May 2017 Events: Spring in Rochester and the Finger Lakes is a splendid, colorful (and muddy) time to enjoy flowers awakening and an end to the winter hibernation. There are many festivals, events and fun happenings in May 2017, like Kentucky Derby Parties, Wine and Beer tastings, fundraiser benefits, Lilac Festival, Food Truck Rodeo and more.
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May 2017 Events: Spring things-to-do in Rochester & Finger Lakes
Growlers, Grapes & Grains
- Saturday, May 6, 2017 – (4pm-7pm)
- Greater Canandaigua Civic Center, 250 N. Bloomfield Rd. Canandaigua, NY
- 585-396-7230
- View Website
- Growlers, Grapes & Grains is a wine, beer and food tasting event to benefit the Greater Canandaigua Civic Center. Live music by Dave McGrath, Chicken dinner, tastings, raffles, cigar tent and more.
Derby Day at the Granger Homestead
- Saturday, May 6, 2017 – (4:30pm-8:30pm)
- Granger Homestead, 295 Main St. Canandaigua, NY
- Call for reservations 585-394-1472
- View Website
- Watch live streamed Kentucky Derby, Triple Crown silent auction, Derby Hat Contest, Cash bar, Enjoy appetizers, dinner, and dessert. $30pp advanced, $35pp at door.
Derby Day Brew Crawl
- Saturday, May 6, 2017 – (11am)
- Cobblestone Arts Center. Canandaigua, NY
- 585-217-6430
- View Website
- $60pp includes transportation to 4 craft breweries and Finger Lakes Racing. Enjoy a catered BBQ at Cobblestone Arts Center and watch live streamed Kentucky Derby.
Rochester Lilac Festival 2017
- May 12-21, 2017 (10:30am – 8:30pm daily)
- Highland Park, Rochester, NY
- View Website
- Rochester NY free festival with ten days and nights of festivities such as food vendors, live music and of course, lilacs.
Victor Craft Beverage Fest – Victor, NY
- Friday, May 12, 2017 – (6-9pm)
- Ravenwood Golf Club – 929 Lynaugh Rd. Victor, NY
- 585-742-1476
- View Website
- Enjoy food, beer and music. Home brewing demonstratios, Presented by the Victor Chamber of Commerce. $20 members/$25 non-members.
2017 Mother’s Day
- Sunday, May 14, 2017
- Check out Restaurants for 2017 Mother’s Day Brunch or Dinner.
Hobart and William Smith Colleges Graduation 2017 – Geneva, NY
- Sunday, May 14, 2017
- The Quad, Hobart and William Smith – Geneva, NY
- View Website
- President Bill Clinton will be the Commencement Speaker.
CANCELED – 2017 Rochester International Airshow
- Wednesday, May 17, 2017 —- CANCELED —–
- Greater Rochester International Airport – Rochester, NY
- See official website at http://www.rocairshow.info/ for details.
Rochester Lilac Festival 2017
- May 12-21, 2017 (10:30am – 8:30pm daily)
- Highland Park, Rochester, NY
- View Website
- Rochester NY free festival with ten days and nights of festivities such as food vendors, live music and of course, lilacs.
RIT Commencement Weekend 2017 – Rochester, NY
- May 19-20, 2017
- RIT – Rochester, NY
- View Website
University of Rochester Graduation 2017 – Rochester, NY
- May 19-21, 2017
- University of Rochester – Rochester, NY
- View Website
Finger Lakes Celtic Games and Festival – Farmington, NY
- Saturday, May 20, 2017 (9:30am-7pm)
- 4925 Collett Road, Farmington, NY
- View Website
- The Finger Lakes Celtic Games and Festival features the culture of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Cornwall with food, historical presentations, competitions, vendors, entertainment, dance and music.
FLCC Graduation 2017 – Canandaigua, NY
- Saturday, May 20, 2017
- CMAC (@ Finger Lakes Community College) – Hopewell, NY
- View Website
Ithaca College Graduation 2017 – Ithaca, NY
- Sunday, May 21, 2017
- Butterfield Stadium, Ithaca College – Ithaca, NY
- View Website
Roc City Rib Fest – Greece, NY
- May 26-29, 2017
- Barnard Fireman’s Field – Greece, NY
- View Website
- The Roc City Rib Fest BBQ and music festival on Memorial Day Weekend. The four day, family-friendly event will include live music, a retail and craft vendor area, and an interactive kids zone.
2017 National Lake Trout Derby on Seneca Lake
- May 27-29, 2017
- Seneca Lake, Geneva, NY
- Awards Ceremony at 3pm Monday May 29, 2017 at Lakeside Park, Geneva, NY
- View Website
- Fishermen compete for prizes for largest Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout or Landlocked Salmon at the National Lake Trout Derby on Seneca Lake.
Richmond Fireman’s Carnival
- May 27, 2017
- 8624 Main St. Honeoye, NY
- Richmond Fireman’s Carnival features rides, food, crafts, music and an evening fireworks display.
Cornell University Graduation 2017 – Ithaca, NY
- May 28, 2017
- Schoellkopf Stadium, Cornell University – Ithaca, NY
- View Website
- Former vice president Joe Biden will speak at Senior Convocation on Saturday 5/27/17, the day before graduation.
2017 Memorial Day
- Monday, May 29, 2017
- Check out 2017 Memorial Day Parades and Events.
Guitars and Stars 2017 – Farmington
- Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 7pm (doors open at 6)
- Finger Lakes Casino & Racetrack – Farmington, NY
- View Website
- 2017 Guitars and Stars concert at the Finger Lakes Casino & Racetrack is hosted by Frankie Ballard and features Scotty McCreery, Michael Ray, William Michael Morgan, Parmalee, Runaway June, Carley Pearce.
Rochester Food Truck Rodeo 2017
- May 31, 2017 – (5-9pm)
- Rochester Public Market 280 N. Union St. Rochester, NY
- View Website
- Four-Wheeled Food Fests at the Public Market each last Wednesday of the month through September. Local Food, Local Brew, Local Bands. Recommended to bring chairs/snack table. Limited picnic tables.
