Rochester Reporter

The Rochester Lilac Festival has been nominated for USA Today's 10 Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Flower Festival in the USA. The festival, which has been a tradition for 127 years, is calling on the community to vote daily until March 3 to help secure the top spot.

Held annually at Highland Park, the festival is known as the largest free flower festival in North America. It attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each May with its display of over 1,200 varieties of lilacs, live music performances, local artisans, and various other attractions.

Highland Park itself is noted for its design by Frederick Law Olmsted and boasts one of the world's largest collections of lilacs. Winning this award would bring attention to Rochester's historical significance and promote it as a leading destination for tourism and events.

Voting can be done online at https://10best.usatoday.com/qr/45211/, where supporters are encouraged to vote once per day through March 3.

"Winning this recognition is an opportunity to shine a national spotlight on Rochester’s incredible community," stated organizers. The festival aims to highlight Highland Park’s botanical features and the unique offerings of the Lilac Festival.

The upcoming 127th Rochester Lilac Festival will take place from May 9 through May 18, 2025. It continues a long-standing tradition that began in 1898 and draws more than half a million visitors each year. This year's event will feature over 120 musical performances, arts and crafts vendors, a farmers' market, children's activities, and more.

Lilac Festival Inc., along with Monroe County, the City of Rochester, and Visit Rochester members host this annual celebration.