Each spring, Highland Park in Rochester, NY erupts with gorgeous blossoms and the city celebrates the season the way any fine city should, with a massive 10 day festival. Lilac Fest features dozens of concerts, rides, craft beer and wine tastings, a parade, running races, arts and crafts and so much more. I had the opportunity to cover a couple days of the festival, a fairly massive undertaking as the activities are seemingly endless and span a massive portion of Highland Park. It was a treat to experience the festival in such a hands on capacity. Check out a few of my favorites below and check out the festival for yourself next May!
A few frames from the Lilac Festival Parade. Nothing like a marching band to kick off the summer in Highland Park in Rochester!
![marching band and participants perform during parade in front of cherry blossoms Lilac Festival at Highland Park in Rochester, NY](http://dedario.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Lilac-festival-highland-park-rochester-ny1.jpg)
![clown on bike poses for photo during parade at Lilac Festival at Highland Park in Rochester, NY](http://dedario.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Lilac-festival-highland-park-rochester-ny2.jpg)
![veterans march with flags during parade Lilac Festival at Highland Park in Rochester, NY](http://dedario.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Lilac-festival-highland-park-rochester-ny3.jpg)
![participants laugh while marching in parade Lilac Festival at Highland Park in Rochester, NY](http://dedario.com/blog/wp-content/themes/prophoto4/images/blank.gif)
One of my favorite features of the Lilac Festival has got to be all the free hugs from these cuties!
![group of people offer free hugs in purple cross walk Lilac Festival at Highland Park in Rochester, NY](http://dedario.com/blog/wp-content/themes/prophoto4/images/blank.gif)
The Arts and Crafts fair stretches seemingly for miles through Highland Park in Rochester! You can purchase all sorts of locally crafted goods here.
![a juggler performs and visitors enjoy rides and art vendors Lilac Festival at Highland Park in Rochester, NY](http://dedario.com/blog/wp-content/themes/prophoto4/images/blank.gif)
There are, of course, the LILACS! Highland Park in Rochester has more lilac trees than I can count. It looks amazing and smells even better!
![people walk through lilacs and cherry blossoms Lilac Festival at Highland Park in Rochester, NY](http://dedario.com/blog/wp-content/themes/prophoto4/images/blank.gif)
![couple embraces in tree Lilac Festival at Highland Park in Rochester, NY](http://dedario.com/blog/wp-content/themes/prophoto4/images/blank.gif)
There are craft beer and wine tastings in a special tented area for guests to imbibe. Cheers to that!
![couple laughs while enjoying wine at the craft wine tasting festival Lilac Festival at Highland Park in Rochester, NY](http://dedario.com/blog/wp-content/themes/prophoto4/images/blank.gif)
![friends cheers during the craft beer festical Lilac Festival at Highland Park in Rochester, NY](http://dedario.com/blog/wp-content/themes/prophoto4/images/blank.gif)
And of course everyone’s favorite – the concerts! Dozens of amazing bands grace the Lilac Fest stage in Highland Park in Rochester, NY. Undoubtedly a highlight of the year in Rochester!
![musicians perform concert Lilac Festival at Highland Park in Rochester, NY](http://dedario.com/blog/wp-content/themes/prophoto4/images/blank.gif)
![musician performs at concert Lilac Festival at Highland Park in Rochester, NY](http://dedario.com/blog/wp-content/themes/prophoto4/images/blank.gif)
![musicians perform at concert Lilac Festival at Highland Park in Rochester, NY](http://dedario.com/blog/wp-content/themes/prophoto4/images/blank.gif)
If you love spring blossoms and want to see more, pop over to this maternity photography session featuring Buffalo’s Cherry Blossom Festival!