City of Rochester
News Release
(Monday, Nov. 28, 2011) – Mayor Thomas S. Richards announced upcoming City-sponsored festive events today.
“The City is committed to continuing its tradition of providing family-oriented holiday activities,” Mayor Richards said. “Opportunities to celebrate the holidays abound at our recreation and community centers, at the Rochester Public Market and downtown. I invite everyone to join me on December 3 to light the Liberty Pole and kick-off the ice skating season at the Manhattan Square Park ice rink.” The City’s free activities include:
CITY HALL ATRIUM TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY – Friday, Dec. 2 Performances by Rochester City School District’s Enrico Fermi School No. 17 chorus and the School of the Arts Choir. A special visit from Santa
HOLIDAY FAMILY FUN DAY — Saturday, Dec. 3 Holiday Fun at the Sibley Building From 3 to 5 p.m. bring the kids downtown for holiday fun in the Sibley Building, 228 East Main St. (intersection of Main Street and Franklin Street), with visits from Santa, costumed holiday characters, entertainment by Enrico Fermi School No. 17 and Flower City School No. 54 Show Choir, Prime Time Brass, face painting, children’s crafts, ‘Recreation on the Move’ activities and other surprises. Parking available in the East End Garage and on area streets.
Liberty Pole Lighting
From 5 to 5:10 p.m. the fun moves outside for another time-tested tradition unique to Rochester as Mayor Richards switches on the lights of the Liberty Pole just outside the Sibley Building.
Join a Holiday Parade
From 5:15 to 5:30 p.m. children, parents and well-wishers will follow Mayor Richards, Santa, Rudolph and the Rochester Fire Department’s hook and ladder fire truck to the music of Prime Time Brass in a procession from the Liberty Pole to Manhattan Square Park Ice Rink. Participants may choose to catch a ride on an ole’ time trolley to the rink or to area parking garages.
Season Opening of Manhattan Square Park Ice Rink At approximately 5:30 p.m., the parade-goers will be greeted with ground fireworks at the ice rink. The evening will also feature FREE open skate to holiday DJ music provided by Beal’s Rock and Roll Review 5:30-8:30 p.m. (It is suggested that individuals bring their own skates, if at all possible, as there is very limited skate rental for $3 per person.) Other attractions include a 30-foot, fully-decorated holiday tree, along with figure and speed skating exhibitions. Fee for refreshment and food purchases. The skating rink will be open from 3 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
FREE trolley rides may be taken back to nearby parking garages from the rink until 8:30 p.m. Parking is available at the Washington Square Parking Garage, 111 Woodbury Blvd. and the East End Garage, 475 E. Main St., for $2. The entire Holiday Family Fun Day is sponsored WARM Radio and the City of Rochester.
HOLIDAYS AT THE MARKET — Sunday, Dec. 4, 11 & 18
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy a unique holiday shopping experience at the 106-year-old Rochester Public Market, 280 N. Union St. Festive decorations will greet shoppers as they choose from the largest selection of fresh cut trees and wreaths in the area. Numerous vendors will offer art, crafts, decorations, holiday food delicacies, gift items, stocking stuffers and more. Shoppers are invited to stop in and taste microbrewed beer at Rohrbach’s, sample fresh-baked breads and sweets at the Union Street Bakery and savor the fresh, roasted coffee at Java’s at the Market. There will be fun for the entire family, including visits with Santa, free horse-drawn sleigh rides and other kid-friendly activities each Sunday.
ROCHESTER’S 29th ANNUAL MERRY TUBA CHRISTMAS – Saturday, Dec. 17 From 3 to 4 p.m. FREE event at Hochstein Performance Hall, 50 N. Plymouth Ave. Tickets available on a first come, first served basis beginning December 1 at Rochester City Hall, 30 Church St., Room 203A, and Hochstein Music Hall, 50 N. Plymouth Ave. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while supplies last. Enjoy the sound of more than 100 tubas, sousaphones, baritones and euphoniums playing festive holiday music, a Rochester holiday tradition since 1983.
NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION & FIREWORKS — Saturday, Dec. 31 From 7 to 10 p.m. Festivities begin inside the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, 123 E. Main St, with FREE activities and entertainment for all ages and FREE parking in Sister Cities, Court Street, South Avenue and Washington Square Garages. (Fee for refreshments.) The entire family will enjoy a dance party hosted by long-time local DJ, Jimmy C Music Machine and funny poses in an old-time photo booth. Kid-friendly inflatable attractions will include a giant bounce house, climbing wall, obstacle course and other inflatables. Also featured will be a magician, clowns, henna tattoo artist and caricaturists.
From 9:50 to 10:15 p.m. Relocate just outside the Convention Center, overlooking the Main St. Bridge. From this perfect vantage point, view the City’s spectacular fireworks finale — the largest New Year’s Eve fireworks show in Greater Rochester.
Events are sponsored by the City of Rochester and WARM Radio. For more information, call 311 (outside the city, 428-5990); visit www.cityofrochester.gov; or watch City12 Cable TV.
HOLIDAYS AT CITY RECREATION — Throughout the season Call your neighborhood center to learn about visits from Santa, holiday parties and other recreation center activities. To obtain the telephone number of a City Recreation center, patrons may visit www.cityofrochester.gov/recreationcenters or call 311.
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News Media: For more information, contact City Special Events Manager Margaret Reichert at 428-6694.