City Manager Katie Ambrose is pleased to announce that starting at 10:00 am on Friday, October 25, the City of Rochester will open the parking lot at the former Ben Franklin building, located at 60 Wakefield Street, to accommodate Halloween festivities organized by Rochester Main Street.
The refurbished lot, which includes night sky-compliant lighting and more than 100 parking spaces, will support parking needs for upcoming events and help with increased parking demand.
To ensure that spaces remain available for event attendees and other visitors, the Rochester Police Department will enforce ordinance #254-15, which restricts parking longer than 24 hours in city-owned lots. City Council will determine permanent parking enforcement regulations.
Downtown Events Include:
Downtown Trick-or-Treat and Zombie Walk – October 25, 4–6 pm and 7 pm
Families are invited to dress up and visit downtown businesses for trick-or-treating from 4-6 pm, followed by the Zombie Walk at 7 pm. Local dancers will lead a new parade route from the Citizen’s Bank parking lot, continuing down North Main Street, and concluding at Hanson & Central Street.
Halloween Spooktacular & Trunk-or-Treat – October 26, 11 am–3 pm
Rochester Main Street welcomes families for Halloween-themed activities, including a Trunk-or-Treat, with candy stations hosted by volunteers and local businesses. The band Middleman will perform live on Central Square.
- Spooky Doll Contest: Entrants are encouraged to bring their spookiest doll creations for a chance to win a $25 gift card to a downtown business of choice. Dolls can be dropped off from 10:30-11:45 am on October 26 and picked up after 4 pm.
Rochester Opera House Presents The Wizard of Oz – October 25-27
The Rochester Opera House invites audiences to experience The Wizard of Oz, a stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s classic story. Follow Dorothy and her beloved dog Toto from Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, where they meet iconic friends like the Scarecrow, Tinman, and Cowardly Lion. The performance includes songs from the original MGM film, such as Somewhere Over the Rainbow and We’re Off to See the Wizard.
- Friday, October 25, 2024 – 7:30 PM
- Saturday, October 26, 2024 – 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM
- Sunday, October 27, 2024 – 5:00 PM