Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau - Community Fundraisers Events

Food for Thought

Date(s): Feb. 1-29, 2012
Time: Regular Bookstore hours
Price: none
Location: Friends of the Library Bookstore

The Friends' Bookstore at the Rochester Public Library will be collecting food for Channel One during the month of February. During "Food For Thought" month, anyone donating a nonperishable food item will receive a 20% discount off their entire Bookstore purchase. Channel One is especially in need of protein items, such as peanut butter, tuna fish, and Mac 'n Cheese.

Rochester WinterFest X

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 06:01:22 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 2012
Time: Various
Location: Several locations

WinterFest takes place yearly during the first two weeks in February. WinterFest serves to promote wintertime activities for all ages while raising awareness and funds for area nonprofit organizations. There is a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities happening in the Rochester area so all can enjoy the Cabin Fever Days of February!

Warm-up to the Polar Bear Plunge

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:01:28 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 4, 2012
Time: 8 am - 7 pm
Price: Varies by event
Location: Whistle Binkies on the Lake

The Warm-up will feature great fundraising activities including ice fishing, turkey bowling on the lake, volleyball, silent auction and more.

WinterFest 2012: Cardboard Sled Challenge

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:01:28 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 4, 2012
Time: Registration 8:30am; Design Judging 9am; Race at 10am; Awards/Lunch at 12pm
Price: Entry Fee to race: Youth/Teens (6-18) $25; Open (19 & up) $75
Location: Willow Creek Golf Course

Join us for the 2nd annual Cardboard Sled Challenge. Make a sled out of cardboard, make it with style, make it fast and race it down the hill. Proceeds support the Gamehaven Boy Scout Council and the Scouting Programs in southeastern Minnesota. Awards for best sled design, people’s choice, best costumes and fastest sled.

10th Annual Frozen Goose Race

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:01:17 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 4, 2012
Time: Registration at Noon, Race at 1 pm
Price: Minimum Pledge: $25 Individual, $40 Family
Location: Rochester Community & Technical College, East Park & County Fields

A WinterFest event, benefiting Mayo Clinic Childhood Cancer Research and Brighter Tomorrows. 10K Timed Run or 5K Fun Run or Walk. Men’s and Women’s age-bracket winners for 10K. Sponsored by the Optimist Club of Rochester.

Free Family Day Snow Globes

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:01:18 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 4, 2012
Time: 1 pm - 4 pm
Price: Free
Location: Rochester Art Center

Free Family Days at the Art Center, make a snow globe, as part of Rochester WinterFest 2012. Donations accepted, benefiting the Rochester Art Center.

Hearts & Diamonds Spectacular

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:01:18 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 4, 2012
Time: 5:30 pm
Price: $200 per person
Location: Somerby Golf Club

Benefits Ronald McDonald House of Rochester. 2012 Major Sponsors: STERLING STATE BANK, HIGHT & RANDALL PERSONAL JEWELERS, SOMERBY GOLF CLUB & MCNEILUS COMPANIES. Triple-prize: Diamond extravaganza & surprise table prize. Raffle: Ultimate Golf Experience. Silent Auction: Private Gourmet Dinner for 8. Entertainment by: SYNERGY, MICHAEL VELDMAN & FRIENDS.

Mile of Mac & Cheese

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:01:19 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 4, 2012
Time: 10 am - 4 pm
Price: Donation - Food or Cash
Location: HyVee Stores

Benefiting Channel One Food Bank & Food Shelf.

WinterFest at the History Center

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:01:19 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 4, 2012
Time: 9 am - 4 pm
Price: Free will donation
Location: History Center of Olmsted County

Sleigh Rides and Bonfire, benefiting Special Olympics Minnesota.

Chili Cook Off

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:01:49 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 8, 2012
Time: 11 am - 1:30 pm
Price: $15 to taste / $50 to compete
Location: Goonie's Comedy Club

Sponsor: Roscoes Root Beer and Ribs, benefits Alzheimers Association. Come in over lunch to taste the chili and vote for the best in various catagories.

