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2015 ROCHESTER LILAC FESTIVAL EXPANDS
WITH MORE TASTING AND SHOPPING
Visitors will find an expanded arts & crafts show, a special chocolatier, a Home & Garden show
and the all-new Lilac Brew Fest
ROCHESTER, NY, April 7, 2015-There's something new to discover every day at the 117th edition of the Rochester Lilac Festival, May 8 through May 17, 2015, at Highland Park.
The 2015 festival is expanding its footprint to include Reservoir Avenue, allowing festivalgoers to take advantage of more of the park. The expansion allows Art in the Park, the weekend arts and crafts show, to occupy the ideal location along Reservoir Avenue, making it more inviting to stroll along the avenue comfortably, with access for strollers and people with disabilities.
"The Rochester Lilac Festival is a deeply rooted tradition that serves as a great source of pride and excitement for local residents," said County Executive Maggie Brooks. "Not only is the Lilac Festival one of Monroe County's most celebrated events, it also attracts thousands of out-of-town guests and contributes millions into our local economy. I hope both residents and visitors enjoy this free festival that highlights our local parks and all that Monroe County has to offer."
Another addition to the festival will be a Big Top Tent located along South Avenue at Highland Avenue; which will remain for all ten days of the Festival.
Events under the Big Top include:
• Lilac Home & Garden Show The perfect event to shop and explore what's new for spring and summer. More than 30 businesses will display their wares on the two festival weekends, May 9-10 and May 16-17 10:30 a.m. -8:30 p.m. daily. Admission is free.
• Expanded Wine & Chocolate Tasting: In its third year festivalgoers will find the largest collection of New York State wineries yet, as well as a Farmers' Market of cheese, jams, jellies, sauces, and other delicacies produced here in New York. Partnering with the Rochester Lilac Festival this year is Li-Lac Chocolates, the oldest chocolatier in Manhattan, using preservative-free recipes perfected a century ago. Two tasting session are presented daily, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, May 11, 12 and 13, from 1 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m.; tickets are $15. Tickets are available online at LilacFestival.com
• Lilac Brew Fest: New in 2015, the Lilac Brew Fest will showcase more than 100 selections of craft beers from more than 25 brewers, the majority of which come from Monroe County. The Brew Fest will take place in the Big Top tent on Thursday and Friday, May 14 and 15, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 general admission, and $65 for the VIP tasting and cookout, with a 4:30 start time.
In addition, the Rochester Lilac Festival features 64 free concerts throughout the ten-day event, from headliners to up-and-coming bands from across the country. (See the music release and schedule in this press kit for more information.)
Images for the Rochester Lilac Festival can be accessed by visiting rochesterevents.com/press or LilacFestival.com. For more information, visit LilacFestival.com
About the Rochester Lilac Festival
The largest 10-day free festival of its kind in North America, the 117th Annual Rochester Lilac Festival welcomes more than 500,000 attendees annually. Visitors come to Monroe County's famous Highland Park to experience the incredible beauty and intense fragrance of more than 500 varieties of lilacs on 1,200 plants. Alongside the largest lilac collection in the United States, visitors enjoy non-stop entertainment, a wide variety of foods, and one-of-a-kind shopping. Special events inside the festival include the televised Lilac Parade, a three-day Wine & Chocolate Tasting, two-day Lilac Brew Fest, Seniors Day, and the Highland Hospital Lilac 10K and 5K. Weekends include Art in the Park-a juried art and crafts show-and the new Home Show. Open 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily May 8-17; admission to the Rochester Lilac Festival is free.
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