's sewing skills), but you will still love it because you put in the time and effort to make it!
So what's your Sock Monkey's story? We'd love to hear it, so feel free to share it in a comment below! (And be sure to keep up with our Facebook and Instagram for a chance to win tickets to Sock Monkey Madness 2014!)
Sock Monkey Madness Festival is March 1-2, 2014 at Midway Village Museum in Rockford (6799 Guilford Road). For more information and to buy tickets, visit their website at www.midwayvillage.com.
