Meet our Platinum Sponsors!
Our Platinum sponsors generously donated $1000 or more to help create the best Rockford River Days possible, and we can't thank them enough! Please enjoy reading these business spotlights, and know that supporting these companies means supporting our city of Rockford and the Rockford River Days Festival!
Delano / Rockford Area Youth Hockey Association (DAYHA)
Delano / Rockford Area Youth Hockey Association (DAYHA) is an independent, nonprofit, volunteer organization located in Delano Minnesota that is affiliated with USA Hockey and Minnesota hockey (MH). DAYHA is structured to organize and provide hockey opportunities for
the boys and girls of Delano and surrounding communities in a safe, respectful learning environment that encourages the fun, development of sportsmanship, teamwork, life skills and
individual achievement while building on the fundamental skills of hockey. To accomplish this, DAYHA provides an organization where youths ages 3-18, currently residing within Delano and
Rockford schools and surrounding communities, can play organized hockey.
Ver-Tech Labs
1. How long have you been in business in the Rockford area?
The Ver-tech Companies moved to our new building in the industrial park
in Rockford in 2001.
2. Tell us about your business, what products/services do you offer?
Ver-tech Labs and Ver-tech, Inc. are a family owned-operated businesses. Both operate out of the same building on Bleck Drive. Ver-tech Labs is an ISO 9001:2015 QMS Certified manufacturer of car wash, truck wash and industrial chemicals. We sell and support wash operators throughout the US. The Ver-tech Inc. side focuses primarily in the metro area on servicing cardboard balers, compactors, air cleaning equipment and installing industrial trash chutes.
3. What are your hours of operation?
a. Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
4. What ties/connections have you made with the community?
Ver-tech has several ties within the Rockford Community. Our technical
team meets on a quarterly basis with the City of Rockford in regards to manufacturing and water testing. Our company continues to bank at Bankwest, we have building security with Wright Hennepin, and continue to support local restaurants and other businesses.
5. What do you look forward to the most during Rockford River Days?
Rockford River Days is always a great time for people to come together and enjoy the city – we are happy to take part in this great event.
Trent Shipley (Local Realtor)
1. How long have you been in business in the Rockford area?
I have been in real estate for 12 years, but in the Rockford for 22 years
2. Tell us about your business, what products/services do you offer?
Residential real estate, land, lake, cabin, investment properties – I serve Minnesota and Wisconsin
3. What are your hours of operation?
7:00 am – 11:00 pm, 7 days a week
4. What ties/connections have you made with the community? I’m a long-time supporter of Rockford River Days, as well as a proud donator of Rockford Area Schools and youth sports. I’m the former youth wrestling director. I was Rockford Lion’s President (January 2023 – June
2025), and proudly serve as a board member for Riverwood/Riverworks, a
local non-profit charity.
5. What do you look forward to the most during Rockford River Days?
I’m always excited to see the community come together to make this an amazing success! I’ve been a part of this community for 22 years, it’s so great
to see people helping people.
Billy's - Rachel's Place
1. How long have you been in business in the Rockford area?
It probably wasn’t the wisest timing, but I bought Billy’s during the pandemic in 2020 when everything was pretty much shut down except for necessary businesses. So far though, business has been pretty steady and continues to grow.
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2. Tell us about your business, what products/services do you offer?
We are a local family-friendly neighborhood bar where you can meet friends to have a place to relax & chat. Along with our menu items, we offer daily specials for dine in or take out. Our customers love playing e-tabs, pull tabs, trying to win during our weekly meat raffles and e-horse races, etc. A couple times a week we have DJ Trivia games which have been very popular. Our younger customers (kids) know me by name, so they tell their parents "Let’s go to Rachel’s Place” which is pretty cute, so we created children’s Tee’s with Rachel’s Place logo!
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3. Where can your business be found, and how can people contact you?
Billy’s Rockford Bar is located at 8060 State Highway 55, Rockford, MN. Our
phone number is (763) 276-1999 and our website is billysrockfordbar.com.
We have a Facebook page. I’m always trying to find new means of
connecting with customers.
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4. What is your favorite part about the Rockford community?
The people, of course! Sometimes I feel as if I know or at least recognize almost everyone in town, though I do enjoy meeting new people.
5. What do you look forward to the most during Rockford River Days?
a. Again, it’s meeting new people who, hopefully will become regular customers of Billy’s. Connecting with friends & current customers anytime I can is fun too!
Bankwest
1. How long have you been in business in the Rockford area?
The business was chartered in 1948 under the name Rockford State Bank. The Huston family purchased the bank from Jim Grinnell in 1980. The bank has been in the Huston family since that time. Currently Shirley and Steve Huston are the owners of the bank and live in the area. The Bank's name changed when branch locations were added in Hanover and Buffalo.
2. Tell us about your business, what products/services do you offer?
Bankwest is a State of Minnesota chartered bank governed by FDIC and the State of Minnesota. We offer traditional bank services for individuals and small business. We pride ourselves on personal service and an experienced staff that can provide financial services to the market area that we serve.
3. Where can your business be found, and how can people contact you?
- The Rockford location is located at 5921 Main St. and Highway 55 in Rockford MN, the Buffalo location is located on Hwy. 55 on 10th Ave. South Buffalo MN, and the Hanover location is located on River Rd. northeast Hanover MN on County Road 19. The best way to get information is our website BANKWESTMN.com or by calling our main number 763-477-5231.
4. What is your favorite part about the Rockford community?
- Our staff not only works in the community but lives in the community and volunteers in the community. We believe as a community bank that we need to do more than just offer financial services, we need to be involved in volunteering in the community serving the needs of those
communities.
5. What do you look forward to the most during Rockford River Days?
- As a longtime supporter of the Rockford River days, we look forward to participating by volunteering and supporting financially all of the events that happened during Rockford River Days. We also are involved supporting local organizations like the Rockford Lions, the Rockford Area Historical Society, and our local churches activities during Rockford River Days.
Rockford Lions
1. How long have you been in business in the Rockford area?
Since 1956
2. Tell us about your business, what products/services do you offer?
We raise funds and then distribute them to the less fortunate who
are in need, along with supporting multiple other community
programs. 100% of the funds raised by the Lion’s are donated back
3. What are your hours of operation?
We meet the 2nd and 3rd Monday of every month at 7pm at the
Lion’s building in Rockford. Our services are 24/7
4. What ties/connections have you made with the community?
We donate to many of the nonprofits in our surrounding area along
with many other school-based programs
5. What do you look forward to the most during Rockford River Days?
Getting out and meeting the people of our community
Vic's Tree Service
1. How long have you been in business in the Rockford area?
My wife and I started our tree service company in 2018.
2. Tell us about your business, what products/services do you offer?
We trim trees, completely take down trees, haul away and clean up any debris, and stump grind.
3. What are your hours of operation?
We work Monday-Saturday throughout most of the year, unless there is bad weather. We are always available to take a call or email with any questions about tree service or to get on the schedule. Call Vic at 763-339-5912 or email to vptreeservice@gmail.com
4. What ties/connections have you made with the community?
My wife grew up in Rockford and has lived here most of her life and is now a teacher at the Middle School, our home is in Rockford, our kids go to Rockford schools, and we love to support local residents, companies, and foundations.
5. What do you look forward to the most during Rockford River Days?
River Days gives us a chance to meet with customers, community members, friends, and family. It is one of our favorite events of the year where we can celebrate all of the amazing things Rockford has to offer.