2023 - City of Rochester, Downtown Definitely to Host Second Annual Fall Fest at Parcel 5 on October 14

Written By Rochester Downtown

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Sep. 15, 2023 — The City of Rochester and Downtown Definitely Events today announced plans for the second annual Fall Fest taking place in the heart of downtown Rochester at Parcel 5 on Saturday, October 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fall Fest is a free, family-friendly event open to the public, rain or shine, and will feature pumpkin painting, games and inflatables, giveaways, a petting zoo and other seasonal activities to be announced closer to the event.

Fall Fest will also feature the City of Rochester’s popular program “Little Kids and Big Rigs,” where kids can explore police cars, fire trucks, SWAT vehicles, an ambulance, dump trucks, garbage trucks, construction equipment, and much more. This year’s event will be entirely horn-free.

Vehicles are provided by the Rochester Fire Department, Rochester Police Department, AMR, the City of Rochester Department of Environmental Services, and Rochester Gas and Electric.

New this year, Fall Fest will feature a Pumpkin Carving Contest for local businesses in downtown Rochester. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded as well as a special feature on the Downtown Rochester NY Instagram account instagram.com/downtownrochesterny. Fall Fest organizers will supply pumpkins at no charge to participants. To enter, email info@downtowndefinitely.com before Monday, October 2. Space is limited.

Fall Fest is presented by MVP Health Care produced in partnership with the City of Rochester and Downtown Definitely Events.

“The City of Rochester is excited to partner with MVP Health Care and Downtown Definitely Events again to host the second annual Fall Fest featuring Little Kids and Big Rigs right in the heart of Downtown Rochester,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “Little Kids and Big Rigs is a fun-filled opportunity for children to embrace their curiosity and sense of wonder by doing what they do best: exploring and observing. I encourage families to come Downtown on October 14 to celebrate the fall season and see the vehicles that make City operations possible. Free, family-friendly events like Fall Fest bring people together and build a strong sense of community in our city.”

“We are thrilled to team up with the City of Rochester to host the second annual Fall Fest, the most popular event of our Downtown Definitely Events series,” said Galin Brooks, president & CEO of the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation. “This event offers a wonderful opportunity for families to spend an afternoon downtown and experience new and exciting activities for all ages, right in the heart of our City. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the season and enjoy a day of Autumn amusement downtown!”

“We are so proud to support the 2023 Fall Fest because it provides families throughout Rochester with an opportunity to get outdoors, enjoy fun Fall activities, and celebrate our vibrant community,” said MVP Health Care’s Leader of Field Marketing, Stacey Barss. “MVP will be at Parcel 5 throughout the day with activities and giveaways that kids and families of all ages will be sure to enjoy. We look forward to seeing you there!”

WHAT TO EXPECT –

Trucks: 

  • AMR Ambulance

  • Bomb Squad Command Vehicle

  • Fire truck Engine 1

  • Patrol Car

  • SWAT BearCat

  • SCUBA

  • More to be announced!

Inflatables:

  • Bounce House

  • Giant Slide

  • Castle 5-in-1 Combo

  • Play Sports Inflatable

  • Leaps and Bounds

  • Launch Pad

  • Turbo Rush

  • Rat Race Obstacle Course

Carnival Games:

  • Laser Toss

  • Gator Gulp

  • Penguin Fish Fling

  • Performers:

  • Balloon artist

  • Magicians

  • Juggler/stilt walker

Activities:

  • Pumpkin decorating

  • Face painting

  • Petting zoo

  • Eclipse viewer-making station presented by the Girl Scouts of Western New York

  • Books by Bike presented by the Monroe County Library System

Food and Drink:

Local organizations providing information and fun giveaways:

For More Information

About Downtown Definitely Events

Downtown Definitely Events is a series of free events and activities founded in 2022 and produced by the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation (RDDC). Downtown Definitely Events take place in downtown Rochester from June through October 2023 and include food, festivals, music, movies, and more shining the light on downtown to create great new experiences and help bring the community together again. Downtown Definitely is a joint initiative of NYS Empire State Development, ROC2025 and Greater ROC, Rochester Downtown Development Corporation, Partnership for Downtown Rochester, and the City of Rochester. Their shared mission is to grow economic vitality in downtown Rochester by bringing the community together and improving its street-level and riverfront experience.

About Rochester Downtown Development Corporation (RDDC)

RDDC is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization founded in 1977 whose mission is to drive economic vitality in Downtown Rochester. RDDC accelerates downtown development by positioning and marketing the assets that attract businesses and investment, and it catalyzes innovative ideas that make downtown a more vibrant and inclusive community. In 2020, RDDC built The Commissary, the region’s first and only food business incubator and shared kitchen.

About the Partnership for Downtown Rochester (PDR)

Established in 2021, the Partnership for Downtown Rochester (PDR) is a public-private partnership between Empire State Development, the City of Rochester, RDDC, and ROC2025. The Partnership was created to facilitate placemaking efforts, coordinate marketing and programming, and lead the promotion of activities throughout downtown Rochester and along the Genesee Riverway.


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