Downtown Definitely Events Returns with 3rd Annual Series of 14 Free Events Starting June 12
Rochester, New York, April 25, 2024 — Rochester Downtown Development Corporation (RDDC) is pleased to announce the third annual Downtown Definitely Events series of 14 popular free events including the Midday Bash, RPO Under the Stars, Movies With a Downtown View, Play Day on the Riverway and Fall Fest. The 2024 series kicks off on Wednesday, June 12 with the first of eight Midday Bashes at Parcel 5 and continues through September.
“We’re excited to kick off the third year of Downtown Definitely Events,” said Galin Brooks, President & CEO of RDDC and Executive Director of the Partnership for Downtown Rochester. “Each year the response from the community has been overwhelming – it is such a joy to see everyone turn out and enjoy downtown together. We are excited for another fun-filled season of activated public space for downtown residents, workers, and visitors to enjoy.”
“I’m pleased to see the Downtown Definitely Events series return in 2024. It showcases the increasing vibrancy and growing energy of downtown Rochester, and it spotlights the city’s diverse food, music, arts, and cultural scene. It also provides great activities for our museum guests and staff to enjoy and explore,” said Steve M. Dubnik, President and CEO of The Strong National Museum of Play and Chair of the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation
“The Downtown Definitely Events series is so important to our city,” said Janine Caschette, owner, La Bola at The Mercantile. “They enhance and enrich the social, cultural, and artistic aspects of our community and entice more crowds to come downtown. Having an extra push from gatherings like these contributes to downtown businesses’ growth and sustainability.”
The City of Rochester once again brings two popular events to the exciting lineup, partnering with Downtown Definitely Events on RPO Under the Stars and Fall Fest.
“Events in Rochester put a special emphasis on our city, and those announced today are no exception,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “The City of Rochester is proud to partner with Downtown Definitely Events to continue prioritizing our downtown by offering events that are free and fun for the entire community.”
Downtown Definitely Events are produced for RDDC by Rochester’s Bella Events Group.
“We’re delighted to work once again with the RDDC team to organize this series of free events that truly caters to everyone,” said Jenna Manetta-Knauf, owner of Bella Events Group. “Through Downtown Definitely Events, we can highlight Rochester’s revitalization and position our downtown as a premier destination for employers, families and tourists. As Rochester transforms, it’s inspiring to witness how we’ve been able to come together and share our passion for a thriving downtown. We’re proud and excited to help produce these highly popular events that attract diverse crowds and highlight the city’s essence as a center for community and connection.”
The Downtown Definitely 2023 season drew over 16,000 people downtown. The series presented 15 events in downtown Rochester from June to October creating fun activities for area residents, visitors, and those who work downtown — Midday Bash, RPO Under the Stars, Movies With a Downtown View, Play Day on the Riverway and Fall Fest.
2024 Downtown Definitely Events
MIDDAY BASH
Wednesday, June 12
Wednesday, June 19
Wednesday, July 10
Wednesday, July 24
Wednesday, August 7
Wednesday, August 21
Wednesday, September 4
Wednesday, September 11
Rain dates August 14 or September 25
Parcel 5, 285 E. Main St., Rochester
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Free!
Midday Bash offers a delicious and easy lunch option during the week, featuring local food trucks, lawn games, music, massage chairs, pop-up vendors and giveaways. Downtown Definitely Events will feature a rotation of local businesses at each of the eight Midday Bashes. This partnership program will showcase a rotation of local downtown businesses. Learn more by visiting: rochesterdowntown.com/event/midday-bash
RPO UNDER THE STARS
Friday, July 12
Parcel 5, 285 E. Main St., Rochester
5:30 to 10 p.m.
Free!
Co-produced with the City of Rochester, RPO Under the Stars is a memorable night of music under the open skies with the full Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. RPO Under the Stars is a free outdoor concert. Learn more by visiting: rochesterdowntown.com/event/rpo-under-the-stars
MOVIES WITH A DOWNTOWN VIEW
Friday, July 19
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park
Aquaman and the Lost City (2023/PG-13)
Friday, August 16
Parcel 5
The Little Mermaid (2023/PG)
Friday, September 6
Parcel 5
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024/PG-13)
Events at 7 p.m., movie at dusk
Free!
Downtown Definitely is bringing back this popular summer event for three nights this summer. All screenings are free and family-friendly. Attendees will be able to grab a bite to eat from local food trucks and enjoy movie concession items. All Movies will be screened outdoors on an 18-foot wide, 10-foot high LED video wall. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs. A limited supply of complimentary blankets will be available at the event. Learn more by visiting: rochesterdowntown.com/event/movies-with-a-downtown-view
PLAY DAY ON THE RIVERWAY
Saturday, September 14
Rundel Memorial Library, 115 South Avenue, Rochester
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Free!
Downtown Definitely is bringing back this family-friendly free event for its second year. The event will take place at the Rundel Memorial Library overlooking the Genesee River from the North Terrace to the Promenade and ROC City Skatepark. It will feature a variety of fun activities including a scavenger hunt, storytelling, entertainment, games and food and drinks to purchase. Learn more by visiting: rochesterdowntown.com/event/play-day-on-the-riverway
FALL FEST
Saturday, September 28
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Parcel 5, 285 E. Main St., Rochester
Free!
Co-produced with the City of Rochester, Fall Fest is a destination for free Autumn festivities including pumpkin painting, games and inflatables, crafts for kids, giveaways and more 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. Fall Fest is presented by MVP Heath Care. Learn more by visiting: rochesterdowntown.com/event/fall-fest
The 2024 Downtown Definitely Events series is sponsored by Rochester Gas and Electric, Buckingham Properties, Gallina Development, MVP Health Care, VIDA, ESL Federal Credit Union, Partners + Napier, with support from media partners 13WHAM, CITY Magazine, WXXI, The Little Theatre and News10NBC. Two of the events are co-produced with the City of Rochester.
Sponsorship packages are now available. For more information visit rochesterdowntown.com or contact John Connors by emailing: jconnors@rddc.org.
Getting to Downtown Definitely Events
Bike Racks
You are welcome to park your bicycle in the racks located around Parcel 5. It is recommended that you secure your bike by locking it up in the nearby bike racks.
E-bike and Scooter Share
Veo’s Shared Micromobility Program e-bikes and scooters are a fun and affordable way to get around and explore Rochester on two wheels. Download the Veo app to learn more.
Bus Routes – Regional Transit Service
Parcel 5 can be directly accessed from several transit routes. To view the maps visit: myrts.com/Maps-Schedules/RTS-Monroe/Schedule-pdfs. The RTS Transit Center on St Paul St is a 2 min walk to Parcel 5. Visit myRTS.com for more information and to download the Where’s My Bus? app for real-time bus arrival info on your smartphone from Google Play and the App Store.
Parking
Downtown Definitely Events does not operate any parking but there are many surface lots and ramp parking garages conveniently located near the event. Metered on-street parking is in service from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. Please read the signs and only park in legal spots. Midtown Garage is off of Clinton and Broad St. It has a 6 ft. clearance. The entrance is located directly across from Tower280. Rates are $2 for the first 2 hours and an additional $2 for each hour or a fraction of an hour after that. For Parcel 5 events, there is a stairwell that leads straight into the space on Andrew Langston Way.
For More Information
For the latest on Downtown Definitely Events, visit downtowndefinitely.com
Sign up for the free Downtown Definitely e-newsletter at downtowndefinitely.com
Email us at info@downtowndefinitely.com
By phone (585) 546-6920
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 September 2024 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.
