The Avon Park dam formed a popular swimming hole. The dam and bridge were dismantled in the 1980s. (From the Archives of the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm) Eighty-five years ago this summer, Rochester residents dedicated a new recreation spot on Paint Creek. Built on the site of a bankrupt dairy farm and a long-abandoned millrace, Avon Park—now Rochester Municipal Park—quickly became a favorite place for area residents to swim, picnic, and play. The property on which Rochester … [Read more...]
Paint Creek Center for the Arts Presents the 54th Art & Apples Festival
August 28, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Award-Winning Festival will Host a Diverse Roster of more than 250 Juried Artists, Musical Performances, Food Vendors, and Offer Activities for the Family Art & Apples Festival, produced by Paint Creek Center for the Arts (PCCA) as its largest annual fundraiser, returns to transform the 30-acre Rochester Municipal Park (400 Sixth St.) on September 6-8, into one of the nation’s top juried fine art fairs. This year, more than 250 exhibiting artists from across the country have been selected … [Read more...]
Family Praise and Picnic in the Park
August 23, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Family Praise and Picnic in the Park returns on Sunday, August 25, beginning at 11:00 a.m. in beautiful Rochester Municipal Park. Bring your blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a family friendly outdoor Worship and Picnic event featuring uplifting music and a message of hope for families and the community. A free Picnic Lunch, Ice Cream Social and fun-filled games, activities, and entertainment for all ages will follow. A Health/Wellness Fair includes blood pressure screenings and fitness … [Read more...]
Inaugural Rochester Hometown Picnic & Pies
May 15, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Rochester Announces New Community Event The City of Rochester is proud to announce the Inaugural Rochester Hometown Picnic & Pies on Saturday, June 15, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Rochester Municipal Park. Grab the family, pack your picnic basket and join us for an afternoon of old-school community fun. Activities include a bike parade, picnic games, Big Rig Gig, live entertainment, plus a pie-baking contest & tasting. “Rochester Hometown Picnic & Pies was born from the love … [Read more...]
Family Praise and Picnic in the Park
August 26, 2018 by Leave a Comment
The Rochester community is invited to the twentieth annual “Family Praise and Picnic in the Park” celebration on Sunday, August 26, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Band Shell in beautiful Rochester Municipal Park. Bring your blanket or lawn chair and enjoy St. John Lutheran's family friendly outdoor Worship and Picnic event featuring uplifting music and a message of hope for families and the community. A free Picnic Lunch, Ice Cream Social, games, activities, and entertainment for all ages … [Read more...]
Paint Creek Trail hosts 13th Annual Labor Day Bridge Walk & Run
August 14, 2018 by Leave a Comment
The Paint Creek Trailways Commission is organizing the 13th Annual Paint Creek Trail Labor Day Virtual Bridge Walk and Run on Monday, September 3, at the Rochester Municipal Park Kiwanis Pavilion. This event is part of the Labor Day Community Walks that are held throughout the state in conjunction with the Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Walk. Two options are being offered to participants – a 2-mile roundtrip walk to Tienken road, or a 10-K roundtrip walk or run to Silver Bell road on the Paint … [Read more...]
Family Praise and Picnic in the Park Celebrates 20 Years
August 6, 2018 by Leave a Comment
The Rochester community is invited to the twentieth annual “Family Praise and Picnic in the Park” celebration on Sunday, August 26, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Band Shell in beautiful Rochester Municipal Park. Bring your blanket or lawn chair and enjoy St. John Lutheran's family friendly outdoor Worship and Picnic event featuring uplifting music and a message of hope for families and the community. A free Picnic Lunch, Ice Cream Social, games, activities, and entertainment for all ages … [Read more...]
Paint Creek Center for the Arts Announces 53rd Art & Apples Festival
July 25, 2018 by Leave a Comment
53rd Art & Apples Festival Set for September 7-9 The Art & Apples Festival, the largest annual fundraiser for, and produced by, Paint Creek Center for the Arts (PCCA), returns to the Rochester Municipal Park (400 Sixth St.) in downtown Rochester September 7, 8 and 9. This year, PCCA is adding Blake’s Orchard cider and donuts, as well as new nationally-recognized artists to the signature event, which transforms the 30-acre park into one of the nation’s top fine art … [Read more...]
Rochester Area Jaycees host 3rd Annual 5K Fun Run
July 23, 2018 by Leave a Comment
5K Fun Run to be held in the Rochester Municipal Park on Saturday, August 18 to raise funds for special needs playground in Rochester area. The Rochester Area Jaycees will present the Chief Financial Credit Union Rally for Rochester 5K Fun Run in the Rochester Municipal Park on Saturday, August 18. All proceeds from the race will go directly towards the development of a safe and accessible playground for children with special needs in the community. The 3rd Annual Rally for Rochester 5K … [Read more...]
How Wilcox Street Was Named
May 22, 2018 by 2 Comments
Do you know the story behind the name of Rochester’s Wilcox Street? Early Avon Township settler Lyman J. Willcox and his son Elliot R. Willcox owned part of the land through which Wilcox Street now runs. According to an 1883 account in the Pontiac Gazette, Lyman Willcox left New York City with nothing but a rifle and a pack on his back and walked westward, traversing Ontario, and finally coming to Michigan. He stopped first in Troy Township and then settled in Avon Township in 1824, where … [Read more...]
