Tucked into some of Rochester’s older residential neighborhoods are a few ordinary-looking homes and buildings that are unlikely to attract special notice from passersby. But in days gone by, these places were hubs of local activity known as neighborhood grocery stores. Sarah Van Hoosen Jones serves customers at her farm store, At the Sign of the Black and White Cow (Courtesy of the Archives of the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm). In the middle decades of the twentieth century, … [Read more...]
The Return of the Art & Apples Festival is this Weekend
September 7, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Award-winning Rochester festival returns after one-year hiatus with more than 200 juried artists from across the country. The Art & Apples Festival -- produced by Paint Creek Center for the Arts (PCCA) -- returns this year to Rochester Municipal Park on its traditional “weekend after Labor Day” dates, Friday through Sunday, September 10-12. The festival is open from 2:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday. “With performances … [Read more...]
Win a Day Trip to the Spa with the Color of Wellness 5K Fun Run
August 7, 2021 by Leave a Comment
The Color of Wellness 5K Fun Run is a fun, family event that will benefit New Day Foundation for Families. Enjoy a morning of fun and fitness Saturday, August 28 at 7:30 a.m. at Rochester Municipal Park, 400 6th Street - or join virtually from your own favorite walk/run route. Both experienced runners and first timers will enjoy the 5K Fun Run, featuring chip timing for runners of all ability levels, and the choice of wave start time. Registration for the Color of Wellness 5K is $30 … [Read more...]
Poetry in the Park 2021
July 14, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Friday July 16 at the Rochester Municipal Park Rochester Poetry Society presents this year’s event on Friday, July 16, at 7:00 p.m. at the Kiwanis Pavilion in the Rochester Municipal Park. A tribute to the late James Ahearn, local writer and former Rochester Poet Laureate, will begin the evening followed by five poets reading for about 10-minutes each. The last scheduled reader will be Robert Lytle, the current Rochester Poet Laureate. Open mic will be available—time … [Read more...]
Rochester Municipal Park Has Been the Place to Play for 85 Years
August 28, 2020 by 15 Comments
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...]
