June 15th, 2023
A long-time community tradition to launch summer at the lakeshore, the Rochester Harborfest is returning to Ontario Beach Park in 2023–thanks to the Ontario Beach Park Program Committee, Monroe County, the City of Rochester and supporting sponsors Wegmans, MVP Health Care, and Greenlight Networks. This year’s Harborfest is June 23–25.
The 2023 Harborfest is a cornucopia of free family friendly events, to include: a huge sand sculpture depicting the historic “gateway to the beach’, by nationally known sand sculptor Dan Belcher; a public sand sculpting contest with cash prizes; a nighttime Boat Parade of Lights; free rides on the historic Dentzel Carousel and tours of the historic, 200-year old Genesee-Charlotte Lighthouse; a Children’s Area; Wheels in Motion car show; a beach volleyball tournament; food and beverage vendors, strolling entertainers (Buskers on the Boardwalk), and more. Favorite local bands will play Saturday and Sunday, and throughout the weekend lakeshore restaurants and bars will be open, with many featuring special deals and entertainment.
“Monroe County is a proud supporter of Harborfest,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. “This signature event – which returned last year after an 11-year hiatus — gives families and individuals the opportunity to join together and enjoy the opening of the summer season at beautiful Ontario Beach Park – where we are making great investments like the new spray park and accessible playground that will open up in coming weeks. I invite everyone to come out and enjoy the fun, the music, our historic carousel and all the other activities that make Harborfest such a beloved tradition.”
“Harborfest is a great way to kick off the summer festival season at Ontario Beach Park,” says Mayor Malik D. Evans. “From live music to marine displays to beach volleyball, there’s something
for everyone to enjoy. This free-to-attend festival presents the perfect opportunity to come together and celebrate our beautiful lakefront. I invite everyone to come to Charlotte to enjoy the many activities and events that Harborfest has to offer.”
See the second page of this release for the full events schedule, including the live music lineup!
“Here in Rochester we are blessed with a unique waterfront, where the Genesee River completes its course into the world’s fourteenth largest lake,” said Jim Farr of the Ontario Beach Park Program Committee, the non-profit that organizes Harborfest and other free events in Rochester’s lakefront Charlotte neighborhood. “Harborfest has long been a festive Rochester tradition for kickstarting the summer season at our sensational slice of Great Lake shoreline.”
Harborfest organizers are still seeking vendors for the weekend. A limited number of sales spots are available for vendors of arts, crafts and other new merchandise. For applications and details, contact Jaime Henderson at [email protected] or call (585) 865-3320.
The Ontario Beach Park Program Committee (OBPPC) is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to producing free and low cost family entertainment events in Ontario Beach Park, the Port of Rochester Harbor, and the lower Genesee River area in the City of Rochester, New York. Comprised entirely of volunteers, the organization’s mission is to promote the use and responsible development of Rochester’s unique Lake Ontario and Genesee River resources. Visit www.ontariobeachentertainment.org for more information on other free events such as the Jazz at the Beach Series, Concerts by the Shore, Lakeside Winterfest and Polar Plunge and more.
Events and Activities Schedule:
Friday, June 23
12:00 p.m.-Dusk: Sand Sculpture Display - Beach
1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.: Historic Genesee-Charlotte Lighthouse open for tours
1:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.: Historic Dentzel Carousel and Children’s Area open
12:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m.: Food and Beverage Vendors Open
3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.: Live Music: Bill Tiberio (Jazz) - Tent Stage
5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.: Live Music: Honey and Vinegar (Acoustic pop) - Tent Stage
7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.: Live Music: NVD Band (Acoustic pop) - Performance Pavilion
Saturday, June 24
7:45 a.m.-9:00 a.m.: Fleet Feet Sports Harborfest 5K and 10K Race (yellowjacketracing.com)
9:00 a.m. - Dusk: Sand Sculpture Display - Beach
9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: Sand Sculpture Contest (open to public) - Beach (cash prizes) **
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: Wheels in Motion Car Show **
10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.: Arts, Crafts and Merchandise vendors
10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.: Community and Business displays
10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.: Harborfest Volleyball Tournament - Beach
11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.: Marine displays
11 :00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.: Historic Dentzel Carousel and Children’s Area open
11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.: Food and Beverage vendors open
1:00 p.m-5:00 p.m.: Historic Genesee-Charlotte Lighthouse open for tours
1:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.: Buskers on the Boardwalk
1:00p.m.- 3:00 p.m.: Live Music: Inside Out - (Classic pop) - Performance Pavilion
3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.: Live Music: Jimmie Highsmith (Blues, Jazz and R&B) - Tent Stage
4:00 p.m.: Sand Sculpture Contest Awards - Tent stage
5:30 -7:00 p.m.: Live Music: Darryl Parker (Jazz) - Tent Stage
7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.: Live Music: Me and the Boyz (Party Band) - Performance Pavilion
9:00 p.m.: Boat Parade of Lights - On the Genesee River **
Sunday, June 25
9:00 a.m. - Dusk: Sand Sculpture Display - Beach
10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.: Harborfest Volleyball Tournament - Beach
11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.: Food and Beverage vendors open
11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: Antique Fire Equipment Display
11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.: Arts, Crafts and Merchandise vendors
11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.: Community Organization and Business Exhibits
1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.: Historic Genesee-Charlotte Lighthouse open for tours
11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.: Marine Displays
1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., Historic Dentzel Carousel and Children’s Area open
2:00 p.m-4:00 p.m.: Buskers on the Boardwalk
1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.: Live Music: Bob Sneider (Jazz) - Tent Stage
3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.: Live Music: Robb Smith & Mike Gladstone (70’s-80’s pop) - Tent Stage
After 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday evening. All youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult 25 or older. Adults are limited to 2 unrelated youth per entry. All bags are subject to search.
**Go to https://www.ontariobeachentertainment.org/harborfest-2/ for details
