August is a great time in Rochester to be a foodie, with the harvest in full swing. The calendar is full of festivals, food truck rodeos, outdoor events and other food-focused happenings.
Here’s a rundown of some of the more noteworthy events coming up in August. These are listed in chronological order; if the events are held on multiple dates, they are listed on the first date of the series.
Pan Afrikan Festival
The Pan Afrikan Festival (formerly Afrikan American Festival) will celebrate the heritage and culture of all people from the Afrikan Diaspora from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug 1. at the Highland Bowl. It will include live music, dance, art, spoken word, educational literature and children’s activities. Vendors will include food vendors and a beer/wine tent. panaffestival.org.
Midday Bash
A Midday Bash will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 5. These lunchtime outdoor events include food trucks, live music, massage chairs, games, giveaways and more. Free admission. Food truck schedule is posted at rochesterdowntown.com.
FGAS German Festival
The 121st FGAS German Festival will be held 5 to 11 p.m. Aug. 7 at 75 S. Union St. in Spencerport. Monroe County’s longest running cultural festival will feature German food, German beer, German dancing and German music. rochestergerman.org.
ZooBrew
Wander The Seneca Park Zoo after hours from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Aug. 7 at 2222 St. Paul St. Purchase beer, cider, hard seltzer and n/a options to sip as you visit the animals. Meet animal ambassadors and learn about the animals who live at the zoo during keeper chats throughout the night. Each event has three live music locations. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the gate; a season pass is $50. VIP admission is $60 which includes special parking and 2 drink tickets. Parking is free. 21 and up only. senecaparkzoo.org.
Polish Arts Festival
Polish Arts Festival: Aug. 7 and 8 at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, 1124 Hudson Ave. Polish food and beer; live music; pisanki egg presentations; pottery and art vendors; kids activities; raffles. Hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Facebook.
Avon Rotary Corn Festival
Avon Rotary Corn Festival: 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Aug. 8 on Genesee Street in the village of Avon, Livingston County. Food offerings including fresh corn on the cob, salt potatoes and corn fritters; beer garden; corn eating contest; vendors and children’s events. Live music will culminate with a concert by the Skycoasters. avoncornfest.com.
Brockport Arts Festival
The Brockport Arts Festival will celebrate its 30th year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 8 and 9 on Main Street in Brockport. Live music, artists, food vendors, wine garden and more. brockportny.gov.
Victor Music & Food Festival
The Village of Victor will host the Victor Music & Food Festival from 4 to 10 p.m. Aug. 8 in downtown Victor. Live music, food offerings, food trucks, craft beverages, live music and artists. Park at Firemen’s Field (Maple St. just south of Adams St.), all municipal lots, and Main Street. Bring a camp chair. Free admission. victormusicfoodfestival.com.
Rochester Night Market
Rochester Night Markets will be held Aug. 11 and 25. These flea markets are held from 6 to 10 p.m. every other Tuesday at 18 Flint St. More than 70 vendors sell handmade items, vintage finds and delicious food from local trucks. rochesternightmarket.com.
Luncheons at Hurd Orchards
Hurd Orchards,17260 West Ridge Road in Holley, will host a series of themed luncheons from mid to late August, each one with a different seasonal theme. They are hosted in the orchard’s 1800s English threshing barn decked out with gorgeous floral displays, the tables adorned with linens and the meals presented on antique China and silverware. They will be held Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays beginning Aug. 13. The cost is 64.75 each and they sell out quickly. hurdorchards.myshopify.com.
The Hoochenanny Whiskey & Music Festival
The Hoochenanny Whiskey & Music Festival will be held Aug. 14 through 16 at Center Park West, 1100 Ayrault Road in Perinton. The festival celebrates celebrate whiskey, music and craft beverages. The featured acts include:
Find more details and pricing at Hoochenanny.com.
Gone to the Dogs
Visit up to 13 Seneca Lake wineries with your dog from Aug. 21 to 28 for wine tasting and dog biscuits, hosted by the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. The price is $50 including taxes and fees. Some wineries require reservations. senecalakewine.com.
Flour City Brewers Fest
Flour City Brewers Fest will be held 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21 at the Rochester Public Market. It will feature craft beer, wine, cider, non-alcoholic beverages, food, games, live music and more. You must be 21 and up to attend. Find ticket information at flourcitybrewersfest.com.
Barry’s Irish Festival
Barry’s Irish Festival will be held 4 to 9 p.m. Aug. 21 and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 22 at Webster Fireman’s Field in Webster. Hosted by Barry’s Old School Irish, the event features live Irish music, kids activities, food trucks, Irish beers, lawn games, a bartender battle, raffles vendors, kilt wearing contest, Irish dancers, bagpipers and more. Admission is $23.18 at eventbrite.com.
Cake Fest
The second Cake Fest ROC will take place from noon to 3 p.m. under the purple arches at Highland Park in Rochester. Guests are encouraged to dress in their finest garden party attire and bring their favorite dessert to share. Local vendors will be on hand for shopping and photo opportunities will be available. It is hosted by Alexxis Ellison, owner of Baby Cakes Bakery. Tickets start at $35 at cakefestroc.com.
Rochester VegFest
Rochester VegFest will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 23 on Parcel 5, 285 E. Main St. downtown. The free outdoor festival devoted to plant-based living will have a lineup of speakers, cooking demos, local vendors, music, movement and activities. rocvegfestny.org.
Food truck rodeo
The Rochester Public Market will host its monthly food truck rodeo on August 26, with live music from Earthtones. Food truck rodeos are held from 5 to 9 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month at the Rochester Public Market, 280 N. Union St. Find more information at cityofrochester.gov.
Tapas in the Vineyard
Deer Run Winery, 3772 W, Lake Road in Geneseo, will host its annual Tapas in the Vineyard experience on Aug. 27. Guests will enjoy five wine and food pairings while strolling to tasting stations located throughout the vineyard and winery grounds. Choose an arrival time between 6 and 8 p.m. Tickets, $79 per person, are on sale. Advance purchase is required. deerrunwinery.com.
To submit an event for consideration for future stories, email Tracy Schuhmacher at TracyS@Gannett.com during the month prior to your event.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: 18 food and drink events around the Rochester area in August | Exclusive
Reporting by Tracy Schuhmacher, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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By Tracy Schuhmacher, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | USA TODAY Network
