The 2023 Rochester Harborfest takes place June 23-25. This exciting event marks the opening of the summer season at the beach as well as the 200th anniversary of Monroe County and the Charlotte Genesee Lighthouse.
Harborfest will feature entertainment on both days, including professional sand sculpting demonstrations, a gigantic car show and a boat parade of lights. Activities will include a volleyball tournament, children’s area, food vendors, tours of the historic lighthouse, free rides on the 117-year-old Dentzel Carousel, and much more.
Area businesses will also feature food and beverage specials all weekend.
The Rochester Harborfest at Ontario Beach Park is hosted by the Ontario Beach Park Program Committee in conjunction with the City and Monroe County.
Schedule of events and activities:
Friday, June 23
- 12 p.m. - Dusk — Sand Sculpture Display and Demonstration (Beach)
- 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. — Historic Genesee-Charlotte Lighthouse Tours
- 1 p.m. - 9 p.m. — Historic Dentzel Carousel and Chirldrens Area Open
- 12 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. — Food and Beverage Vendors Open
- 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. — Live Music: Bill Tiberio (Jazz, Tent Stage)
- 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. — Live Music: Honey & Vinegar (Pop, Tent Stage)
- 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. — Live Music: Neil Van Dorn Band (Pop, Pavilion)
Saturday, June 24
- 7:45 a.m. - 9 a.m. — Fleet Feet Sports Harborfest 5K and 10K Race
- 9 a.m. - Dusk — Sand Sculpture Display and Demonstration (Beach)
- 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. — Sand Sculpture Contest (open to public, beach)
- 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. — Wheels in Motion Car Show
- 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Arts, Crafts, and Merchandise Vendors
- 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Community and Business Displays
- 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Harborfest Volleyball Tournament (Beach)
- 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Marine Displays
- 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. — Historic Dentzel Carousel and Chirldrens Area Open
- 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. — Food and Beverage Vendors Open
- 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. — Historic Genesee-Charlotte Lighthouse Tours
- 1 p.m. - 8 p.m. — Buskers on the Boardwalk
- 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. — Live Music: Inside Out (Classic Pop, Pavilion)
- 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. — Live Music: Jimmie Highsmith (Blues/Jazz?R&B, Tent)
- 4 p.m. — Sand Sculpture Contest Awards (Tent Stage)
- 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. — Live Music: Daryl Parker (Jazz, Tent Stage)
- 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. — Live Music: Me and the Boyz (Party Band, Pavilion)
- 9 p.m. — Boat Parade of Lights (Genesee River)
Sunday, June 25
- 9 a.m. - dusk — Sand sculpture display and demonstration (beach)
- 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Harborfest Volleyball Tournament (Beach)
- 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Food and Beverage Vendors Open
- 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. — Antique Fire Equipment Display
- 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Arts, Crafts, and Merchandise Vendors
- 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Community Organization and Business Exhibits
- 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. — Historic Genesee-Charlotte Lighthouse Tours
- 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Marine Displays
- 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. — Historic Dentzel Carousel and Chirldrens Area Open
- 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. — Buskers on the Boardwalk
- 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. — Live Music: Bob Schneider (Jazz, Tent Stage)
- 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. — Live Music: Rob Smith & Mike Gladstone (70s-80s Pop, Tent Stage)
For more information about this year's Harbofest, visit this website.