40 YEARS OF ROCHESTERFEST

By Elliot Mann

Cheese curds, live music, and a place for the kids to run: The classics never go out of style. The 40th year of Rochesterfest is nearly upon us, once again showering the city with nine days of excitement, various events all around town, and fried food best enjoyed in the sun. This year’s celebration runs from June 17-25.

“Rochesterfest is a great way to celebrate the big community that is Rochester,” says Kathleen Harrington, this year’s Rochesterfest chairperson. “We are a wonderful community that can unite around a celebration like this.”

This year’s fest, crowned with the theme of “Be A Kid Again,” is based around live music and concessions at Soldiers Memorial Field Park from June 20-24. The fryers are set to go from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Meanwhile, the events all around town start on June 17.

While organizers miss the tradition of the former downtown Rochester location, the Soldiers Field spot provides a more friendly, parklike atmosphere, Rochesterfest Executive Director Stephen Rose says. Some parents had told Ross that it was sometimes a challenge to keep an eye on their little ones running around the downtown setup, while Soldiers Field allows the organizers to lean into a family friendly atmosphere.

Rochesterfest organizers are taking advantage of that in scheduling a second “Family Night,” an additional day of family-centered activities.

“You can let the kids run that energy out,” Rose says with a laugh.

There are at least 24 different food vendors set to join, up from 20 last year. Rochesterfest’s musical entertainment also leans more local this year, as all 14 bands have Rochester area roots.

Rose says he hopes that creates another form of connection with Rochesterfest, as people come to see local names light up the stage.

“It’s a celebration of the city,” Rose says.

A few can’t miss events: Free Tootsie Rolls!

The 2023 Grand Parade will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 24 near Soldiers Memorial Field Park and the surrounding neighborhood.

Thursdays at Fest?

In past years, Rochesterfest and Thursdays on First (now Thursdays Downtown) competed for attention, Rochesterfest Executive Director Stephen Rose says. This year, there will be no Thursdays Downtown during Rochesterfest, allowing some of those food offerings to join the festivities at Soldiers Field.

Kathleen Harrington, who aside from this year’s chairperson is executive director of the Rochester Downtown Alliance, says that collaboration was intentional, to support each other in the city.

2023 Juneteenth Celebration

The Rochester branch of the NAACP is sponsoring its 18th annual Juneteenth Celebration from 12 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 17 at Martin Luther King Park, 1738 East Center St., in Rochester. The celebration promises family-friendly games, music, and food, as well.

Air up those bike tires

The monthly Scheels Bike Club Family Ride will embark from the Scheels parking lot at the Apache Mall and travel to the Soldier’s Field Rochesterfest grounds. The ride will launch at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 20.

What can be better than Family Night?

Two Family Nights. Rochesterfest organizers have scheduled family-friendly activities for both Wednesday, June 21 and Thursday, June 22 at the Soldiers Field spot. Both days offer “Art at the Fest” from 1:30-2:30 p.m., a chance for kids from kindergarten to eighth grade to let out their inner Picasso. Wednesday night offers “Sports Night,” various booths with family activities, games, and crafts.

It’s OK, the drones don’t know ChatGPT. We think. MedCity Drones will showcase a drone racing demonstration at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 24. The course will be set up at the east ball field at Soldiers Field.

For a full list of Rochesterfest events and food options, visit rochesterfest.com.

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