Meet a few of the folks behind Rochester’s budget! Our budget team will be at community events this fall, listening to your ideas and input for next year’s budget. First stop: ROC The Block at Parcel 5 tomorrow. Stop by and say hello! Learn more: cityofrochester.gov/budget

Our final Food Truck Rodeo of the year is tomorrow night at the Public Market! Come hungry, enjoy live music, and celebrate one last rodeo of 2025 with Rochester’s favorite food trucks. Learn more: cityofrochester.gov/foodtruckrodeo

Looking for your next opportunity? Join us tomorrow at Parcel 5 for the ROC the Block Community Employment Fair! Connect with local employers, explore career resources, and take your next step forward. Learn more: cityofrochester.gov/workforcedevelopment

Shanah Tovah! Wishing all who celebrate a happy and healthy Rosh Hashanah

Exciting news for Rochester: A new partnership with Monroe County and Community Broadband Networks (CBN) is set to expand affordable, reliable high-speed internet to underserved neighborhoods. Learn more: monroecounty.gov/news-2025-09-22-broadband

Experience the magic of the Genesee! ROC the Riverway Weekend returns this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with a fireworks show, boat rides, guided tours, and more along the waterway that built our city. Learn more: cityofrochester.gov/RTRW

What a festival! Thank you to everyone who made the 2025 Rochester Fringe Festival unforgettable — the performers, sponsors, and all of YOU who came out to celebrate the arts. Your energy and support keep this city’s creative spirit thriving. Until next year, Fringe family!

Hispanic Heritage Month continued Friday at City Hall’s Link Gallery with a vibrant new art exhibition celebrating Rochester’s Hispanic community. Learn more: cityofrochester.gov/HispanicHeritage

Cheers to 50 years of The Avenue Pub on Monroe Ave! For half a century, it’s been a safe and welcoming space for Rochester’s LGBTQ+ community. Thank you to everyone who has helped keep its doors open over the years, and here’s to many more!

It’s the final weekend of the Rochester Fringe Festival! Don’t miss your chance to catch bold performances, inspiring art, and unforgettable moments all across downtown. Learn more: rochesterfringe.com

Mayor Malik Evans welcomed the New York State Association for Affordable Housing to Rochester for their annual Upstate Conference. With our state, federal, nonprofit, and development partners, we’re building a city where every resident has access to safe, affordable homes.

Fresh art at the Public Market! We joined Friends of the Market & local artists today to unveil new banners celebrating flowers, food, music & community. Learn more: www.cityofrochester.gov/news/mayor-e...

Welcome to Rochester, Center City Courtyard! With 164 new downtown apartments that are sustainable and supportive, this project shows that affordable housing can be dignified, high-quality, and built to last.

Oktoberfest at the Public Market is this Friday! Join us 5-9 p.m. at the City of Rochester Public Market for the 3rd-annual Oktoberfest — a free, family-friendly celebration of autumn, German culture, food, music & more! Learn more: cityofrochester.gov/oktoberfest

Today is National Voter Registration Day! We’re proud to stand with the Monroe County Board of Elections to celebrate the power of every voice in shaping our future. Your participation strengthens our democracy.

Get ready, Rochester — the HBCU Football Classic is coming! This event brings football, music, and culture together for a weekend of celebration you will not want to miss. Get your tickets now and join the fun: fdhbcuclassic.com

SEAC’s Tools on Wheels mobile library is here! With more than 1,500 tools available to borrow, families can tackle projects, save money, improve homes, and help build stronger neighborhoods. Learn more: seactoolshed.org

RBTL has unveiled the newly restored rear entrance at the West Herr Performing Arts Center! This is part of a $65 million effort to revitalize the historic 1920s-era complex by 2030 — the building's 100th anniversary.

When federal changes threaten the safety net, Rochester stands together. Mayor Evans and the ROC Resilience Roundtable are calling on our community to Stand ROC Solid and support our most vulnerable neighbors. Learn more: cityofrochester.gov/StandROCSolid

Hey Rochester — we want your input on your budget! Fill out the online survey to help set priorities, find us at upcoming neighborhood events for in-person outreach, or join us for next month’s Telephone Town Hall. Learn more: cityofrochester.gov/budget

It is Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of Rochester and Monroe County! Join us for events all month long, from Sunday markets at the International Plaza to film nights at the Dryden Theatre and a community celebration at the Memorial Art Gallery. Learn more: cityofrochester.gov/HispanicHeritage

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month, Rochester! Join us in celebrating the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of our Hispanic and Latino communities. Explore events all month long: cityofrochester.gov/HispanicHeritage

Check out what happened in the City of Rochester this week.

Mayor Evans joined community partners at RMAPI’s 4th annual summit today to celebrate 10 years of progress in the fight against poverty. The theme, “No Turning Back,” reflects the progress we’ve made and the continued commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive Rochester.

We remember the lives lost, the families forever changed, and the heroes who answered the call on September 11, 2001. Today, Mayor Evans joined veterans, first responders & community leaders for the groundbreaking of a new 9/11 First Responders Memorial at Highland Park.

