Thank you for voting Runde’s as the Best Car and Truck Dealership! What started in 2014 as a proud achievement has grown into a legacy that we hope to continue for many years into the future. Once again we were voted Best Fest’s winner for Best Car and Truck Dealership in Dubuque (and surrounding area) and Best Place for Auto Repair in Dubuque (and surrounding area). These awards would not be possible without 2 groups of people. First: our customers.  Without your continued support and referrals, there is no way we would be a double Best Fest winner for 9 years in a row!  Second: our [...]

“Project Echelon is a veteran’s non-profit organization that educates, equips and empowers veterans and their families through physical activity and self discovery. It was founded on April 1, 2016 through the collaborative efforts of Eric Beach, an Iraq War Veteran, and Eric Hill, a community leader in education, servant leadership, and supporting active service members and veterans.”  After learning about project Echelon it was an easy decision to become one of their sponsors. We hope our sponsorship is able to help them grow and serve even more veterans in the future.     When asked what these sponsorships mean for the project, Eric Hill states. “Support from companies like Runde Auto Group, who are embedded and invested in their communities, is essential to the success, sustainability, and scalability of our organization. As an organization, we serve over 250 veterans a year with coaching, mentoring, equipment and event scholarships, and other supports. The Project Echelon organization [...]

Runde Auto Group has been a proud sponsor of the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival from the start! The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival plans to hold its tenth annual event in person, following all local and county recommended COVID-19 procedures, as well as taking additional precautions. “We are thrilled to be able to watch film together again,” said Susan Gorrell, executive director of the festival. “Of course things will be a bit different this year, but there’s something about the group experience of watching a movie that makes the festival experience special.” Masks will be required in JDIFF events and screenings, and the festival will be following COVID-19 protocol outlined by its Covid Compliance Officer. Details regarding the festival’s COVID-19 procedures are posted at JulienFilmFest.com. [...]

If you plan on participating in trick-or-treating this year, here are some ideas to keep the festivities safe and fun: Table Trick-or-Treat: Set up a table in your driveway or yard and decorate it with Halloween décor. Set out pre-packaged candy or other items for children to take. Weather-permitting, set up chairs at least 6 feet apart from the table to greet kids and see their costumes. Fun face masks: Try to include a face mask into your child’s costume, but feel free to get crafty to make it a part of the costume. Or purchase a Halloween-themed mask for the occasion! Candy Sticks: Attach candy to skewers and place them in your front yard for children to each take one. Candy chute: Create a six-foot-long cardboard tube [...]

Everyone remembers their first car.  Having your own car is a milestone on the way to adulthood, welcoming you to the freedom of the open road. We asked some of our staff members to tell us about their first vehicles: Runde Chevrolet in East Dubuque, IL Jacob Puls: 2000 Mercury Sable, a gift for him and his twin brother Jared from their parents on Christmas Day 2008. John Riley: A blue 1976 Mercury Capri Tim Runde: 1970 Chevy Chevelle. “It was beige with a dark brown top. It was a retired undercover cop car so it had a performance engine and a certified calibration speedometer. They called them ‘sleepers’ – it looked like it wasn’t anything, but it could smoke you.” Geoff Barklow: 1976 red four-door Chevy Chevette. “I put an awesome stereo in it,” he said. “That was a chick magnet.” Brent Phillips: White 1984 Pontiac Parisienne with a [...]

The Runde Community Support Truck will be stuffed to the gills today with school supplies as St. Mark Youth Enrichment prepares for its annual Apples for Students / Fill the Bag event! Volunteers will gather over two days to stuff about 3,500 bags full of school supplies for area children in need. Beth McGorry, director of donor relations at St. Mark’s, picked up the support truck at Runde’s today. “We are just so thankful,” she said, noting the use of the free box truck comes in handy for a variety of nonprofits in the area. The event will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4 and Wednesday, Aug. 5 at the Grand River Center in Dubuque. Want to volunteer? Click here to sign up [...]

