Heritage Days Brings Old-Fashioned Fun to Rochester Municipal Park

Rochester's annual Memorial Day staycation is almost here.

The will bring old-fashioned family fun to this weekend.

"We've been doing this for more than 30 years, and this year is one of the most exciting," said Gail Bothwell, chair of this year's festival.

Highlights will include a military re-enactments, displays, a chili cook-off, an old-fashioned baseball game and a rubber duck race down Paint Creek.

More than 70 artists will display their creations in the Crafts Along the Creek show, which will feature everything from African wood carvings to children's clothing.

"This is a great place to do some gift shopping," said art show organizer Sue Neal. "Not only that, once your shopping is done you can spend the day with your family enjoying all of the other attractions at the festival."

• Pancake Breakfast, 8-11:30 a.m. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children. It includes pancakes, sausages, coffee and juice. Breakfast is served at the . Tickets can be purchased at the door.
• Chili Cookoff, noon to 4 p.m. Vote for your favorites from local restaurants, including Chomp, and more.
• Motorcycle Run Contest, noon to 4 p.m. Sponsored by , there will be a competition for the "baddest bike" in the park.
• Rochester Grangers old-fashioned baseball game, 1 p.m. at , just north of Rochester Municipal Park.
• Ongoing activities: For the kids: pony and camel rides, hay and pioneer playgrounds and a climbing wall. For everyone: a classic cars show, Civil War and World War II re-enactments and continuous live music.

• Pancake Breakfast, 8-11:30 a.m. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children. It includes pancakes, sausages, coffee and juice. Breakfast is served at the . Tickets can be purchased at the door.
• Rubber Duck Race, 3 p.m. down Paint Creek. Sponsored by RARA, ducks can be adopted for $3 (or 2 for $5). Proceeds benefit RARA's Scamp, a day camp for special needs kids. The 20 speediest ducks will receive a prize.
• An antique fire truck display will be ongoing all day.
• Ongoing activities: Pony and camel rides, hay and pioneer playgrounds, and a climbing wall for the kids. A classic cars show, Civil War and World War II re-enactments and continuous live music for everyone.

Admission is free, though there are fees for some activities and for food.

Free parking will be available in the park parking lot off Ludlow Street or on nearby city streets. There will be no parking in the lot off Pine Street near the duck pond.