[music] [music] >> Welcome back to Rochester Voices. My name's Kim Norton. I'm mayor of the city of Rochester, and we're really happy to have you join us today. Um we are going to talk about something that is a tradition here in Rochester, which is Rochester Fest. Um it's an annual community uh celebration that we do in June each year, and we're going to hear a little bit about that and America's the America 250 family-friendly bike ride, um which is something the mayor's office is offering this year uh at Rochester Fest. So, I'm going to introduce uh a couple gentlemen that are going to share some information. So, we have um the executive director of Rochester Fest, Randy Stalker, and We Bike Rochester's board chair, Aaron Meade. And so, we'll uh have the two of them answer some questions, tell us a little bit about it, and we'll start with you, Randy. Maybe you can talk a little bit about what is Rochester Fest and what can we expect this year? >> Uh Rochester Fest been around for 43 years, started by a mayor way back 43 years ago. It's uh happened every single year. A lot of tradition, a lot of people come look forward to it every year. Uh this year it is the uh fourth week of June, June 23rd to the 27th. We have 11 live bands coming, real excited. Um bringing in a Beatles tribute band Tuesday night. And then we're going to end the event with uh tribute to the troops. With the 250th birthday of America, we want to honor the veterans and the first responders. Okay? We have a lot of children's activities, more than more than normal. So, that brings the families out and the kids out. So, we've got four bounce houses. We have our annual treasure hunt, which people get so excited about. And people starting to follow me around in my car to see where I'm hiding the hiding the treasure out here, so >> You're being stalked. >> I'm getting stalked. Um bringing the magical afternoon party back. That's where dress with the princesses and that's on Thursday afternoon. That's been around for 8 to 10 years. Little girls and little boys love that. Um, uh, Kids Adventure Quest sponsored by uh, Home Depot come back. They have about 400 kids. They put models together. Um, just a lot of fun and then this year we're bringing what's called a Nerf War event. So, the Saturday after the parade we're going to have 15 blockades around the West Westfield there. Got 250 Nerf guns. We're going to let people have some contest and shoot each other and just have have a lot of fun out there. So, >> And so this event takes place at Soldiers Field Park. >> Yep. >> Um, which makes uh, the uh, recognition of America's 250th and Veterans >> Absolutely. >> very easy to do because of course we have our memorials in Soldiers Field Park. Thus the name. >> Yeah. >> And um, so can you tell me like what's your favorite event? What you you've been doing this for a couple years now as a director? What's your favorite part of it? Where do you see the most excitement? Maybe those are two different place two different things. >> No, but for the kids it's a dream bubble dance party. >> That's what I remember. >> Right after the parade we have two big trucks shooting bubbles in the air and we have hundreds and hundreds of kids playing in the bubbles. Just have big kids, too. >> [laughter] >> We'll see you there, Eric. >> Yeah, see you there. So, that's always fun and that goes about about 3 hours on Saturday. And then for the adults it's the live music. People love to come to see Fabulous play or um, bring in the VGs, a BG tribute band this year. Be a lot of fun. >> Well, with my age the Beatles uh, sound good so I'm I'm looking forward [laughter] to that. >> Me, too. And then this year we're uh, we're having a Carol Brown Day. I don't know if you know Carol, but she ran and Rochester Fest for 24 years. So, we got a Carol Brown tribute coming up that Thursday afternoon. We're renaming the stage the Carol Brown stage, so everybody that walks on the stage is on the Carol Brown stage. It's just a nice tribute to an amazing lady. >> That's great. >> That brought Rochester Fest and kept it going for a long time. >> That's great. Well, thanks for sharing that. I will say um and I'll ask a question at the very end and you can add the the things you haven't gotten to yet before we wrap up. But I you know, this year on Saturday, June 27th, um the mayor's sponsoring with our partners at Bike MN and We Bike uh Rochester uh a a bike decorating event and a bike parade in support of America's 250th. So, we're making it family-friendly. The decorations, of course, will be for the kids um and so we'll invite them to come at 10:30 in the morning to decorate their bikes and then we'll do uh a bike parade and uh that'll it'll start at the Edison building Rochester Fest has helped us with that starting place and We Bike's going to um support us throughout this event. So, can you talk a