Lilac Festival - Rochester, NY
Posted by: 
sagefemme
N 43° 07.508 W 077° 36.570
18T E 287731 N 4778015
This annual festival takes place in Rochester's 120-acre Olmstead-designed Highland Park. 2012 dates are May 11-20, but we've had a particulary early spring, so the lilacs will certainly be past prime this year.
Waymark Code: WMEA4Y
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 04/25/2012
Views: 5
This festival has evolved from a simple celebration of the beautiful diversity of lilac and other spring flowering plant species, to a major art, craft and music festival. There is lots to see in this park before and after the festival (especially before this year, as spring is very early), but during the festival, multiple musical groups are showcased throughout - from high school bands, to big name professionals. This is considered an International Festival, attracting folks to Rochester from around the world.
Check the festival website for dates of future festivals. (
visit link)
Update (5/17/2012): I stopped by to try to get pictures of the festival today. Some problems with that. The reservoir occupies the high ground (where the best panoramic views might be found) has been off limits since 9/11. Being an Olmstead designed park, the remaining high ground is laid out to create a sense of intimate privacy. Although the lilacs are past their prime, I was able to get some pictures of flowering trees and shrubs that bloom later. (See gallery)
Update (5/20/2012): I visited today, in the last two hours of the last day of this 10-day long festival. Like its opening day, the weather was warm and sunny. I think nearly everyone who intended to visit had already done so, so it wan't wall-to-wall people, but it was plenty busy none-the-less. I'm posting pictures showing some of the main attractions: one section of the park was devoted to craft show vendors; another to live music; yet another to international foods (and beers). There were also sections where traditional festival foods such as kettle corn, carmel apples, funnel cakes and sno-cones could be found. Even so, this is an Olmstead park, and there are spaces that are only suitable for people to cluster picnic-style under the shade trees and admire the blossoms and fragrances.