Are your Illinois license plates expiring? All Illinois Secretary of State offices and Driver Services facilities are closed to the public until Dec. 7. “After careful consideration, we have decided to close all Driver Services facilities until December 7, due to the worsening COVID-19 pandemic,” said White, in a press release. “The health and safety of employees and the public remains paramount and face-to-face transactions potentially increase the further spread of the virus. We have extended expiration dates to assist people during this difficult time.” While facilities are closed, White is encouraging residents to take advantage of many online services – such as renewing vehicle registration stickers – from the comfort of their own home. People who conduct online transactions will further help to reduce the number of transactions that will occur at Driver [...]

Runde Chevrolet – Proud Dubuque Event Sponsor This year marks the 25th year of Reflections in the Park – Hillcrest Lights Festival! The event, which raises funds for Hillcrest Family Services, runs through Jan. 4, 2020. It is open 5-10 p.m. daily at Louis Murphy Park in Dubuque. The price is $10 per vehicle at the gate. Don’t miss the Runde Auto Group Silverado display!  Runde Chevrolet is proud to be a sponsor again for this event. Santa will be on hand every Monday in December before Christmas between 5 and 8 p.m. to distribute candy to the youngsters. Dog treats will also be given to canine visitors. Last year, Reflections in the Park was a record-setting [...]

We at Runde Auto Group love to celebrate Halloween and we’re sure that you do too.  If you have a Halloween event or local trick-or-treating times you’d like added to this list, send the information to Marketing@RundeAutoGroup.com!   ASBURY Trick-or-Treating 5:30 to 7 p.m., Thurs, Oct. 31 — CASCADE, IA Trick-or-Treating 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thurs, Oct. 31 — CUBA CITY, WI Trick-or-Treating 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thurs, Oct. 31 — DICKEYVILLE, WI Trick-or-Treating 5:30-7 p.m. Thurs, Oct. 31 — DUBUQUE, IA Trunk or Treat 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thurs, Oct. 24 Dubuque County Fairgrounds $1 per person   Dubuque Halloween Parade 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28 on Main [...]

Help Runde Auto Group Support the Maquoketa Valley FFA What: Runde Auto Group’s Drive 4 Ur School test drive event When: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 11 Where: Maquoketa Valley High School in Delhi Join Runde Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in supporting the Maquoketa Valley FFA Chapter during this year’s Drive 4 Ur School test drive event! Ford will donate $20 for every test drive (up to $6,000) at the Drive 4 UR School event, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 11 at Maquoketa Valley High School in Delhi. “This event is such a fun, easy way to help your community,” said Aaron Young, sales manager at Runde Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Manchester. “Plus, it is [...]

The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival, set for Wednesday to Sunday, April 24-28 in downtown Dubuque, has extended the festivities to cover five days! “We needed another day to fit in all the great panels, screenings, and events we have planned,” said Susan Gorrell, executive director of the festival. More than 20 features, 20 documentaries and 70 shorts were named Official Selections this year and will be screened at 10 venues in downtown Dubuque. There were over 700 submissions from over 50 countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, Cuba, New Zealand, and more. Film Schedule >                                            Watch Nominee Trailers >                [...]

A big shout of “THANKS” goes out from Runde’s to Dubuque area residents for voting us Best Car/Truck Dealership & Best Place for Auto Repair in this year’s Best Fest … again!   Runde Auto Group has been voted Dubuque’s Best Dealership in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 as part of Hospice of Dubuque’s Best Fest Celebration. Best Fest is a local event that is put on by Hospice of Dubuque where Tri-state residents in and around the Dubuque area are asked to select their choice as the best business in various categories such as: Best Grocery Store, Best Fitness Center, Best Ice-Cream Shop, Best New Restaurant, Best Place for Lunch, Best Golf Course, Best Place to buy Furniture, etc.   Check out the complete [...]

