ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rochester's Lilac Festival opens on Friday and it's back in a new way after the pandemic.
The event returns to Highland Park for its 124th edition.
Shuttle service from MCC will run each Saturday and Sunday of the festival from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. It'll drop visitors off at South and Highland avenues, near the entrance to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Along with all of the familiar sights and sounds, the festival is bringing back the musical lineup this year. There will be plenty of performers throughout the day on the main stage. You can find the lineup on the Lilac Fest's website.
The first acts Friday evening are Steve Grills and the Roadmasters at 4 p.m. followed by The Coupe De’ Villes at 5:30 p.m. and headliner Blues Traveler at 7 p.m.
There's a wine tasting expo on Saturday with a Kentucky Derby theme. Festival-goers will be able to watch the race and there will be outfit contests too, just like at Churchill Downs.
On Saturday, look for Art in the Park. The works of artists from around the country will be on display and judged by a panel. There will be everything from jewelry and ceramics to paintings along with wood and soap sculptures.
The Lilac Festival Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. It will feature more than 2,500 participants, including 20 marching bands, dancers and the popular Damascus mini-cars. Olympic gold medalist and Pittsford native Chris Lillis is the grand marshal.
The parade begins on South Avenue at Science Parkway, then travels north on South Avenue to Highland Avenue where it turns south past the lilac gardens before ending at the corner of Highland Avenue and Goodman Street.
Traffic along South Avenue will be impacted on Saturday.
Roads between Elmwood Avenue and East Henrietta Road, including Booth Street, Warren Street, Rosemont Street and Fort Hill Terrace will be closed to traffic at 9:15 a.m.
No street parking is allowed along the parade route.
New this year is the Big Sing immediately following the parade, with 200 gospel singers from across the region performing at Highland Park.
You can find all the information on the 2022 festival by clicking here.