What started as a summer project for Kathy Silmon and her granddaughters has become a viral sensation that all brought hundreds – even some from the city – to a suburb of Chicago – all with rocks.
The project started when Silmon and her granddaughters each painted a rock and they placed them outside with a plate.
“Rocky the Rock Snake,” was the board that encourages people to “add a painted rock” and “see how long I can be.”
“We wanted to paint rocks, expand them and make a snake,” Silmon told NBC Chicago. “Just something to do. I saw it on a website and thought why it doesn’t try and see what happens.”
They didn’t know much that “Rocky” was about to get much bigger.
Silmon said the word began to spread over Rocky after her daughter posted a message on Facebook.
“It exploded,” said Silmon. “We had one gentleman brought a real boa constrictor. My granddaughters took photos with it.”
Residents from nearby and far started sharing photos of themselves with the rocks they have added.
“My 3 -year -old grandson added to Rocky! I thought it was great to read all the little messages on the rocks!” A commentator wrote. “What a uplifting and simple act of kindness !!! I hope that much more will follow!”
The quiet, breezed block in the suburbs Bolingbrook is now the home base of more than 400 painted rocks, making “Rocky” almost 100 feet long.
“We started with three rocks that we have painted, and now we are more than 400. One has a bracket, there is ice, the American flag, a turtle. Everyone is so creative,” Silmon said.
Silmon said that people from other states, the mayor of Bolingbrook and First Responders belong to those who have added painted rocks to Rocky.
“One gentleman, the other night he came and called the doorbell and asked if he could put a boulder and my husband said:” Of course. “You don’t need permission, just paint a rock and bring it here,” said Silmon.
Silmon said that as soon as the winter arrives, she plans to draw all the rocks, put them in sealed bags, save them in the garage and then release them next spring to continue to spread joy.
“I hope that other communities are considering doing this. It will bring your community together – I know it really has for us,” she said.
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