Event Details
Roc the Riverway Weekend is a celebration of the Genesee River and the ambitious initiative to transform the river corridor that began in 2018. From the farms lining its banks along the Genesee Valley, to its industrial heritage, the mighty Genesee is at the heart of who we are and how our community developed.
Roc the Riverway is a series of projects that will transform this former industrial waterway into a community recreational corridor that provides opportunities for all to interact with water. Celebrate this transformation with us! Come out, experience a weekend of activities, and learn more about our community’s vision for the future.
This year’s Roc the Riverway Weekend will feature activities up and down the Genesee River from Lake Ontario to Genesee Valley Park. Hikes, bike rides, paddles, tours and more all focused on introducing folks to the beauty and history of our City and its waterways. The weekend will also highlight progress on the myriad of Roc the Riverway capital improvements and the efforts towards establishing a new State Park at High Falls.
To learn more about the Roc the Riverway program and it’s many transformational projects along the Genesee River, click the button below:
List of Roc the Riverway Weekend events for Saturday, October 5, 2024
Fall Salmon Run
6 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Daily until November for anglers and spectators. Seth Green Dr. and Norton St. off St. Paul Blvd. This section of the Genesee River offers some of the most exciting fishing in New York State- right in the city.
Fishing allowed from the St. Rte. 104 Bridge upstream to the lower falls on the Genesee River, from one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset.
Sturgeon Release in the Genesee River
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Join the United States Geological Survey for a Sturgeon release at Seth Green Park by Lower Falls. Learn about the near 20 years of successful sturgeon reintroduction, spray paint stenciled sturgeon awareness signage in multiple languages, be joined by “Seth” our 6-foot fiberglass sturgeon mascot, observe staff measure weight, length, girth, and tag data. Attendees may participate in release of hatchery-reared sturgeon into the lower Genesee River.
Tours of the Lower Falls and Gorge
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Join docents from the Maplewood Neighborhood Association and learn about the five bridges over the gorge, the rivalry between Carthage and Rochester and the river’s transformation from a place of industry to recreation. Tours are about 45 minutes long with the last tour starting around 3 p.m. Meet in the Maplewood Rose Garden Parking Lot.
Rochester's Origins Walking Tour
10 - 11:30 a.m.
Dive into the history of Rochester and visit the locations that define our City’s origin, including Ebenezer Allen's Mill, the two Erie Canal Aqueducts and the Main Street Bridge. It will be about 1 mile in length. Meet on the south terrace of the Central Library's Rundel Building on the NW corner of South Avenue and Court Street.
Genesee River to Canal Lock 33 Boat Cruise
11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Join Corn Hill Navigation for a two- and half-hour cruise from Corn Hill Landing on the Genesee River to Lock 33 on the Erie Canal!
While aboard you will learn about the historical significance of the Genesee River, the Erie Canal and how a lock works with live guided narration. Relax and experience the natural beauty of our waterways.
From the Beyond: Tales of Melancholy, Grief, and Tragedy
12 - 1:45 p.m.
Unimaginable circumstances! Unexplained phenomena! Unfortunate events! Unbelievable superstitions!
These are just some of what affected Mount Hope Cemetery “residents” during their time among the living. Escorted tour groups will depart from the north gatehouse every 15 minutes starting at noon.
The last tour group will depart at 1:45 p.m. Advance ticket sales are limited to 25 people per time slot.
The tour will last approximately 90 minutes. The route includes paved and unpaved roads, grassy areas, and hills. This event is not recommended for children younger than 10. Meet at the North Gate House: 791 Mount Hope Avenue (opposite Robinson Dr).
Learn more | From the Beyond: Tales of Melancholy, Grief, and Tragedy
Historic High Falls Walking Tour
1 - 2 p.m.
Join Dan Cody for a 1-mile walking tour of the historic High Falls/Brown's Race district. Explore one of the city's oldest areas and learn how early settlers harnessed the power of the mighty Genesee River to run the mills and factories that created The Flour City and put Rochester on the map as an American boomtown.
Meet at the corner of State St. and Commercial St. Presented by the Rochester Public Library's Local History &
Learn more: High Falls Historic Walking Tour
ROC the Riverway Guided Bike Rides
1:30 - 3 p.m.
Experience all the progress on ROC the Riverway projects up close and on two wheels! Meet on the Broad Street Bridge and travel along the Genesee Riverway Trail and by street to explore the recent and future enhancements to the riverfront. The tour will feature projects in High Falls, Downtown, and in the South River Corridor. Helmets required.
Charlotte Genesee Lighthouse Tours
1 - 5 p.m.
Tour the oldest surviving aid to navigation lighthouse on Lake Ontario (1822); climb the Octagonal Tower to see the new fourth-order Fresnel lens and a great panorama view of Lake Ontario and the surrounding area.
In the Keeper’s House, view the history of Lighthouses in the area, and display of Ontario Beach Park from the 1870s to 1920s. Several new displays, one is the 1905 Dentzel Carousel.
Also added new displays featuring the 1916 Annexation of Charlotte, Charlotte High School, Port of Rochester, & Along the Genesee. Outside, take a walk through the War of 1812 International Peace Garden. Admission is $5.00 (18 years & older); $2.00 (5-17 years old), and FREE (4 and under). Open Fri., Sat., & Sun.
For further information call 585-621-6179 or click the button below:
Genesee River and Erie Canal Boat Cruises
1:30 - 3 p.m. and 3:30 - 5 p.m.
Enjoy a scenic roundtrip cruise on the Genesee River to Genesee Valley Park on the Erie Canal with Corn Hill Navigation. Included with this 90-minute voyage is a live guided narration about how the river and canal made Rochester the Young Lion of the West as well as interesting sites along the way.
A highlight of this cruise will be a stunning view of downtown Rochester on the way back to port.
Guided Paddle Clean Up from the Genesee Waterways Center
3 - 6 p.m.
Join Genesee RiverWatch and the Genesee Waterways Center in teaming up with the Seneca Park Zoo Society to celebrate ROC the Riverway Weekend with an educational stewardship paddle along the Genesee River.
This all-levels paddle offers participants opportunities to see the Genesee riverfront development projects up close while also learning about our local environment and helping to clean up our river. An adult must accompany all children under 18. No prior experience necessary.
Pre-registration required. Call 328-3960 or click the button below to register