Fall Fest returns to Parcel 5 on September 27! Join us for an afternoon of free family-friendly festivities in Downtown Rochester. Learn more: cityofrochester.gov/events/fall-fest-2025

Sunday Football Block Party is back at East and Alexander! Join us Sunday from 12-6 p.m. for the Bills vs. Jets game on two giant outdoor screens. Enjoy food, music, merch, and family fun — all while supporting the Pirate Toy Fund. Learn more: rochesterevents.com/events/sunda...

R-Nopoly passed GO in downtown Rochester this weekend, bringing families together for games, music, food, and community fun at Parcel 5. Thanks to everyone who joined us to celebrate!

Check out what happened in the City of Rochester this week.

Today we celebrated the grand opening of the Connect Lab on Webster Avenue! This new collaborative workspace by Connected Communities will support entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and small businesses in the EMMA and Beechwood neighborhoods with the resources to grow and thrive.

Motorist advisory: The I-490 eastbound and westbound on-and-off-ramps at Culver Road will be closed from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 13, due to resurfacing work. Learn more: www.cityofrochester.gov/news/road-wo...

Rochester keeps growing! We joined the team at High End New York today to cut the ribbon on their new cannabis dispensary at Alexander and S. Clinton. High End focuses on community, equity, and education. Welcome to the neighborhood!

A message from Mayor Evans as a new school year begins: "Rochester students, parents, teachers, and staff … Have a great school year! Work hard, play hard, learn something new every day, and have fun!"

We celebrated the closing reception of the 2nd annual How We ROC: Rochester Through Our Lenses exhibition at City Hall’s Link Gallery. This year’s photographers showcased the beauty, diversity, and spirit of Rochester through their lenses. Learn more: cityofrochester.gov/HowWeRoc

The Pueblo Nuevo Street Improvement Project is complete, supporting housing and community growth! Learn more: cityofrochester.gov/news/pueblo-nuevo-street-improvement-project-completed-supporting-housing-and-community-growth

We joined RIT today to celebrate the grand opening of the newly renovated City Art Space in the Neighborhood of Play! This downtown gallery will showcase student creativity, host events, and connect our community through art and design year-round.

Mayor Evans announced new public safety initiatives to keep our kids and streets safe as the school year begins. Learn more: cityofrochester.gov/news/mayor-evans-public-safety-initiatives-include-focus-youth-and-traffic-safety-start-school-year

R-Nopoly is back! Join us this Saturday at Parcel 5 for free family fun, games, food trucks, vendors, and more. Don’t miss this community celebration in the heart of downtown! Learn more: cityofrochester.gov/r-nopoly

Happy Labor Day, Rochester! Today, we celebrate the hardworking people who keep our city moving forward. Thank you for all you do to make Rochester strong, vibrant, and full of possibility. Wishing everyone a safe and restful holiday!

Last night, we gathered at City Hall to celebrate the incredible life and legacy of Margaret “Midge” Thomas. At nearly 99 years young, Midge continues to inspire Rochester through her decades of community service, leadership, and love for our city.

We celebrated local employers today who support our community through City of Rochester, Monroe County, and RochesterWorks youth employment programs. These partnerships open doors, build skills, and prepare our young people to become the workforce of tomorrow. Learn more: rocsummeryouth.com

Check out the new Midge Thomas Community Garden at St. Joseph’s Park, honoring the life and legacy of Margaret “Midge” Thomas. She dedicated her life to uplifting Rochester — and this new garden is a living tribute to her legacy, bringing beauty, peace, and connection to all who visit.

Rochester’s 4th annual Dîner en Blanc brought “Blooming Elegance” to Austin Steward Plaza last night, as hundreds of guests dressed in white gathered for an unforgettable evening of food, music, and community.

We celebrated the start of three projects at Maplewood Park: The Nature Center, a new playground, and upgrades to the Genesee Riverway Trail. Learn more: cityofrochester.gov/news/mayor-evans-local-leaders-mark-start-maplewood-nature-center-projects-groundbreaking-ceremony

We came together today at the Rochester Community Sports Complex for the Office of Violence Prevention’s Back-to-School community event! Families received free school supplies, haircuts, food, sneakers, and resources to help kick off the school year strong.

Mayor Evans joined Monroe County Executive Bello and Moms Demand Action to proclaim SMART Week in Rochester and Monroe County. The Be SMART campaign raises awareness about secure gun storage to keep children and families safe. Learn more: besmartforkids.org

This month’s Mayor on the Block was in Beechwood today! Mayor Evans and the Senior Management Team spent the afternoon walking the neighborhood, meeting with residents, and listening to what matters most. If you see us in your neighborhood next month, come say hello!

R-Centers are the place to be this fall! With programs for all ages, spanning across fitness, nature, sports, fine arts, and more — there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Learn more: cityofrochester.gov/recreation

Congrats to Tia, our Library Patron of the Month! She and her family recently moved to Rochester and got their cards at the Lincoln Branch Toy Library. The celebration runs through September — more winners coming soon! Learn more: roccitylibrary.org/spotlight/summer-raffle/

Celebrate How We ROC: Through Our Lenses! Join us on Friday at the Link Gallery in City Hall for an artist reception, showcasing photographers who capture Rochester’s stories, culture, and beauty. Learn more: cityofrochester.gov/events/link-gallery-exhibit-how-we-roc-look-through-our-lenses