January 2018

Have you been to the Beach in Winter?

Embrace all that is cold and wintry about Rochester by going Lakeside in February for the 34th annual Lakeside Winter Celebration, Saturday, Feb. 10 and Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. On Saturday, activities will be held from noon to 6:30 pm at the Port of Rochester Terminal Building and adjacent Ontario Beach Park. Members of the 21+ crowd are invited to explore the 8th Annual Lake Ontario Wine and Craft Beer Festival. Home cooks can compete in the Chilly Chili Challenge for a chance to bring home cash, plaques, and bragging rights as the People’s Choice for the Best Chili in Rochester. Younger visitors will appreciate horse-drawn carriage rides, a dog sled demo, and outdoor games with Rec on the Move. Anyone can check out the ice-sculpture demo and create a Valentine’s-Day-themed snow sculpture of their very own. Whatever time you arrive, be sure to stick around for a gigantic fireworks display at 5:30 p.m.

A Double Dose of Cold

Real weekend warriors should come back on Sunday to watch more than 1,000 crazy cats from Polar Plunge brave the waves of our inland ocean to benefit the Special Olympics. You can also catch the nail-biting action of the Frostbiter’s Sailboat Races. If you’ll be taking part in Sunday’s plunge, you can warm up with fellow plungers, supporters, and sponsors on Saturday at a pre-plunge gala in the 3rd-floor glass atrium of the boater services building. Enjoy drinks, appetizers and surprises and a 360-degree view of the fireworks display over the river at 5:30 p.m. More info and registration at polarplunge.net.