This weekend in Irondequoit, NY

The Giant Pumpkin & Sunflower Competitions, part of the 4th Annual Lima Pumpkin Festival & AG Day, offer more than $2,000 in prize money and are open to everyone with no entry fee. Pumpkin entries are judged in three divisions. The heaviest overall pumpkin earns $500 for first place, $250 for second, and $150 for third. The largest carving pumpkin category awards $250 for first, $150 for second, and $100 for third. The largest white pumpkin category offers the same $250, $150, and $100 payouts. Sunflower entries include tallest sunflower and largest head, and each of these categories awards $100 for first, $50 for second, and $25 for third. Participants may submit as many entries as they wish, although only one entry per category is eligible for prize money. Entries remain the responsibility of the contestants, and items left after the event are at the owner’s risk.

A friendly group bicycle ride begins at Schoen Place by Collin’s pavilion and rolls west on the canal path to Lock 32 to meet additional riders. It continues toward the UR campus, heads downtown on the west side of the Genesee River, and includes a coffee stop at Javas on Gibbs Street. The return follows the east side of the river through the UR campus to the Erie Canal path and back to the starting point. The route and downtown coffee destination may vary slightly from week to week.

Momentum is building in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementia as new treatments emerge, offering a renewed sense of hope. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Rochester reflects that optimism and highlights progress on the path forward.

Celebrate the season at this free family event, now in its fourth year. The Lima Pumpkin Festival and Agricultural Day features pumpkin and sunflower competitions, a baking contest, hay rides, a petting zoo, kid zones, music, and a variety of food and craft vendors. Additional attractions are planned for 2026, with updates to be shared. Prospective vendors should be cautious of scammers, vendor forms are available by email and electronic payments are not requested.

Explore a seasonal marketplace at the West Walworth Fire Hall featuring local crafters, artisans, and vendors in support of the West Walworth Fire Department Auxiliary. Discover handmade creations, gift ideas, and home decor. A Chicken BBQ by C & B Roasters will be available, primarily through pre-sale, with a limited number of dinners offered the day of the event while supplies last. Each meal is $15. Those interested in participating as vendors can request registration details by emailing btwelker@yahoo.com.

The Card, Toy & Collectibles Expo takes place inside the community center gym during the Hilton Apple Festival. The expo offers trading card games such as Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering, and One Piece, along with a range of sports cards. The selection also includes action figures from WWE, AEW, Star Wars, Marvel, and DC, plus LEGO sets and minifigures, comic books, local authors, video games, and Funko Pop figures. Admission and parking are free, and a shuttle bus service is available.

Celebrate the 20th year of MCC’s 5K Walk/Run for Scholarships with a community-focused day of movement and support for students. Registration and check-in take place before the start, and there are engaging activities both before and after the race. Kick things off with a Zumba warm-up, then hit a course that is USATF certified. After crossing the finish line, enjoy lunch along with activities and treats. The event wraps up with an awards ceremony and a drawing for scholarships. Participants of all ages are welcome.

This event extends a warm, open invitation to everyone. Expect a casual and welcoming atmosphere centered on connecting with others and exploring a variety of items. Attendees can browse at their own pace, with plenty of chances to discover something unexpected.

Master performer and educator Mohamed Diaby leads West African drumming and dance from Guinea at South Wedge Mission, and newcomers are welcome. Choose a drum class, a dance class, or take both. The drum class is $15, and drummers who remain to play for the dance portion add $5. The dance class is $20, and both classes together are $30. Payment is accepted in cash or via Venmo at @Diaby. Mohamed began playing jembe at age seven under the guidance of his brother Moustapha, later joining a troupe sponsored by the wife of President Sekou Toure. With encouragement from Mamady Keita, he became part of Africa Djole, then toured across West Africa as lead drummer with Les Merveilles de Guinea, including five years in Sierra Leone. Kemoko Sano of Les Ballet Africains expressed interest in bringing him into the company. He came to the United States in 1995 to perform at Symphony Space in New York City, later directed the Guinea style ensemble Africa Sogaye in Atlanta and organized the WAH WAH Drum and Dance Conference. He continues to teach across the United States, Canada, and Europe while sharing the music and culture of Guinea.

A lively gathering with food, music, motorcycles, and plenty of fun.

Supporters of the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation come together for the 2026 Rochester Dystonia Zoo Day, a family-friendly gathering that raises awareness of dystonia, a little-known brain disorder, and supports the foundation’s work to find a cure. The day includes a registration period followed by a program, offering time to connect, learn, and show solidarity with those affected by dystonia.

Attendees can meet adoptable cats and kittens and chat with volunteers during open hours. Same day adoptions are not available, and all prospective adopters must complete an application. Applications can be submitted in person or online.

Take part in an official ONE PIECE store tournament built for competitive fun. Players face off in Swiss rounds, each match running 35 minutes as a best of one with 5 minutes of extra time, and the event will only begin if at least four participants are present. Entry is $5, paid on arrival, and includes promotional items with prizing that scales based on attendance. Everyone who plays receives a Tournament Pack, first place secures a Winner Tournament Pack, and top finishers share in additional rewards. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase.

A family friendly performance takes place on the festival’s main stage at the Hilton Apple Festival, offering entertainment for all ages.

