Rochester’s one-of-a-kind, 12-day Fringe Festival kicks off Sept. 12 and runs until Sept. 23.

Live performances and public art will fill the city in just about every direction, including some downtown trees.

What You Need To Know

  • The Rochester Fringe Festival is Sept. 12-23

  • Australian artist Craig Walsh will highlight three people from our community who deserve to be recognized—through his 3D visual art

  • Nominate a member of the community by midnight Tues., Aug. 29

The Fringe Festival is seeking nominations for local heroes, good people who do great things but don't always get the recognition they deserve, for a large-scale, outdoor video portrait.

Three unsung Rochester area champions will be featured in "Monuments" by Australian visual artist Craig Walsh. He will be projecting the moving faces of our local heroes onto tall trees in downtown Rochester every night throughout the Fringe Festival. 

“The last few weeks we have been coming downtown at night and projecting some faces,” said Erica Fee, the founder and president of the Rochester Fringe Festival.

Fee loves the art of shining a light on everyday people who go above and beyond, not for the spotlight but for the love of helping others.

“Who is it that we recognize?” Fee said. “Who are we building monuments to? Are we building monuments to the correct people? Who should we be building them to and who historically have we built monuments for, so I think that that brings that that all into question.”

The exact location of "Monuments" will be revealed prior to the start of the festival on Sept. 12. You have until Tuesday, Aug. 29 at midnight EST to nominate your local hero for Rochester Fringe. The honorees will be selected and notified by Sept. 1. Viewing the final 3D "Monuments" is free.