City of Rochester
News Release
(Friday, May 29, 2009) - Wegmans and the Ontario Beach Park Program Committee join with the City to celebrate Rochester’s 175th anniversary and 25 years of free family programming at the Ontario Beach Park during the 25th annual Rochester Harbor and Carousel Festival June 26 through 28.
“Ontario Beach Park and its spectacular shorelines provide unlimited opportunities for swimming, boating and family fun such as the annual Rochester Harbor and Carousel Festival,” said Mayor Robert J. Duffy, “We cannot overlook the contributions of such corporate sponsors as Wegmans and volunteer groups such as the Ontario Beach Park Program Committee, to the rejuvenation of the harbor area. They have ensured the availability of wonderful free family events throughout these past 25 years.”
The premier family beach party in Upstate New York, the festival will this year will feature such maritime favorites as the spectacular Boat Parade of Lights and a dramatic arrival of the tall ship Playfair from Toronto. Festival-goers will be able to board the ship aboard the Playfair for free tours, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 27 and 28.
The "Boat Parade of Lights," from 9 to 10 p.m. on June 26, features dozens of brightly lit and decorated vessels passing in review from the Genesee River to Lake Ontario. Hundreds of dollars in prizes await the boat captains and crews who best decorate their crafts and costume themselves to represent the theme "Disney on Parade." Interested boaters may call (585) 428-6770 for details. The event is open to all boaters and no entry fee is required.
Boat docking for visiting mariners is available at the new Riverfront Marina by calling (585) 227-1579. Rates: 50 cents per foot.
Other festival highlights include continuous concerts on two stages, a fireworks display over Lake Ontario, “Key West-style” buskers on the wharf and all the other traditional carnival fare: rides, food and games. The festival promises lakeshore breezes, musical entertainment and free tours through the historic Genesee Lighthouse (1-5 p.m., June 27 and 28).
June 28 will feature the Rochester Harbor Festival 10K, starting at 8 a.m, at the Sandpiper Shelter at Ontario Beach Park. For more information or to preregister, go to www.gvh.net.
Other features include: An arts and crafts show, historic Dentzel carousel rides ($1 per person), Wegmans Children’s Area (1 to 4 p.m. June 27 and 28), a classic car show and other attractions.
The festival is brought to Ontario Beach Park through the combined efforts of the Ontario Beach Park Program Committee (OBPPC), a volunteer citizens’ group chaired by Joe Carrozzi; corporate funding from Wegmans and the sponsorship of the City of Rochester and Monroe County.
For further information: Call 311 (outside city limits, 585-428-5990), the 24-hour OBPPC tapeline at 585-865-3320 or visit www.cityofrochester.gov.
Traffic Information:
• Free shuttle buses will be provided to and from the festival site June 28 from 5 p.m. to midnight, departing about four times an hour from Greece Arcadia High School, 120 Island Cottage Rd., and (exit Interstate 390 at Latta Road). Handicapped parking is also available on site.
• Public parking at Ontario Beach Park and the Port of Rochester is limited: When lots are full, access roads from Lake Avenue into the parking lots will be closed and all traffic will be diverted out of the area and on Saturday to the shuttle lots at Greece Arcadia High School, 120 Island Cottage Road.
• Traffic advisories specific to fireworks display on June 27:
o After 6 p.m. access into the Charlotte area will be limited to residents and those working in the area. Since traffic will be extremely heavy, the public is strongly encouraged to arrive at their destination far in advance of the street closings to avoid delays. Normal traffic patterns will resume soon after the conclusion of the fireworks.
o Lake Avenue may be closed to all northbound traffic at the Lake Ontario Parkway. All vehicles will be detoured east across the O’Rourke Bridge or west onto the Lake Ontario Parkway.
o Delays will be experienced on the Lake Ontario State Parkway to allow access for shuttle buses.
o Beach Avenue will be closed to eastbound traffic at Greenleaf Road. Eastbound traffic will be diverted onto Greenleaf Road to the Parkway or Latta Road.
o The Charlotte Pier will be closed to all pedestrian traffic from about 3 p.m. to the morning of June 28.
Boater Information:
• On June 26, boaters should expect heavy river traffic between 8:45 p.m. and 10 p.m. during the “Boat Parade of Lights” which will take place from the swing bridge to the mouth of the river. Monitor Marine Channel 6 for specific instructions.
• On Sat. evening, June 27, the Genesee River will be closed to all inbound and outbound boating traffic between the river entrance and the swing bridge between approximately 9:15 p.m. and 10:25 p.m. to allow for the fireworks display over the lake. Extreme caution should be exercised due to the large volume of boat traffic before and after the event.
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Media: For further information, call Grace Girsch, 428-6026.