little bit? I think people aren't even familiar with what We Bike Rochester is. Could you talk about that a little? >> Absolutely. So, first um [clears throat] We Bike Rochester, you know, we're not just about bikes. Um we really support and advocate for uh safe and fun uh mode of transportation at a human scale, whether you're walking, biking, or rolling. Um and so, you know, a lot of this right talking about the bike parade is about the fun part. Um getting out and taking over the street together and just being in the celebration. So, yeah, we're very excited to be partnering with that. >> And We Bike also um does advocacy on, as you say, pedestrian and bike friendly communities. Um seen membership on on and at our city's bike ped committee where you know we try to create a community where no matter how you get places you can get there safely and we bike has been an advocate and part of that for years. Do you have any thoughts about um how people or advice for people if they're going to come to the bike parade. We're going to have it on the parade route that we use later for the parade and it's and also for the runners because there's a runners event that takes off from that exact it's going to be a very busy road and we'll have security out there and the roads will be blocked for everyone but could you talk a little bit about should someone who doesn't bike regularly be nervous about this or or what might they thing that comes to mind, what might they be sure they bring with them besides a bike when they come to this event? >> Um certainly bring water. It's always a good thing to have uh when you're doing any sort of activity. And you know for getting there um if you're biking uh there are the we have a great bike trail system in Rochester. >> Mhm. >> Coming from both the I guess it would be the um east side um of the river and coming from the south you could get to Soldiers Field on those bike trails without biking on roads. So highly recommend doing that. >> That's a great idea. So don't just put your bike in a car and come downtown. Ride your bike to the park and participate in the parade while you're there. And I and I also um we've talked a little bit about safety. So is there something you might recommend folks bring with them? >> Bring a helmet. >> Bring a helmet. Thank you. >> And I believe for the um kids we should have some helmets there as well um for anybody who needs it. >> Yeah. If someone doesn't have one and but we highly recommend for personal safety um to wear a helmet when you're there. Um and you know one of the things I think Rochester Fest and the activities that we're going to be doing um with the bike parade are ways to build community. And I think that's one of the things that both We Bike works on. You you've built a community of people who bike and hold events. Rochester Fest is that annual celebration of the city of Rochester, who we are, you know, brings that little bit of as you say 43 years worth of history. Um I noticed you're wearing your button. I have mine on my bag across the room and I don't have it on right now. Um So, do you have any final thoughts about what you want people to know about Rochester Fest and um and then Aaron, maybe you can just think of, you know, something you might want to add if you want. >> of all, we're going to encourage people to bike to Rochester Fest this year, not just for Saturday. We're going to have some extra bike bike racks there from the park district, so it's easier to bike and park and have fun. >> Good idea. >> And then I thought this uh our theme is one nation, many stories. So, Rochester Fest is not just about you and me. It's about all nationalities, all people, all ages, all disabilities, all all that everything. Come on down. We have fun things for for everybody that's going to be there. And let's celebrate our 250th anniversary of America as a Rochester family. >> Absolutely. I love it. And Aaron, any closing thoughts? >> Yeah, um I think one of the things, you know, getting into, not just the fun but the advocacy side of this, is um some of the people who are most affected by um our streets that are public space being so um owned and taken over by cars, is children. Um and so to have them be able to play and celebrate and be in the streets, I think is a powerful image to how we can make transportation and independence for children um throughout the city. >> And I would just say both of our speakers today really talk about how important it is to build community and build a city with activities for everyone from every age from 8 months. We talk about 8 to 80 and it used to be 8 8 years to 80 years. I say 8 months to 80 years. Let's build a community that's safe and fun for everyone. So, thank you for joining us. I hope to see you at Rochester Fest June >> 23rd to 27th. >> 23rd to 27th and we'll see you next time on Rochester Voices. >> [music]