HomeArts & CultureRochester Opera House to Keep Free Comic Book Day Alive

Rochester Opera House to Keep Free Comic Book Day Alive

Published on

The Rochester Opera House is stepping up to ensure the continuation of Free Comic Book Day in downtown Rochester, preserving a beloved community tradition and economic driver for local businesses.

Jetpack Comics & Games recently announced that the 2024 Free Comic Book Day would be the last event they host downtown after 18 years. In response, Ralph DiBernardo, owner of Jetpack Comics, and Anthony Ejarque, Executive Producer of the Rochester Opera House, began discussing how the event could transition to a new home. The Opera House, known for its successful community events such as PorchFest, decided to take the lead.

Jenry Towle, Director of Education and Associate Artistic Director of the Opera House, will 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, as part of a nationwide celebration, offering free comics to visitors at participating comic shops. The downtown Rochester event, originally started by DiBernardo, has grown into a citywide celebration featuring multiple comic locations, discounts at businesses, a costume contest, and an artist alley. The Opera House plans to expand the festivities with live entertainment and partnerships with educational organizations to promote literacy and visual arts through the comic medium.

Reflecting on the transition, DiBernardo 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 about how to participate will be available on the 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.

Latest Posts

Rochester Public Library Hosts All Abilities Club for Inclusive Community Fun

The Rochester Public Library is pleased to host the All Abilities Club, an inclusive...

Multi-Agency Fugitive Task Force Arrests Three at Rochester Residence Linked to Drug Activity

On the morning of January 31, members of the United States Marshals Service (USMS),...

Watch: Police Commission – 2/05/25

Click here to watch Public Meetings are broadcast live on Comcast Channel 22 and Breezeline...

Don’t Get Towed: City of Rochester Reminds Residents of Winter Parking Restrictions

The City of Rochester is reminding residents and visitors to follow all winter parking...

More like this

Multi-Agency Fugitive Task Force Arrests Three at Rochester Residence Linked to Drug Activity

On the morning of January 31, members of the United States Marshals Service (USMS),...

Watch: Police Commission – 2/05/25

Click here to watch Public Meetings are broadcast live on Comcast Channel 22 and Breezeline...

Don’t Get Towed: City of Rochester Reminds Residents of Winter Parking Restrictions

The City of Rochester is reminding residents and visitors to follow all winter parking...