Enjoy a live solo performance by Laurie Berkner filled with energetic, interactive songs that get kids and grownups singing and moving. Look forward to favorites like "Victor Vito," "We Are The Dinosaurs," "Pig On Her Head," "Waiting For The Elevator," and "Chipmunk At The Gas Pump," along with new tunes. Bring a stuffed animal to perch on your head and wear your dancing shoes for extra fun. A $1 donation is added to tickets to support Daystar Kids, a local nonprofit that helps children with complex medical needs and developmental challenges by bridging the period from hospital care to school-based services, using an innovative best practices approach designed for replication, with support flowing through Twinkle Arts for Good. Regular ticket prices are $40.50, $45.50, $50.50, and $66, plus any applicable fees, and children under one who sit on a lap can attend for free. A $50 meet and greet add on is available for 50 P1 and P2 tickets and includes preferred seating and a post show meet and greet, also with any applicable fees. Children under one on a lap are free for the meet and greet as well.

The music features a blend of Top 40 country, classic rock, and southern rock, with a few oldies added in. It spans contemporary hits and longtime favorites across these genres.

Battle it out in an official GUNDAM CARD GAME store tournament at Hobby Spirit in Buffalo, NY. This casual-level competition uses Swiss rounds, best of one, with 30-minute rounds and 5 minutes of extra time. Entry is $5, which includes promos and pack prizing based on attendance, with payment requested on arrival. Every participant receives one Tournament Pack, and first place earns a Winner Tournament Pack. A minimum of four players is required for the event to launch. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase. Registration is available through the Bandai app or website using your username.

Bug Jar hosts a bill featuring Upon Your Dead Body alongside When the Sun Sets and Rematch. What began as Efrain Benavides’s solo outlet grew from home recordings into a full band honed on South Texas stages, now featuring Robert De La Rosa on drums and Jesus Trevino on bass. Their sound blends spoken word phrasing with melodic tension, Midwest emo colors, and math rock precision, taking cues from artists like La Dispute, Coheed and Cambria, Say Anything, Hail The Sun, and Mom Jeans. The performance centers on emotionally driven storytelling and dynamic shifts. Admission is for ages 18 and up, with prices ranging from $18 to $22.

An opener performs first, then the Hailey Rae Band plays the main set at Parlays Inn.

At Innovation Square in downtown Rochester, this market highlights artisans, small businesses, vintage, food, live music, and activities. The Roc Artists Open Market celebrates creativity and community with local music, lively performances, and dance showcases. Whether you are an art enthusiast or simply planning a fun day out, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Set out on a four-hour fall foliage cruise to Downtown Rochester aboard the Colonial Belle, departing and returning to Schoen Place in Pittsford. Travel along the Erie Canal and the Genesee River with live narration from the captain, enjoy instrumental music on the way into the city, then relax to live music and vocals by Teagan Ward and Tommy Formicola on the return trip to Pittsford. A seasonal three-course meal catered by Spinelli’s Catering & Events is served on board, featuring corn chowder, apple stuffed chicken with lemon sauce, squash, green beans with tri-colored peppers, cornbread, and apple crisp. A fully licensed bar offers a wide variety of beverages along with bagged snacks for purchase, and both cash and credit cards are accepted. A service charge is included, and an 8 percent sales tax applies to food. In accordance with state and local regulations, outside food and beverages, including bottled water, are not permitted. Boarding begins 15 minutes before departure, and guests should check in at the dock prior to boarding. All public cruises require a minimum number of passengers to sail.

Local artists Renèe Schuls-Jacobson and Stephanie Rober Sheedy lead an extended expressive art workshop in Pittsford, New York centered on the idea of filling your cup. This gentle, restorative experience invites participants to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and practice meaningful self-care. Choose a unique teacup, explore junk journaling, take part in guided art activities, and connect with a supportive circle of women, all designed to help you reflect on what truly replenishes you. Arrive as you are and head out feeling refreshed, inspired, and renewed.

Hot Wire delivers an energetic bluegrass set on the main stage at the Hilton Apple Festival, which has once again been recognized as Best Festival/Fair. Attendees can take in everything the festival offers and get moving during this lively performance.

Photo City Music Hall hosts Eternity, a vampire metal opera that blends the force of a live concert with theatrical drama and dark romance. Created by Buffalo artist and composer Vincent James Mastrantonio, this production delivers original music, commanding vocals, choreography, bold costumes, and striking visual effects. The story centers on a vampire and a dancer whose bond draws them into a realm where desire and immortality collide. Presented in two acts that flow as one continuous experience, it surrounds the audience with intense metal-opera music and a blood-tinged tale of passion. After a sold-out Buffalo debut, the show brings its next chapter to Rochester. Halloween costumes are encouraged, vampire fans with or without fangs are welcome, and attendees must be 16 or older with valid ID.

A laid-back evening of Magic: The Gathering Commander with a welcoming group that supports both competitive and casual play. Tables often split into one high-powered game and one or two more relaxed games, letting players choose the pace they prefer. Expect lively table talk and memorable moments, from slinging spells to piling on slime counters. Pint, seltzer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks are on hand to enjoy while playing and meeting fellow fans.