NEWSLETTER
Rochester, N.Y. (January 30, 2024) – The Rochester Lilac Festival, one of the most beloved annual events in Monroe County, is set to return in 2024. Event organizers announced today that the 126th Rochester Lilac Festival will take place on May 10-19, 2024. The festival’s more than 500,000 annual visitors will experience time-honored traditions and family activities while taking in the beauty and fragrant scents of the largest collection of lilacs in the Northeast, planted across the sprawling Highland Park gardens. The Rochester Lilac Festival is one of the largest free festivals of its kind in the country and serves as the unofficial start of Rochester’s festival season.
The Lilac Festival Board tapped two long-time festival collaborators, Jenny LoMaglio and PEC Management LLC, to co-produce this year's event. LoMaglio and PEC bring decades of experience with the festival and dedication to producing a world-class event.
“We’re honored that the Lilac Festival Board has entrusted us with shepherding the festival into its 126th year, and we look forward to producing a safe and fun event for the whole family,” said co-producer and Festival spokesperson Jenny LoMaglio. “To achieve this, we’re focusing this year’s event on what makes the Lilac Festival a family affair – the beloved art & craft show, the Lilac Run, the Lilac Parade, and, of course, all-day music!”
SAVE THE DATES
● May 10 – Opening Ceremony (10 am), festival grounds open (10:30 am through 8:30 pm)
● May 11, 12, 18, 19 – Art in the Park (10 am – 6 pm Saturdays, 10 am- 5 pm Sundays)
● May 11 – Lilac Parade (commences at 10:30 am at Science Prkwy)
● May 14 – Seniors Day
● May 19 – 45th Annual Lilac Run 5K/10K, and Donut Dash
Co-producers also plan to elevate the festival’s family-friendly atmosphere by introducing new safety measures to further align with safety programs for large venues and gathering places across the United States. This includes strengthening perimeter fencing and additional security personnel at entrance points and throughout the grounds to enforce the festival’s code of conduct and chaperone policies. In addition, there will be an updated clear-bag policy.
“I’m pleased to welcome Jenny LoMagilo and PEC Management to the Rochester Lilac Festival team. Both have a well-earned reputation of expertise with important community events and celebrations,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. “This iconic Spring kick-off event brings families and the community together to savor the best food, drink and entertainment Monroe County has to offer, and admire the stunning beauty of Frederick Law Olmsted-designed Highland Park. I look forward to another successful year for the Rochester Lilac Festival.”
“The Rochester Lilac Festival showcases the spectacular beauty of historic Highland Park and provides residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy free, family-friendly, world-class entertainment,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “On behalf of the City of Rochester, I would like to thank the producers and all of the sponsors and partners for their dedication in producing this year’s Lilac Festival.”
“We’re thrilled to announce the dates for the return of the Rochester Lilac Festival,” said Don Jeffries, President & CEO, Visit Rochester. “The Rochester Lilac is a treasured Rochester tradition, celebrating the blooming of the largest collection of lilacs in North America. This year’s festival will showcase the natural beauty of Highland Park, alongside live music, food, drink, arts and crafts and so many other features of the Rochester Lilac Festival that attendees have come to know and love. As always, we invite locals and visitors alike to come on out and visit the Lilac Festival this May.”
SPONSOR AND VENDOR OPPORTUNITIES
When local businesses partner with and support the festival, they’re helping this great community asset thrive –– in turn, the festival’s more than 500,000 annual visitors support them, which makes it possible for those businesses to give back to our community. It’s a cycle of giving that the Rochester Lilac Festival is proud to champion. Contact the sponsor team at info@roclilacfest.com to learn about custom partnership opportunities.
2024 Rochester Lilac Festival Sponsors
Bully Hill Vineyards, Wilkins RV, Pepsi and House of Guitars.
About the Rochester Lilac Festival
The Rochester Lilac Festival is an award-winning, time-honored tradition celebrated every spring since 1898, in accordance with the blooming of the most extensive collection of lilacs in the Northeast. On average, more than 500,000 visitors from across Western and Upstate NY, the tri-state area, and Canada attend the 10-day free festival each year.
In 2024, the festival will return with 120+ musical performances, 300+ juried arts and craft vendors, kids' activities, and the star of the show – the fragrant lilac blossoms. The annual event is hosted by the Lilac Festival Board, which includes Monroe County, the City of Rochester and Visit Rochester.
For more information about this year’s event, visit www.roclilacfest.com or on social media at https://www.facebook.com/RochesterLilacFestival/ and https://www.instagram.com/rochesterlilacfestival/.
Media Contact: Jamie@roclilacfest.com
High-Resolution Logo Files: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/190Mtn1RSeotBbUEH_hfSsdgxEBiOSJk_?usp=sharing
###