Run4Troops is set to take place on June 29, 2019 and Runde Auto Group is proud to once again be a major sponsor of this worthwhile event! This year, the point-to-point, chip-timed Boston qualifying race, will debut a new out-and-back course and a half marathon! Proceeds from Run4Troops, set for June 29, 2019, directly support tri-state military, past, present, and future. “Our objective is to give all participants an opportunity for a great experience and raise some money for a great cause,” said race director Connie Hodge. Over the years, they have dispersed more than $105,000 to local military causes. More than 6,500 runners have participated in the event from 46 states and nine countries! Proceeds are donated to organizations including the Veteran’s Freedom Center, University of Dubuque ROTC, National Guard, University of Dubuque Veterans Center, American Red Cross Readiness Unit, [...]

The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival will once again put the “fun” in fundraising with its third annual gala, set for Saturday, February 16 in the Harbor Room at Diamond Jo Casino. “As Time Goes By: A JDIFF Hollywood Night” invites you to walk back through the romance and glamour of the fabulous forties with a nod to Casablanca’s Rick’s Café along the way. The suggested attire will be 1940’s vintage glam – reminiscent of the Bogart, Bergman and Bacall era. The event will include a silent auction, live auction, and plated dinner. Peckosh Pediatric Dentistry will be hosting a complimentary cocktail hour from 6 to 7 p.m.  Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person and $900 per table [...]

The staff of Runde Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Manchester came to the aid of a feathered visitor today after it flew into the dealership’s showroom windows. This beautiful cardinal was sitting on the cement by the door after its fall.  It was dazed and confused and at the mercy of whoever would happen upon it.  Luckily for this little warbler, he/she eventually fell into the hands of Keeli Runde. “I scooped him up and he sat in my hand just looking dazed like he didn’t know what was going on,” said Keeli, the office coordinator and title clerk at Runde Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. After a few minutes, she took the bird behind the dealership and held it near a tree branch. “He climbed up by himself and then sat there [...]

Runde Auto Group is excited to announce its FIFTH annual Holiday Bake Sale! Plus, Runde Chevrolet Buick GMC in Platteville is joining in to host its first Holiday Bake Sale this year! Each year, our generous staff members prepare delicious baked goods that we sell in the showroom. All funds raised (PLUS a match by Runde Auto Group) are donated to help a few local families in need have a brighter holiday season. Last year’s East Dubuque bake sale raised more than $2,500, which was then matched by Runde Auto Group. The money was donated to help six families in the East Dubuque School District and benefited the East Dubuque Food Pantry. We are hoping to continue the momentum this holiday season. Please [...]

The 24th annual Dubuque Reflections in the Park is back!   The lights festival that raises money for Hillcrest Family Services saw a record-setting year last year, raising more than $148,000. Nearly 14,000 vehicles drove through the park.   “The Dubuque Reflections in the Park absolutely could not happen without our amazing volunteers,” said Darlene Bolsinger, Reflections in the Park coordinator. “Their time, talent, and dedication is outstanding.”   Open 5-10 p.m. daily Nov. 22 through Jan. 1 at Louis Murphy Park in Dubuque, this year’s event features many new light displays. Runde Auto Group is a proud sponsor of the Silverado display!  

It’s that time of the year again – time for the Ginter Family Thanksgiving, now called the Dubuque Community Free Thanksgiving Dinner! Genny Ginter stopped in today to pick up the Community Support Truck and start preparations for the 57th Ginter Family Thanksgiving. They will be serving eighty-eight 25-pound turkeys to more than 2,000 people this year – including making deliveries to sick, shut-in, and elderly people in the community. The tradition was started by Genny’s late mother, Donna Ginter. “We were at 2,100 last year, so we are shooting for 2,200 people this year,” Genny said. “We start cooking the turkeys on Monday.” The sit-down dinner will be 12:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving – Thursday, Nov. 22 – at the Joliet Event Center, 781 Locust St. in Dubuque. Each year, Genny uses the Community Support Truck, a [...]

Dubuque non-profit Opening Doors aims to take care of women with no place to go while helping them to get them back on their feet. “Opening Doors’ story started in 2000 with a homeless woman on a park bench with no place to stay,” said Ann Lorenz, development and marketing director of Opening Doors. “Since that time, we have empowered over 3,300 women and children, teaching them life skills to help them build a brighter future for their families.” The Opening Doors Organization, which operates Teresa Shelter, Maria House, and the Francis Apartments, provides shelter and life and job skills training for women in the Tri-State area. Maria House provides transitional housing for residents up to two years, while Teresa Shelter offers short-term emergency shelter services and an [...]

