Welcome to the
Rochester Kiwanis and Wells Fargo Team

Nothing builds a community like teamwork !

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WHAT IS THE
ROCHESTER KIWANIS / WELLS FARGO HOCKEY FESTIVAL?

This Festival is a joint fund raising project between the five Kiwanis clubs in Rochester MN and our major sponsor Wells Fargo Bank of Rochester.

We are now into our 14th year of sponsoring the festival which is held between Christmas and New Years. Twenty-four (24) teams from Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin participate in the festival.  The games are played at Rochester's Graham Arena Complex and at the Rochester Recreation Center in northwest Rochester.  Most local hotels and restaurants benefit from this festival with over 3000 fans attending the three day event.

Our annual fund-raising average has exceeded $36,000+ per year and is derived from ticket sales, sponsorships, festival activities and other donations. Sponsors (Wells Fargo Bank is our major sponsor), businesses and individuals support the event by placing advertising in our program book or media announcements and signage banner at the arenas.  Additionally, sponsoring businesses are allowed/encouraged to distribute promotional coupons at the festival.

Besides great hockey play during the festival, there is entertainment from local youth, high school bands and photography services for those important action shots of the players during the games.  There are local and nationally recognized hockey personalities at many of the games and of course there are the ever popular concessions.

The Rochester Area Kiwanis Clubs (5) have been very accommodating to the local and visiting hockey teams, coaches, parents and the fans.  The event is considered one of the premier tournament opportunities for high school hockey.  The festival has no required entry fees as many other tournaments.  The Kiwanis organizations cover all the expenses of the visiting team hotel rooms, ice rental, availability of medical services, referees, announcers and scorekeepers.  There is even a complimentary dinner banquet for all the players and coaches during the tournament to promote better relationships between the youth.

In the thirteen years of sponsoring the Hockey Festival, we have contributed over $480,000 to our local youth and community projects.  We have also made significant contributions to an important Kiwanis International World Service Project - the eradication of Iodine Deficiency Disease (IDD) in third world countries.

In addition to the revenue raised from the festival, the Rochester Chamber of Commerce has estimated that the economic impact to the hotels, restaurants, theaters, gift shops and unique Rochester attractions exceeds $200,000 each year ... that's over $2.2 million in thirteen years.

A festival of this magnitude requires a significant amount of planning and many willing workers.  Our festival committee of 20 people meet monthly throughout the year to plan and organize the festival. Over 100 volunteers are required to support the festival during the three day tournament.  All together over 1800 volunteer hours are expended through the year planning and executing this event.  The Kiwanis / Wells Fargo Hockey Festival is SE Minnesota’s premier high school hockey tournament.

For additional information E-Mail to Festival co-chair
Bill Kalmes, w.kalmes@smithschafer.com .

Special Thanks ...

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