The date was changed for a variety of reasons.  For the first couple of years we held our event in June and it was in conflict with other neighboring community events.  Since we were the new kid on the block, we knew we needed to move our celebration to a different date…it was the right thing to do.  By moving it to July, we thought it would be a great time for our celebration and it would not be in competition with other local events.  Once the date was moved, we still encountered extreme challenges and one of them being the overwhelming high temperatures.  This heat-wave these past three years has drastically impacted revenue and two years ago we didn’t think we’d have enough funds to continue with Rock-Fest.  Since we are relatively a new organization (six-years young) it has been tuff getting organizations/businesses excited about the event and convincing many of them that our event is a great opportunity to promote their cause.   Gaining volunteers has also been a challenge.  All of these stresses at one point became so overwhelming we thought we’d need to cancel Rock-Fest all together.  With all of these bumps in the road over these past six-years we needed to stay focused and continue to overcome these challenges.  Just like a business, Rock-Fest would take time to grow.  Just when we thought we had things under control we lost a few talented volunteers in 2007 due health issues, moving out of the community, and individuals who had personal/professional life changes.  Due to the volunteer loss it meant we needed to go back to the drawing board and quickly decide if we had enough resources to continue in 2008.  The committee members still on board knew it would be an enormous challenge but saw value in the Rock-Fest cause.  So, we decided to adjust the date and move it away from the 4^th of July weekend to August 22^nd and 23^rd.   We know we will have a difficult time communicating the date change.  However, we are hoping by adding this website it will help with our promotions.  Plus we made another great move by adding monthly events which will help us become more visible in the community.  We currently have fund-raising suppers at the Granite Edge Café and most recently added teen dances.  We hope these added events will bring enjoyment to those who attend.  We’d like to continue to offer something of value to the community and grow as an organization.  However, for us to continue to make all this happen we need your support…

Over the years several organizations have decided to serve the community and promote their mission. As I mentioned, Rock-Fest is relatively a new organization.  However, it is an organization that has been working very hard to offer a venue (opportunities) for other community organizations and businesses to promote their cause.  In addition, we continue to dream up new ideas and develop events that will be family and community orientated.

The committee continues to strive to evolve into an organization that stays true to the Rock-Fest mission.  By staying true to our mission and achieving our goals we hope that the community will be very proud of Rock-Fest and its accomplishments.   

Just like other non-profit organizations, Rock-Fest will only survive if the community, businesses and organizations support its cause.  In addition, the annual event is a very large undertaking and it needs extraordinary people like you to volunteer to help create an incredible event. 

There are many good reasons to get involved with an organization and with Rock-Fest.  Below are just a few reasons what you can experience when you volunteer.

§         Strengthen current relationships

§         Make new friends

§         Uncover hidden skills and talents

§         Add these talents to your portfolio (resume)

§         Increase your self-confidence

§         Make a difference within the community

§         Make a difference in a child’s life (you will become a role-model)

§         Volunteering offers a chance to take a break from life and have FUN!

Volunteering for Rock-Fest is very easy.  You don’t need to commit several hours.  Ex:  Volunteer one hour of your time, commit to chaperoning an event, chair an event, or become a sponsor by donating product or funds.  It simple and easy…it is all up to you.   

Community Organizations/Businesses:  Rock-Fest provides several opportunities for your organization or businesses to promote your cause during the Rock-Fest annual event.  At the Rock-Fest event it is your opportunity to raise funds for your cause, solicit for volunteers or employees, inform the community on projects you’re currently working on and most importantly build relationships within the community.  A great opportunity to network!

Below are the Rock-Fest goals.  Goals that we feel this organization can achieve by getting involved. 

GOALS:

§         Provide a unique cultural and educational experience for residents and tourists.

§         Expand tourism and create opportunities for local organizations and business to showcase their products and services.

§         To promote agricultural, granite country, businesses, and Eagle Park.

§         To provide opportunities for local organizations to raise revenue and give volunteers a sense of community pride.

§         To provide fun activities and opportunities which have a broad appeal to Central MN (Rockville, Grand Lake, Pleasant Lake and surrounding communities)

Here are a few convenient ways you can contact us:

1)       Send an e-mail to rockfestfestival@hotmail.com

2)       Mail your letter and sponsorship to Rock-Fest, Box 44, Rockville, MN 56369

§         All sponsorship checks should be made payable to The Rockville Sportsman’s Club.

3)       Contact the event coordinator Kathleen at 320-251-5836 or 320-309-0316

4)       Attend a festival meeting (the last Monday of every month, 7:10 at Granite Edge Café in Rockville).

We ask that you help promote the event by linking our website to your site or passing the link to friends through an e-mail.

Thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,

Kathleen Stanger

Rock-Fest Festival Coordinator