SEPTEMBER 26-28, 2025
In 2025, Roc the Riverway has been moved to late September to coincide with the Erie Canal bicentennial events and celebrations!
Every autumn, the Ontario Beach Park Program Committee supports the City of Rochester’s Genesee River-focused festival. Roc the Riverway is an annual autumn weekend chock full of family-friendly activities and events that inform and inspire through up-close experiences with the legendary Genesee. Many of the offerings are free.
Because the Genesee completes its legendary course at Lake Ontario in Ontario Beach Park, no Roc the Riverway Weekend is complete without events and activities at the lakeshore.
Here’s the 2025 lineup for the Ontario Beach Park Program Committee’s Roc the Riverway events and activities–happening on Sunday, September 28:
Autumn at the Lake
Part of Roc the Riverway Weekend
Sunday, September 28 / 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.
- Horse-drawn hayrides around Ontario Beach Park
- Professional pumpkin carving demonstrations from nationally renowned, award-winning carver and sculptor Eric Jones (and enter a drawing to take one of his masterpieces home!)
- Decorate and take home your own pumpkin (fee)
- Ride the historic 1905 Dentzel Menagerie Carousel
- Enjoy delicious food & beverage including lobster rolls from Cousins Maine Lobster food truck and donuts, cider and other treats from Lake Ontario Winery and Cider Mill
- Score treasures from craft and merchandise vendors
- Get faces painted and balloon art from Grease Paint Alley Clowns
- Marvel at near century-old cars displayed by the Lakeshore Model-A Ford Club
- Tap your toes to live music from the legendary folk singer John Dady
- Take a fascinating guided historical walking tour of the City’s Charlotte lakeshore district (tours start at the Charlotte Genesee Lighthouse)
- Meet and greet wildlife brought by the Wildlife Rockstars (an initiative of Bridges for Brain Injuries)
These Autumn at the Lake events and activities are presented by the City of Rochester, Monroe County and the Ontario Beach Park Program Committee.
Roc the Riverway Weekend is part of the City of Rochester’s investments all along its Genesee River waterfront
Roc the Riverway Weekend is part of the City’s massive ongoing investment in its riverfront. At the link and video here, learn about the grand plans for restoring our Genesee all through the City! Several exciting projects have already been completed; many others are in the works.