Tree lighting kicks off 'the most wonderful weekend of the year'

A lucky youngster flicks a switch to light the city Christmas tree during last night's ceremony at Central Square in the downtown. (Rochester Voice photos)

ROCHESTER - A festive crowd of several hundred gathered at Central Square on Friday night to celebrate the first lighting of THE city's official Christmas tree.
The event marked the beginning of a weekend filled with holiday cheer, including the Festival of Trees at Studley's Flower Garden that concludes today, today's Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl and Sunday's "Rock 'n' Roll" themed Christmas Parade.

Dancers from Studio 109 high step at Friday's Christmas tree lighting in downtown Rochester

Last night's tree lighting ceremony included dance and song from Studio 109 Voice and Dance, a reading of "The Night Before Christmas" by Rochester Mayor Paul Callaghan and a visit from Santa at First Seacoast Bank offices on Wakefield Street.
The fifth annual Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl, sponsored by Sam Adams, runs

From left, Jenn Marsh, Bob Scala and Carol Glenn from the city's Economic Development Department stand on Friday with the department's entry into the Festival of Trees being held today at Studley's Flower Garden on Wakefield Street.

today from 1 -5 p.m. Tickets for the event are $15 if purchased today and can be found at any participating pub, which includes Revolution Taproom and Grill, Lilac City Grille, Mitchell Hill Barbecue, Governor's Inn and Porter's Pub.
Meanwhile, the Festival of Tree, which began last night, continues today from 2-6 p.m.
Attendees will be able to enjoy music, refreshments, and a visit from Santa while strolling through dozens of wonderfully decorated trees donated by area businesses and organizations. They are fully decorated and often stuffed with gift certificates and other fun prizes.
According to Main Street Board member Jeff Bisson, the event is the nonprofit's most successful fund-raiser of the year. In 2021, the organization raised more than $7,000 for its initiatives, which include downtown beautification projects.
Admission is just $5 and includes 5 raffle tickets for a chance to win a tree. Children under 12 enter at no cost. Studley's Flower Gardens is located at 82 Wakefield St., Rochester.
The Christmastime weekend extravaganza concludes on Sunday with the city's annual Christmas parade.
The parade, which begins at 3 p.m., features an array of floats, high school marching bands, marching units, mobile units and equestrian units.
The parade begins on Wakefield Street by the triangle at the entrance to the Spaulding High School, proceeds south on Wakefield Street, turns right onto Union Street, turns left onto North Main Street to South Main Street, and disbands in front of the Rochester Common.
Thousands of individuals participate in Rochester's Holiday Parade each year and thousands view the parade as spectators during the parade and via video replay throughout the holiday season.