Inaugural Flower Fest Lights Up High Falls to Celebrate 50 Years of the Iconic City Mark

The High Falls District was flooded with community pride and creative energy over the weekend as the City of Rochester hosted the first-ever Flower Fest, a special evening celebration marking the historic 50th anniversary of Rochester's iconic Flower City Mark.

The free, open-air festival drew thousands of residents and families to the Pont de Rennes Bridge corridor. Attendees spent the evening browsing art displays and purchasing handmade goods from a wide lineup of local vendors and makers, while enjoying live musical performances by regional acts Flying Object and The Buddhahood. The festival grounds also featured continuous public screenings of a new documentary film at the Rochester Water Works on Brown's Race, which explored the 1970s origins, design evolution, and lasting cultural impact of the simple floral emblem that has represented Rochester's identity for half a century.

The celebration concluded late in the evening with a spectacular, choreographed drone light show. The synchronized aerial display took flight over the Genesee River gorge, lighting up the night sky with large, multi-colored animations of the Flower City logo and creating a unique visual experience visible from multiple viewing points, including Austin Steward Plaza and the Sister Cities Pedestrian Bridge. Municipal leaders and event organizers praised the high turnout, noting that the landmark event successfully showcased city creativity while reinforcing a shared sense of community belonging in the heart of downtown.