The Rochester Opera House is taking up the mantle of Free Comic Book Day in downtown Rochester, ensuring this beloved community event continues as an annual tradition.
Jetpack Comics & Games recently announced that the 2024 Free Comic Book Day would be the last one held in downtown Rochester after 18 years. Following the announcement, longtime friends and local business owners Ralph DiBernardino (Owner, Jetpack Comics) and Anthony Ejarque (Executive Producer, Rochester Opera House) began discussing how the event could transition to the Opera House, which already facilitates successful community events such as the PorchFest music festival.
Recognizing Free Comic Book Day as both a cherished tradition and an economic driver for downtown businesses each spring, the Opera House decided to take action.
Jenry Towle, the Director of Education and Associate Artistic Director of the Rochester Opera House, will now oversee the weekend-long celebration. “We are thrilled that the Opera House can keep this tradition alive in downtown Rochester! I look forward to continuing to partner with so many businesses, artists, and local organizations,” Towle said. “Having Ralph’s vast wealth of knowledge as a resource, alongside the support of Anthony and our Board, makes me even more excited to ‘nerd out’ this spring.”
Free Comic Book Day will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025, across the region and country, offering free comics to visitors at participating comic shops. The downtown Rochester event, originally started by Ralph DiBernardino at Jetpack Comics & Games, has grown into a citywide celebration featuring multiple comic locations, discounts at businesses, a costume contest, and an artist alley. The Rochester Opera House plans to expand the festivities by including live entertainment and partnering with educational organizations to promote literacy and visual arts through the comic medium.
Reflecting on the transition, Ralph DiBernardino said, “Director Anthony Ejarque and his team continually bring new and refreshed culture to the City of Rochester. I am excited and honored to have Rochester’s premier entertainment and arts organization take the reins for the world’s largest Free Comic Book Day event.”
The Rochester Opera House will soon be seeking sponsors, vendors, artists, and volunteers for the event. More information on how to participate in Free Comic Book Day in downtown Rochester will be available on the Rochester Opera House website.
The Rochester Opera House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to educate, engage, empower, challenge, and inspire a community of all ages by presenting extraordinary and culturally diverse theatre, performance art, music, dance, and film on the city’s foremost performing arts stage.
For More Information, visit www.rochesteroperahouse.com.