Voices Productions has taken to the streets of Dubuque once again to add color and life to buildings around the city. Last year, the organization suspended its 11-year tradition of Millwork District gallery shows to embark on a public art project. The result was 18 large scale new murals in Dubuque.  See the 2017 murals here.   The group is setting out to complete nine more in 2018, bringing the total to 27.  So far two are in progress or completed: one on the Steve’s Ace Hardware building at 200 S. Locust St., and one at 1638 Central Ave. Many others are planned for Central Avenue. “The difference between this year is that property owners are reaching out to us, asking to participate in the mural initiative by requesting a mural on their wall and offering to pay for it,” said Sam Mulgrew, president of Humanities Iowa and one of the five directors of Voices Productions. [...]

Our Ford Drive 4 UR School test drive event on Friday raised more than $5,000 for the West Delaware Athletic Booster Club! The event, held at the Beckman Sports Complex in Manchester, saw more than 250 test drives of new Ford vehicles. For each test drive, Ford donated $20. “It was hosted during a softball tournament so we had a great turnout for the Ford Drive 4 UR School event,” said Aaron Young, sales manager at Runde Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Manchester. “It will be a very positive boost for the community.” Thank you to everyone who test drove a vehicle! 

The Dubuque Symphony Orchestra is trying something new this year: the Ultimate Country Hits Concert! Set for 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, the concert will feature local bands and the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra playing a variety of country music, from classic legends to contemporary to folk and bluegrass. It will be held at the Mississippi Moon Bar at Diamond Jo Casino. While tickets for the main floor, tables and mezzanine seating are sold out, there are still standing mezzanine tickets and general admission tickets available. Buy tickets here.   Runde Auto Group is proud to be the exclusive sponsor of this unique Dubuque Symphony Orchestra event! Performers include: Joie Booth, Joie Wails Band Caitlyn Wolfe Noah Kachelski, Caitlyn Wolfe Band Elizabeth Kane, Elizabeth Mary Nicole Miller – Crazy Delicious [...]

Runde Auto Group is a proud sponsor of College for Kids and Middle University, July 9-12 at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville! Started in 1982, the program offers regional students the opportunity to take hands-on classes created just for them at the UW-Platteville campus. Last year the program had a record number of students in attendance — almost 200 — and this year’s registrations are on pace to exceed that. “College for Kids and Middle University is a well-known program at UW-Platteville that continues to serve kindergarten through seventh grade students,” said Nicole Osborn, Education and Training Coordinator at the Office of Continuing Education at UW Platteville. “2018 is no different and projected to set records with our new and exciting session options for students that explore engineering, coding, robotics, health/wellness, [...]

St. Stephen’s Food Bank will have an easier time distributing food after getting a new 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 refrigerated cube truck from salesperson Jacob Puls at Runde Chevrolet today! The vehicle is replacing their 2002 box truck that had a failing refrigeration unit. “The parts for it aren’t made anymore, so every time something happened, they had to find used parts,” said Kathy Hutton, executive director of St. Stephen’s Food Bank. “Last time, it took 12 weeks.” Twelve weeks is too long to wait when the truck has important work to do. The truck helps the nonprofit pick up food donations that they distribute to over 100 partner agencies. St. Stephen’s Food Bank distributed 1.8 million pounds of food in 2017 — up 20 percent from [...]

Runde Auto Group is proud to be a driving force behind the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival. The 2018 festival is set for April 26-29 in downtown Dubuque. All films are FREE on Runde Free Day, Thursday, April 26. See you at the fest! The Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism’s film Los Lecheros will be featured with a special screening at the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival.  The film will be shown at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 28 at the Dubuque Museum of Art. Before the film at noon, there will be a chance for mingling with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. The event is free.