• Rochesterfest runs from June 20-28th, 2026. The actual festival will be from June 23rd to June 27th. The Grand Parade is on June 27th at 2:00.

    Several local organizations hold their events shortly before or after Rochesterfest.

    · Country Breakfast on the Farm

    · Elks Million Dollar Shootout-June 23-25th. Finals on June 26th.

  • · All of the Rochesterfest events are located at Soldier’s Field. Some of the related events are located across SE Minnesota.

  • · GREAT QUESTION. —If you or your business would like to sponsor one of our bands or activities, that would be great. Reach out to Randy Stocker at 5072858769 for details. If your organization has any type of grant program that Rochesterfest could apply for, let Randy know as well.

  • Live music from 5:00 to 10:00 pm every day. We will be adding a larger dance floor in 2026 for those who like to “shake a rug”. Eleven live bands will perform at Rochesterfest 2026.

    The return of the Bubble Dance party. This was so much fun in 2025, we hope to do it again.

    · Laser Tag

    · Fire Trucks

    · Dance Exhibit by USA Dance

    · Magical Afternoon Party with the princesses

    · Running and walking events

    · Puzzle Contest

    · Grand Parade

    • Barrel Train Rides

    • Kids Adventure Quest

    • Bounce Houses

    • Moonshots Baseball Game

    • Dailly Bingo

    • Bags Tournaments on Wednesday and Saturday

    • Nerf War

    • Bounce Houses

    • Photo Booths

  • Since it is such a short walk between Thursday’s on Maine and Rochesterfest, we decided to not spend any money providing a shuttle service.

  • Yes—we will have several port-a-pots available for public use. They will be positioned at and around Soldier’s Field throughout Rochesterfest. We will also have ADA compliant wash stations.

  • · The parade route can be found at www.rochesterfest.com/parade. We will be using the same parade route in 2026 that we used in 2025. Our goal is to have more bands (Live music) and more parade entries. We are asking each entry to use “One Nation-Many Stories” as your theme. There is not a rain date for the parade. It is going to be sunny and beautiful on June 27th.

    There will not be a rain date for the 2025 parade.

  • Rochesterfest is free and open to the public. Eleven live bands with unbelievable performers for your listening entertainment during the week. There is never a cost to attend our amazing celebration. Food and beverages and button should be your only cost.

  • Absolutely. We have eleven different bands performing in 2026. Live music will start at 5:00 and go until 10 pm each day. Some of the new bands include:

    • Honky Tonk Happy Hour

    • The High 48’s with Becky Schlegel

    • Rockin Hep Cats

    • Sister Luv

    • We will also have a professional dance floor along with professional dance instructions throughout the week.

    • To see all of bands, click on the home page and select 2026 Music Line-up.

  • · There will be multiple ATM machines. One will be next to the beer tent on the NW side of the track. The second will be near the food trucks.

  • Parking has always been a concern. Mayo Clinic will allow us to use five of their parking lots.

    · Parking – Surrounding Residential street parking. East side Soldiers Field/ 2nd Ave SW/Soldiers Field Drive.

    · George Gibbs Drive (west of field) reserved for Rochesterfest volunteers, Food vendor and staff parking, Handicap parking spots.

    · Golf Course parking lot spots reserved for Golf Course Patrons, Visitors/swimmers to the New Aquatic Center, Customers of Townies Restaurant.

    · Handicap Parking – Legally marked (painted wheelchair on ground with Handicap signage) east side Soldiers Field/ 2nd Ave SW/Soldiers Field Drive. Veterans Memorial Parking lot. Gibbs Drive.

    We are encouraging festival attendees to “ride their bikes” to Rochesterfest. We will provide additional bike racks. We are also planning to offer a “bike service” station to help resolve any small bike repair issues.

  • · Yes—There will be parking on George Gibbs Drive (West of the Track) for Rochesterfest volunteers, food vendors, and staff parking, and handicap parking. Please do not park on the golf course parking lot spots reserved for Golf Course patrons, Swimmers at the Aquatic Center, and customers of Townies Restaurant.

  • Some do and some do not. Please ask before you make any purchases. They should have a sign displayed on their vehicles if they accept credit cards and what type they accept. We will also have an ATM close by.

  • Bring your children and grandchildren. Bring you grandparents and friends.

    Consider holding your family reunion or business event during Rochesterfest. We can supply the entertainment—you supply the people. Bring lawn chairs and sun tan lotion and camera’s.

    Items to bring:

    Lawn Chair, blankets, and your Rochesterfest button. Sun tan lotion and hats are also recommended.

  • · No money can be refunded by any vendor or at the beer tent.

  • We need hundreds of volunteers to make Rochesterfest a success. Volunteer are needed inthe following areas:

    —Beer Tent—25-30 needed

    —Information Booth—25-30 needed

    —Grande Parade—50 -60 needed

    —Event Management-10-15 needed

    —Parking Management—12-15 needed

    Lots of volunteer opportunities are available for both individuals and groups. Reach out to us at 507.285.8769 to volunteer. Your help is greatly appreciated. You can sign up to volunteer online by clicking the volunteer button at the top of the page.

  • ● Yes, KAAL TV will show the parade live. It will also be recorded for future viewing. We are also attempting to broadcast the parade on our Video Billboards located at Soldier’s Field.

  • ●Yes, the Rochester police department will provide security after 5:00 pm daily. We will also have overnight security each day of Rochesterfest. The police and others will also provide security during the Grande Parade.

  • ● There will be access to first aid at the information booth.

  • ● Absolutely not. Please support our food vendors and beer truck. Rochesterfest needs to raise a substantial amount of money to fund the many free events offered during the festival. PLEASE PLEASE support our vendors.

  • Rochesterfest will go on despite the rain. If storms are approaching, our Executive Director will have a direct connection with the national weather service. Together, they will make the decision whether to cancel or not.

    If we need to cancel or postpone any activities, the media will help us get the word out. Our Facebook and web page will also share any immediate updates.

  • Pets are allowed as long as they are on a leash.