March 2017

How have you been enjoying these longer days?! Now that we’re past that last burst of wacky winter weather, Spring is officially here. It’s time to get out, soak up some sunlight, and reconnect with the community before all those summer vacations and lakeside weekends entice everyone out of town. Here are some of the exciting happenings still to come in the first half of 2017.

Rochester International Film Festival

It’s the longest running, continually held, short-film festival in the world! April 20th through 22nd, thousands of film lovers will gather at George Eastman Museum’s famed Dryden Theatre, right here in Rochester. The Rochester International Film Festival has repeatedly been voted best film festival by City Newspaper readers, and the screenings are free! How could you miss it?

Teen Book Festival

The Greater Rochester Teen Book Festival is an opportunity for librarians to dedicate an event solely to teens. Young people can meet favorite authors, attend writing presentations, and connect with book-loving peers at this free celebration of reading on May 20th at Nazareth College.

Lilac Festival

Rochester kicks off festival season in style with the 119th Annual Rochester Lilac Festival, May 12-21. Highlights include Art in the Park, Lilac Run 5K & 10K Races, Garden Battles, and all the food and drink from local vendors that you can handle! As always, there will be plenty of free music, including a return appearance by festival favorite Rusted Root.

Spring Sports

Now that all those national tournaments are over, you can enjoy the action up close with some local competition.

• Catch a Red Wings game for an afternoon or evening outdoors at Frontier Field. There are plenty of giveaways, promotions, and kids’ activities in store this Spring.
• Soccer season begins in April for the Rochester Rhinos at Capelli Sport Stadium — where spectators can now enjoy treats from Dinosaur Bar-B-Que at every game.
• When the weather makes outdoor sports hard to enjoy, head indoors for a debaucherously competitive display courtesy of ROC City Roller Derby. If you’ve never seen a jam, these female athletes on wheels will make your head spin.

Whatever you decide to do this Spring, be sure to get out and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. Taking it easy now will get you ready for a whirlwind 2017 summer season in Festival City, USA!