Rochesterfest Could Move to Central Park

The Rochester Park Board is being asked to approve a new location for next summer’s Rochesterfest celebration.

Organizers of the annual community-wide festival are seeking permission to relocate the main site for the weeklong event to Central Park. For over a decade, Rochesterfest had been headquartered on Civic Center Drive in front of the Mayo Civic Center, but the upcoming expansion and renovation of that facility will require Rochesterfest to relocate next year.

The Park Department staff has identified Central Park as a good location, but the Mayo Clinic has expressed opposition because of the potential impacts from congestion, noise and unwanted traffic into nearby Mayo facilities. Despite those concerns, city staff has worked with Rochesterfest organizers to develop a layout for the event that they believe will make the impact manageable for the one week run of the festival.

If the Park Board approves the relocation plan, staff is recommending it would be on a two-year trial basis.

The issue will be discussed by the Park Board at its regular meeting on Tuesday.
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