Special Olympics Minnesota Polar Bear Plunge & Super Plunge - Rochester

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 06:01:09 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 10, 11, 2012
Time: Super Plungers begin on Friday, Feb. 10, at 3 p.m. Normal Plungers begin on Sat. at 1:30 p.m.
Price: $75 in fundraising for normal Plungers, $3,000 in fundraising for Super Plungers, free and open to viewing public
Location: Foster Arend Park

The Polar Bear Plunge — presented by Minnesota law enforcement as part of their year-round Law Enforcement Torch Run® events — is a unique opportunity for individuals, organizations and businesses to support Special Olympics Minnesota athletes by jumping into frigid Minnesota waters. It consists of several different events that take place across Minnesota during the coldest months of the year. From January through March, our Plunge crew will be traveling around the state to different communities with one goal in mind: raise funds for Special Olympics Minnesota! ALSO: We encourage Super Plungers! Super Plungers must raise a minimum of $3,000 to become a member of this elite group. Super Plungers plunge 24 times in 24 hours, have lots of fun, and end up with one crazy story to tell! They are required to have one handler throughout the evening, to help with changing, dressing and individual needs. Dressing facilities, sauana, hot tubs, food and beverages are provided for both the Plunger and the handler throughout the event. Pictures will be taken prior to every Plunge to verify the 24 Plunges.

Once Upon a Playhouse

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:01:30 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 10, 11, 12, 2012
Time: 9 am - 6 pm
Location: Rochester Civic Theatre

The Rochester Area Builders and Family Service Rochester are partnering again at the 2012 Builders Home Show. The 5th Annual Once Upon a Playhouse event will be present four all new and unique playhouses. The Home Show is February 10-12, 2012 at the Mayo Civic Center. You won’t want to miss your chance to play in these amazing playhouses and maybe even win one! All the playhouses will be raffled. Raffle tickets are just $10 (or 3 for $25) and can be purchased in advance at Family Service Rochester or at the Builders Home Show.

A Singing Valentine: Annual Benefit Dinner, Auction & Pops Concert

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 06:02:08 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 11, 2012
Time: 6:00 pm
Price: $75.00
Location: Rochester International Event Center

Join Choral Arts Ensemble and friends for one of the greatest date nights in Rochester! Fine dining, great wines, first-rate auction items, and love songs will sweep you off your feet!

4th Annual Hambone Music Fest Winter Fundraiser

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:01:31 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 11, 2012
Time: Music starts at 5pm
Price: $10 admission
Location: Ron's Place

Beat those winter blues! Warm up with some hot music at the 4th annual Hambone Music Fest Winter Fundraiser. Featuring: Med City Blues All Stars, Mark Cameron Band, Boom Boom Steve V & John Franken, Lisa Wenger Band, Ya See Three.

Queen of Hearts 2nd Saturday Book Sale

Date(s): Feb. 11, 2012
Time: 10 AM to 1 PM
Price: none
Location: Friends of the Library Bookstore

Queen of Hearts 2nd Saturday Book Sale.
Join the Friends' Bookstore as we celebrate Paige Turner's birthday on Saturday, February 11 from 10 AM to 1 PM in the library foyer. You will find bargains galore, including a sale on all hard-cover fiction (buy one, get one free). Spend $25 and get a free Bookstore tote. The Bookstore carries a wide variety of high quality, affordable used books; all of the books are donated, all of the workers are volunteers, and all of the proceeds benefit the Rochester Public Library.

Youth Ice Fishing Contest

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:01:52 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 11, 2012
Time: 9 am - 1 pm
Price: $8
Location: Foster Arend Park

Contest open to youth age 15 and under, prizes for biggest three fish in three age groups. Benefiting EN/our-work/sight-programs/index.php">Rochester ‘76 Lions Club - Sight Projects.

