UPCOMING EVENTS

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37 ANNUAL LAKESIDE

WINTERFEST & POLAR PLUNGE RETURNS

Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 and Sunday,  Feb 9, 2020

 

The City of Rochester along with the all-volunteer Ontario Beach Park Program Committee are inviting local chili masters to vie for the prestigious title of “Best Chili in Rochester”.  The cook-off will be held 12 Noon – 4:00 pm, Saturday, February 8th in a huge, heated tent adjacent to the Roger Robach Community Center at Ontario Beach Park, as part of the 37th Annual Lakeshore Winter Celebration.  Entries mush be submitted by Feb. 1.  No entry fee is required.

This popular competition attracts contestants from well-known local restaurants, caterers and food service operators who volunteer their time to cook and serve over 8,000 samplings of chili.  Non-profit groups and individuals may also compete, but they must have access to a commercial kitchen and obtain a Temporary Food Service Permit from the Monroe County Health Department.

Cash prizes and trophies are awarded in both the professional and amateur divisions as well as the prestigious “People’s Choice” category.  Contestants are encourage to use their creativity in both ingredients and their presentations to add variety and space to the challenge.

The Organizers are also seeking Wineries, Craft Breweries and other winter themed vendors to be part of the event.  This is usually the largest tasting event of the winter season.

The Lakeside Winter Celebration is presented by the Ontario Beach Park Program Committee with sponsorship from Wegmans, Monroe County and the City of Rochester.

CALL 428-6135 FOR DETAILS AND AN ENTRY FORM FOR THE CHILLY CHILI CHALLENGE, WINERIES AND CRAFT BREWERIES GO TO MattJuda@gmail.com

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2020

STARTING @ NOON:

The weekend kicks off at noon Saturday with an array of family friendly winter activities. (Note: location change, most activities will take place in and adjacent to the Roger Robach Community Center and in Ontario Beach Park)
A huge, heated tent will be home to the perennial festival favorites the Chilly Chili Challenge and the Lake Ontario Wine and Craft Beer festival as well as other vendors, food options and entertainment by the Neil Van Dorn band.

 

 

Outdoors enjoy an ice carving demonstration or enter the highly contested snow sculpture contest with cash prizes to winners in three categories, youth 12 and under, adults and groups and families. Other activities include horse drawn wagon rides, dog sled demos, fun games and contests organized by the City of Rochester, Rec On the Move staff and a” fat” tire winter fun bike ride (some bikes will be available for loan) or just take in the splendor of Lake Ontario in the winter.

6:00 PM:

The action shifts to the Port of Rochester, William A. Johnson Jr. Port Terminals Snuggle into one of the terminal’s numerous eateries and enjoy and snack and a drink as you marvel at a GITANTIC WINTER FIREWORKS DISPLY over the river at 6:15 pm.  Afterwards explore the Charlotte’s local bar and restaurant scene and catch up with friends you haven’t seen since summer.

These events are organized by the all-volunteer Ontario Beach Park Program Committee and sponsored by the City of Rochester, Monroe County, Merchants Charlotte Community Association, CITY Newspaper and Wegmans.

 

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

 

8:30 AM  to 2:00 PM:

FREE off-site parking and shuttle service is available for all plungers and spectators.  Shuttles from the Greece Arcadia High School parking lot, 120 Island Cottage Rd. to the Polar Plunge will be available.  Participants and spectators are strongly urged to take advantage of this transportation option as parking at the Port is limited.

9:00 AM to 11:30 AM:  Registration

NOON:  Polar Plunge Begins

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PRE-REGISTER, VISIT:  www.polarplunge.net or call (585) 586-7400 ext. 109.

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THE 2020 BIG BIG BAND SCHEDULE

COMING SOON

THE 2020 CONCERTS BY THE SHORE IS ON THIS SITE

COMING SOON

 

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PAST EVENTS

34th Annual Lakeside Winter Celebration

Saturday, February 9, 2019 

The 25^th Annual Chilly Chili Challenge – February 9, 2019

The Ontario Beach Park Program Committee represented by Fred Amato, OBPPC Secretary and Terry McEntree, presented plaques & case prizes for the winners:

PROFESSIONAL:

1^ST Place:  Hose 22 Firehouse Grill-Nikol Ristuccia’s Team

 

 

2^nd Place:  University of Rochester’s Harvest Table Catering-Ryan Dalton, Executive Chef

 

AMATEUR:

1^st Place:  The Frederick Douglass R-Center

 

 

2^nd Place:  Monroe County BOCES-Chief Mirabella

 

 

 

OTHER PARTICIPANTS:

• Lakeside Haven Family Restaurant
• Village at Unity

THE PEOPLES CHOICE:

The University of Rochester’s Harvest Table Catering-Ryan Dalton, Executive Chef

 

 

Thanks to Tracy Gugel and Fred Amato for the  photos of the event.

 

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Sunday, February 10, 2019

 

 

 

More than 2,000 winter enthusiasts dove into the icy waters of Lake Ontario to benefit the Special Olympics.

These events are organized by the all-volunteer Ontario Beach Park Program Committee and sponsored by the City of Rochester and Monroe County.