Snap Poll: Jazz Fest again the favorite festival

Lilac Festival and Fairport Canal Days round out readers’ top three picks

The weather forecast may not show any signs of summer, but the festival schedule does.

The summer festival season kicks off with the start of the Rochester Lilac Festival on Friday.

From now through September, Rochesterians will have dozens of festivals of all varieties to choose from for their entertainment.

This week’s RBJ Daily Report Snap Poll asked readers to name their favorite special event.

More than 350 respondents participated in this week’s poll, conducted May 7-8.

If you could attend just one special event each summer season, which would you choose?

Rochester International Jazz Festival — 34%

Rochester Lilac Festival — 12%

Fairport Canal Days — 10%

Corn Hill Arts Festival — 6%

Park Ave. Summer Art Fest — 5%

Fairport Music Festival — 5%

KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival — 3%

M&T Bank Clothesline Festival — 3%

Other — 21%

COMMENTS:

There are many great festivals in the area, but if I had to choose one, it would have to be the Jazz Festival.

—Joe Marasco

In my opinion, the Rochester International Jazz Festival is the best thing that has ever happened in Rochester — both culturally and economically. I think John Nugent and Marc Iacona deserve heartfelt gratitude from all of us.

—Michael Violante

The Jazz Fest continues to be a great scene, where it is always fun to see who the headliners will be. The walking around atmosphere on a sunny day is always great; this is the main festival I would take people from out of town to. Lilac, Rochester Real Beer Week, and Canal Days are right behind, but so many other great and diverse festivals, this one really shows off the potential of the city and the region.

—Keith Newcomer

The initiative to put Joseph Avenue on the arts map can be transformational.

—Richard Rosen

I made my choice, but so many are so good, the choice is difficult!

—J.A. DePaolis, Consultative Services

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