Lilac Festival producer not returning in 2024

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — News10NBC has confirmed that Lilac Festival’s Producer Jeff Springut has chosen not to produce the 126th anniversary of the festival.

Springut has produced the festival since 2013 for people across Monroe County and beyond.

Springut said he’s done the festival for the past 11 years and it’s time to turn the page. He explains it’s a big undertaking with a lot of responsibilities, but he’s proud of his accomplishments.

He said he’s added a lot to the festival, made thousands of dollars for non-profits, Honor Flight and numerous others. He tells News10NBC it was a great event and they increased community outreach; added health and wellness expo, and a Garden Battle where winners gave money to donate to their charity of choice.

Springut said that he’s “hardly retiring.” He’s still active with Party in the Park and the concert series at Perinton Park Amphitheater.

“Don’t use retirement with my name, far from it,” he explains.

Springut says recent security issues at the festival the last couple years were “not at all” a factor in his leaving, and that they were so short and inconsequential that they weren’t given another thought.

A spokesperson for the county says moving forward, they’ll be working with two seasoned professionals with long histories in the festival. Organizers says they are in good hands to coordinate.