ROCHELLE — The Rochelle Chamber of Commerce will host its Quartermania fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 20. 

The event will include a quarter auction and a silent auction and will take place at Flight Deck Bar & Grill. There will be dinner and drinks. There is free admission. To participate in the auction, paddles cost $5 a piece. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and Quartermania begins at 6 p.m. 

Chamber Executive Director Tricia Herrera said the event is in the chamber’s top three of fundraisers and it allows people to have a good time and network before the busy holiday season. 

“It’s a way to get exposure for smaller businesses and a night out for everybody,” Herrera said. “This is our fourth year doing it. Last year didn’t take place because of COVID-19. It’s really been a good event for us. Families and kids are welcome to come.”

The quarter auction sees local businesses submit items or baskets to be bid on. 

“It’s a way for our direct seller or smaller home-based businesses to participate in an event,” Herrera said. “They have a basket or item and can describe it and have a dollar amount. That decides if it’s a one or two quarter bid. Bidders will have paddles and you can bid for one or two quarters. You can get a $50 item for one or two quarters.”’

The silent auction will also include items donated by businesses. Herrera said the items include anything from gift cards to local businesses to Country Thunder tickets donated by 102.3 The Coyote. 

“We’ve added vendors and silent auction items over the years,” Herrera said. “Kris Wexell and Chuck O’Brien from the radio station will be emcees for the event. We like to say it’s the official start of the holiday shopping season. Things like this help the chamber expand its programs. We do fundraisers so we can expand services for home-based and small businesses.”