Holiday festival in Rochester's South Wedge

Posted at: 12/01/2012 7:32 PM | Updated at: 12/01/2012 11:41 PM
By: Joangel Concepcion | WHEC.com

The holiday season is in full swing in Rochester. Many have taken advantage of the Park Ave Holiday Fest and the same excitement is happening in the South Wedge during its holiday festival.

Hundreds of people made it out to the 'It's a Wonderful Life in the South Wedge Festival' on Saturday.  For many it was about bringing the community together and reminding residents to shop local.

The festival was in the heart of the South Wedge. It kicked off early Saturday morning with Santa Claus. The Rochester Oratorio Carolers got everyone into the Christmas spirit while they enjoyed the festivities.  More than a dozen businesses put their unique items on display. Most of them are local artists who live and work in the area. Several of them told News10NBC it was a very successful day for them.

“Really, really great sense of friendship around here, says Gil Merritt.

For Merritt and several other business owners the South Wedge holiday festival is a perfect way to begin the holiday season.

Paul Taylor says,“It's a good reason for people to get out of the house in December and meet their neighbors.”

Taylor has been living in the South Wedge neighborhood for more than 10 years. He says this festival not only brings the community together, but it also brings in the big bucks for local vendors.

“People who shop locally you know the local businesses employ people locally and it just really helps theGreater Rochester area,” says Taylor.

Festival organizers say it serves as a reminder.

According to Chris Jones, “It's not all about big box stores at the holiday season. Just to help some businesses get some new people into their stores this time of year.”

This is the third year for the festival and every year it seems to get bigger and better.

“We had a fantastic turn out today. We sold all of our trees and resale by two o'clock, which is fantastic.  A lot of the artists are selling out their items which is great,” says Jones.

It may not be the biggest festival in Rochester, but these locals appreciate the unique setting filled with items created in the South Wedge neighborhood.

Organizers say it's something that sets them apart from the rest of the city.

“I think we're different than other neighborhoods in the area in a good way,” says Jones.

Have a story you want our news team to investigate? Call us at 585-232-1010, click here to send us an e-mail or leave us a Facebook post or tweet.

Print Story