Rochester, NY—December 22, 2021—The third annual City of Rochester Roc Holiday Village presented by Five Star Bank wrapped up 14 days of holiday magic Sunday with a farewell to Santa parade.
Approximately 100,000 people of all ages visited Roc Holiday Village in the heart of downtown Rochester at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Memorial Park.
“We’re grateful and honored by the support of our generous sponsors and the Rochester area community. Our goal was to create a safe and joyful event for the entire community to come out and celebrate the winter season,” said Jenna Knauf, Sean McCarthy, and Kelli Marsh, co-founders and producers of Roc Holiday Village.
“Not knowing what this transitional year would bring, we exceeded our expectations and our wishes of once again welcoming people who enjoy the village and make new holiday traditions with their loved ones came true. From ice skating to holiday shopping in the village, to visiting Santa, and meeting friends in The Lodge, it was wonderful to see that the holiday spirit is still all around us.”
Details on Roc Holiday Village 2022 will be announced next summer.
Roc Holiday Village 2021 Highlights Included:
- Free ice skating and rentals sponsored by Wegmans drew tens of thousands of people of all ages
- The Igloo Village presented by Rochester Regional Health had seven Cozy Igloos available for private parties and events for up to eight people each, and 2 Igloo Inns, one for up to 30 people and one for up to 40 people. Each geodesic dome-covered lounge has a view of the Village, is furnished with stylish and cozy chairs, blankets, and pillows and offers bar service. Igloos sold out in 10 minutes.
- Visits with Santa in the T-Mobile Gingerbread House with free photos and cookies compliments of Wegmans
- Kazoos sold to benefit Camp Good Days and Special Times raised over $4,100
- Free crafts for kids held every day in the T-Mobile Gingerbread House
- A shopping village featured more than 26 local merchandise, food and drink vendors who did a bustling business
- Two Mini Makers Market days presented goods for sale from 30 local vendors
- Expanded outdoor seating presented by GreaterROC with more fire pits, space heaters, and outdoor beverage service for those who didn’t want to go into The Lodge
- Free ice rink activities including hockey competition hosted by the Ryan Callahan Foundation, character skate meet and greet presented by Royal Promise Productions and sled hockey presented by the Rochester Sled Hawks
- Holiday Celebrations presented by the Rochester Area Community Foundation including Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Three Kings’ Day and Christmas
- Free live music on the Buckingham Properties Stage every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening and carolers outside around the village
- Bar karaoke with two live bands, Up2Somethin’ and Me & The Boyz on Wednesday evenings
- Three pop-up restaurants did brisk business in The Anthony Butera Team at Keller Williams and Triple-O Lodge – Nancy’s Sweets & Eats, Marty’s Meats and The Hideaway
- Food trucks on Court St. including Cookie Coma, FLX BBQ, Marty’s Meats, Marty’s Birdland, Morgan’s Cereal, Rob’s Kabobs, Rob’s Al Dente, Rustic Taco Bar and Wraps on Wheels
- Nativity and Petting Zoo presented by Swan Tile and Marsh Construction with additional petting zoo days
- Luxury restroom trailer near Court Street
About Roc Holiday Village
The City of Rochester Roc Holiday Village presented by Five Star Bank is Rochester, New York’s premier annual holiday festival bringing magic downtown for people of all ages. Roc Holiday Village was launched in 2018 and is owned and produced by Rochester natives Jenna Manetta-Knauf, owner of Bella Events Group; Kelli Marsh, owner of Kelli Marsh Photography; and Sean McCarthy, owner of McCarthy Tents & Events. In its second year in 2019, Roc Holiday Village presented 14 days of enchanting festivities and drew more than 125,000 people of all ages to the heart of downtown Rochester at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Memorial Park for skating, shopping, live music, visits with Santa, crafts, pop-up restaurants and bar, private igloo tents, and more. In 2020, organizers announced that the festival could not be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic and New York State’s guidelines that restricted large gatherings.
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