Organizers of the Rochester Lilac Festival has announced the dates for the upcoming festival in May.
The 10-day festival begins Friday, May 10 and runs through Sunday, May 19 at Highland Park and is now celebrating its 126th year, event organizers announced Tuesday.
The city’s signature festival is set against the backdrop of North America’s largest collection of lilacs: 1,800 fragrant bushes representing 500 varieties planted in Highland Park, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Each year, the 10-day festival draws more than 500,000 visitors. The festival is free.
Organizers also listed some notable dates for the festival:
- Friday, May 10 – Opening Day with a ceremony at 10 a.m.
- Saturday, May 11 – Lilac Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at Science Parkway
- Tuesday, May 14 – Seniors Day
- Sunday, May 19 – 45th annual Lilac Run – a 5K, 10K and the Donut Dash
Art in the Park, a juried art and craft show featuring more than 300 vendors, will be held both festival weekends – May 11 and 12 and May 18 and 19. Another big draw of the festival is the event’s free live music – bands and musical groups perform daily at the festival’s main stage within the park.