Like many events in 2020, the popular City of Rochester Roc Holiday Village has been canceled, event organizers and city officials announced Monday.
The annual month-long holiday festival was set to take place at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square in December for the third straight year.
"After very careful consideration, it’s with immense sadness that we announce today that we will not be able to create the village this year and bring our community together safely to celebrate the winter season,” event co-founders and producers Jenna Manetta-Knauf, Sean McCarthy and Kelli Marsh said in a printed statement.
The decision was difficult but necessary given current state guidelines that restrict large gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Manetta-Knauf.
"We wouldn't be able to keep people apart," she said.
The holiday event transformed the park into a winter wonderland and included visits with Santa, free ice skating on the outdoor rink, holiday vendors, dining, live music and more.
"We are so appreciative of the outpouring of support for Roc Holiday Village from businesses and visitors since the event’s beginning in 2018," McCarthy said. "People show up in droves. That's the magic. When we can all be together again, we will be there to make it once again the merriest time of all.”
The goal is for the festival to resume in 2021, said Five Star Bank President and CEO Marty Birmingham. The bank is a main sponsor of the village.
Over the next few months, event organizers will determine if a "scaled-down, pop-up concept is safely achievable," Manetta-Knauf said. An announcement of that possibility will be made in the fall.
Contact Victoria Freile at vfreile@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @vfreile and Instagram @vfreile. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Sign up today for a digital subscription.
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The Link LonkAugust 24, 2020 at 09:51PM
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Roc Holiday Village canceled for 2020 - Democrat & Chronicle
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