First Midday Bash is June 12th Kicking Off 3rd Annual Downtown Definitely Events Series

Written By Amanda Antinore

Rochester, New York, June 5, 2024 — The first Downtown Definitely Midday Bash kicks off Wednesday, June 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Parcel 5. Midday Bash in downtown Rochester offers a delicious and easy lunch option during the week and features different local food trucks, lawn and tabletop games, live music, massage chairs and giveaways.

Midday Bash is part of the third annual Downtown Definitely Events series of 14 popular free events including Midday Bash, RPO Under the Stars, Movies With a Downtown View, Play Day on the Riverway and MVP Health Care Fall Fest. Downtown Definitely Events is produced by the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation (RDDC). RPO Under the Stars and MVP Health Care Fall Fest are co-produced by the City of Rochester.

“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.”

Downtown Definitely Events are produced for RDDC by Rochester’s Bella Events Group.

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.

WHERE

Parcel 5, 285 E Main St, Rochester, New York 14604

WHEN

  • Wednesday, June 12, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

  • Wednesday, July 10, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

  • Wednesday, July 24, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

  • Wednesday, August 7, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

  • Wednesday, August 14, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

  • Wednesday, August 21, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

  • Wednesday, September 4, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

  • Wednesday, September 11, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHO & WHAT – June 12

2024 Downtown Definitely Events

Midday Bash

  • Wednesday, June 12

  • Wednesday, July 10 

  • Wednesday, July 24 

  • Wednesday, August 7

  • Wednesday, August 14

  • Wednesday, August 21 

  • Wednesday, September 4 

  • Wednesday, September 11 

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/middaybash

 RPO Under the Stars

Friday, July 12 

Parcel 5, 285 E. Main St., Rochester

6 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. The event will feature the Flower City Pride Band from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m. followed by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra at 8 p.m. who will play music from film classics, including thrillers, romance, action, comedy, and outer space, conducted by Jherrard Hardeman. RPO Under the Stars is a free outdoor concert. Learn more by visiting:rochesterdowntown.com/rpounderthestars

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/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/playday

MVP Health Care Fall Fest

Saturday, September 28 

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Parcel 5, 285 E. Main St., Rochester

Free! 

Co-produced with the City of Rochester, MVP Health Care 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. MVP Health Care 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 sponsored by MVP Heath Care. Learn more by visiting: rochesterdowntown.com/fallfest

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, Democrat and Chronicle 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.

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 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.

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Amanda Antinore
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Downtown Rochester Farmers Market Begins 16-week run July 10th on Parcel 5