Happy weekend, Rochester! In today’s happening-today edition: South Indian flavors arrive, Harborfest turns 40, and Hot Wheels monster trucks live glow-n-fire + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around Rochester protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
South Indian flavors arrive: Dakshin Indian Cuisine, a second location after Syracuse, will open in the former Cub Room space on South Clinton Avenue, bringing Tamil Nadu flavors, dosas, and vegan and gluten-free options -- learn more about the opening.
Festival fun on the lake: Harborfest turned 40 on Thursday at Ontario Beach Park, with rides and sails on the 1893 ship Lettie G. Howard, plus races, a sand sculpture contest, and ROC City Circus -- see Harborfest highlights.
Specialty care under one roof: Rochester Regional Health began construction in Canandaigua on a $17.5 million orthopedic and neurosciences center consolidating clinics, featuring four operating rooms, 16 pre-op bays and 32 exam rooms, opening 2027 -- see the new health center.
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Weekend water fix: Gravel Ponds Campground packs 30 acres of sparkling water, sandy beaches, catch-and-release fishing, a heated pool and spa, lighted pickleball, and on-site eats from Bedrock Pub & Café and The Gravel Grill, all with a members-only vibe that feels like your Rochester summer basecamp.
Shuck yeah, Rochester: Rella Oysters is Rochester’s northeast-style, counter-only seafood spot with an open kitchen and first-come vibes, perfect for settling in with Finger Lakes wines, briny oysters, broiled oysters Rockefeller, chowder, mussels, and shrimp sliders. A quick midweek escape to the coast... without, you know, the coast.
Dial in your swing: If your tee shots are hibernating until July, The Harmony Golf Club lets you play full courses on a private simulator with HD screen and instant shot data from high-speed cameras. Book a session this week solo or with friends, dial in your numbers, then actually believe in your 7-iron again.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🚗 Rev-On’s Harbor Fest Car Show @ Ontario Beach Park | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – If you've been waiting for a sign to ogle chrome and pretend you still know your way around a carb, this is it. Classic rides on shaded grass by the harbor, a live band, door prizes, and trophies, all with breezes, not parking-lot heat shimmer.
🧘 Mindful Magic: Sonic Yoga @ Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester | Saturday (6/20) at 9:15 AM – Trade doomscrolling for a morning reset in the museum's Fountain Court, mindful movement led by Robyn Paige and a soundscape from Harold Taddy, The Gong Situation. Think yoga that hums through your bones, not your playlist, because your back has opinions now.
🎡 College Town Carnival @ College Town Rochester | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Bring the crew to College Town for a low-stress carnival mashup of local vendors, cold drinks, and kid appeasement disguised as games, face paint, and a soft play zone. You browse, they bounce, the DJ spins, and yes, free parking, a Rochester unicorn.
✊ Celebrating Freedom - iGNiTE! @ Manhattan Square Park Ice Rink | Saturday (6/20) at 12:00 PM – iGNiTE! returns to Rochester’s Juneteenth celebration, lighting it up with culture, music, joy, and hope. Expect vibrant performances, community pride, and the kind of feel-good energy that makes you chat with strangers. We’re honoring the past, empowering the future, still judging lawn chairs.
🚚 Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire @ One War Memorial Square | Saturday (6/20) at 12:30 PM – This glow-in-the-dark monster truck spectacle brings Hot Wheels favorites to life, with Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, and Bigfoot roaring. Add FMX daredevils, a fire-breathing car crusher, and enough engine growl to rattle your fillings, and you have the loudest family bonding session in town.
🛍 Roc Artists Open Market @ Innovation Square | Sunday (6/21) at 10:00 AM – Think you know every Rochester maker by name? Swing through Innovation Square for the Roc Artists Open Market, a laid-back sprawl of artisans, small businesses, vintage, tasty bites, live music, and dance. Stroll, chat, buy something you will actually use, then call it culture.
🍖 Father's Day Barbecue @ Seneca Park Zoo | Sunday (6/21) at 11:30 AM – Father’s Day at the Zoo means Dad retires the apron, you skip the cleanup, and everyone wins. Tuck into a brunch spread with savory favorites and sweet treats, then wander habitats, meet the residents, and pad the memory bank without a grill flare-up. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Rochester report Weather forecastToday — High: 75°F — Low: 57°F — Precip: 3%
Sunny, with a high near 75. West wind around 14 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. West wind 5 to 12 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 77°F — Low: 58°F — Precip: 10%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. West wind around 7 mph. Later: A chance of rain showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. This house is wildThis 3,396-square-foot mixed-use standout packs serious personality with 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and 2 kitchens across two separate spaces. Iconic carriage doors, a spiral staircase, soaring commercial ceilings, and a rooftop terrace with a hot tub, fire feature, and lounge zones create instant intrigue. Live, work, and host all from one unforgettable address.
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