"A Country Side" Murder Mystery

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:01:50 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 11, 2012
Time: 6 pm & 8:30 pm
Price: $30 per person
Location: Plummer House of the Arts

It’s the early 1900’s and we are gathering in the country for a wonderful weekend of merriment, when suddenly a murder is discovered. Everyone is a suspect, so come join the fun! Enjoy wine sampling and delicious desserts, while you are collecting clues.

Craft Show & Savory Soup Luncheon

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:01:51 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 11, 2012
Time: 9 am - 12:30 pm-Craft Show and 10:30 am - 1 pm-Savory Soup Luncheon
Price: 9 am - 1 pm
Location: Madonna Towers

Craft Show and Savory Soup Luncheon at Madonna Towers. Benefits Madonna Living Community Foundation.

Families Friends & Flapjacks

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:01:51 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 11, 2012
Time: 9 am - 12 noon
Price: $5 advance (tickets at both CLDN Centers), $6 at door, children under 2 free
Location: Ramada Hotel & Conference Center

Bring the family for a pancake breakfast. Benefiting Civic League Day Nursery Tuition Assistance Program.

Polar Cubs Outdoor Day Camp

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:01:51 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 11, 2012
Time: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Price: Youth under 7 years of age = $5, youth 7-17 years of age = $20, adults 18+ = $10
Location: Gamehaven Scout Reservation

Family ice fishing, bowling, golf, curling, sleigh rides, sledding, s’mores, snow shoeing, etc… Benefiting Gamehaven Council, Boy Scouts of America.

SnoBall Softball Tournament

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:01:52 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 11, 12, 2012
Time: All Day
Price: $100 per team
Location: Eagles Club

Winter softball event, two days, various locations. Headquarters at Eagles Club. Benefiting Eagles Cancer Telethon.

Breakfast with the Birds

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:01:52 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 12, 2012
Time: 9 am - 10:30 am
Price: $5 per person - Pre-Registration required
Location: Quarry Hill Nature Center

Winter Bird Program featuring bird trapping, banding and release. Come enjoy a continental breakfast and learn about winter birds and Quarry Hill Nature Center’s participation in the Federal Bird Banding program. All ages are welcome. Benefiting Quarry Hill Nature Center.

Dog Sledding

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:01:53 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 12, 2012
Time: 11 am - 4 pm
Price: $5.00/person, $20/family max
Location: Quarry Hill Nature Center

Gee, Haw and Mush are the commands you will hear as you glide over the snow behind a team of sled dogs. This mini-experience introduces you to an exciting wilderness sport and the athletes themselves – Seppala Siberian sled dogs. Meet & greet these beautiful animals and then embark on a short ride in the field adjacent to Quarry Hill . If there is no snow, demo only. Benefits Quarry Hill Nature Center.

Down Hill Derby

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:01:53 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 12, 2012
Time: 12 noon - 3 pm
Price: $10 per person
Location: Willow Creek Golf Course

Tobaggon races at Willow Creek Golf Course, benefits Rochester Better Chance.

Lace Up Against Breast Cancer

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:01:53 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 12, 2012
Time: 10 am
Price: $35 for the half marathon, $30 for the 5K or 2 mile walk.
Location: Mayo High School

Lace Up Against Breast Cancer is a non-profit organization that directs a half marathon, 5k race and 2 mile walk to provide proceeds to Mayo Clinic breast cancer research. Half Marathon, 10 am, 5K, 10:30 am and 2 mile walk, immediately following the 5k. Registration available day of the race at Mayo High School. The half marathon and 5K will be chip timed.

Go Red For Women Luncheon

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:01:37 GMT

Date(s): Feb. 14, 2012
Time: 10 am
Price: $50
Location: Doubletree Hotel Rochester - Mayo Clinic Area

Help the American Heart Association fight heart disease in women by joining the cause at the annual Go Red for Women luncheon. Learn more about heart disease, get a free health screening, have fun in the Diva Salon, participate in the silent auction, and make your own individual gift to join the fight against America’s #1 killer of women. Tickets on sale at www.RochesterGoRedforWomen.org