ROCHELLE — On Tuesday, the Rochelle Chamber of Commerce hosted its 54th Annual Chamber Play Day at Fairways Golf Course.

The event included lunch, raffles and businesses sponsoring different holes and interacting with members. The theme Tuesday was sports. Burlington Junction Railway was the event’s presenting sponsor and premier sponsors were Rochelle Community Hospital and Central Bank. Lunch was sponsored by the City of Rochelle and the golf cart sponsor was Liquor and Wine.

Chamber Executive Director Tricia Herrera spoke ahead of the day’s shotgun start and thanked members, sponsors and volunteers for coming out. 

“We're so happy to see this beautiful day,” Herrera said. “Thank you to everyone for coming out. We've once again sold the Chamber Play Day out. We could not do this without our golfers and sponsors. We have 30 hole sponsors and we have sold out the day. I can't tell you how great that is to say. This is the largest fundraiser we do and it helps us to do all of our programs throughout the year and to support our members. That's the biggest thing we try to do every single day.”

Burlington Junction Railway has sponsored the event for three years and has committed to do it for the foreseeable future. BJRY General Manager AJ Martin also spoke ahead of the shotgun start and said his business is proud to be a part of Rochelle.

Planning for the event begins in January and Herrera said this year it was sold out of golf slots and sponsorships by March. She enjoys having members out on the course together to interact and network. 

“The biggest thing is they get to promote their businesses and interact with other members,” Herrera said. “To me, that's the best part of today. I love having everyone gather in one place for a day. It's that small-town feel. When you're part of the chamber, it helps you to know someone for whatever you may need. That happens out here today.”

The winning golf team Tuesday was Midwestern Clothing Company #2, with a score of -12.

Herrera said the funds raised from the golf play day make up about a third of the chamber’s budget and allows it to carry out programs such as its Leadership Academy, ribbon cuttings, and curb appeal grant. 

“We can't do everything by membership dollars alone,” Herrera said. “To have this fundraiser be successful is great. People are so committed to it and even were during the pandemic. And since then, they've been even more committed.”

While the planning for the play day is done by the chamber office, the event on the day of is carried out by volunteers from local businesses and the chamber’s board of directors. Herrera called that support “amazing” and said the day wouldn’t work without it.

The Chamber Play Day also allows Herrera to check in with members on what they need.

“Frequently we have conversations here and we set meetings up about ideas or things they're seeing,” Herrera said. “And we get to see them face to face today and we're very excited by that.”