On January 5, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello launched Celebrate More, a community-wide celebration of events tied to the Monroe County Bicentennial. It will bring people from across the community together in celebration of all that Monroe County has to offer, from historic, cultural, and educational festivals to family-friendly activities and special events.
“Monroe County’s bicentennial showcases the rich history of our region and it comes at a time when we all want to safely gather again,” said County Executive Bello. “We are on the path to recovery, bringing Monroe back and planning forward to make a healthier, safer, more equitable and more exciting Monroe County as we start our next 200 years. Let’s engage in our celebrations, but do so smartly: remember to vax, boost, and mask, so we can all Celebrate More together.”
The celebration of the Monroe County Bicentennial recognizes the proud history and the promising future of Monroe County. This celebration includes the return of existing events, several of which have not taken place since 2019, alongside exciting new events and activities, including festivals, concerts, parades, and educational programming. Monroe County is partnering with libraries and historians in its towns, villages and the City of Rochester to educate and bring to life the history of our region.
Celebrate More also recognizes and commemorates other milestone anniversaries and events for community groups large and small – everything from Garth Fagan Dance, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Eastman School of Music, Geva Theatre Center, the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse, and more.
Community groups including neighborhood associations, faith organizations, and local businesses are encouraged to participate by including and promoting their events on the Celebrate More website at CelebrateMore200.com.
Celebrate More is participating with existing community events and festivals, including the Rochester Lilac Festival, the Rochester International Jazz Festival, along with new events and activities created for the Bicentennial. Details on new events will follow.
Local businesses can play a key role with Celebrate More, including sharing events and promotions with a Monroe County or bicentennial theme, or by supporting and sponsoring events. Businesses are encouraged to visit CelebrateMore200.com to submit events, sponsorship or collaboration inquiries.
“Local businesses have played an important role in the history of Monroe County for the past 200 years, putting us on the cutting edge of technology and innovation,” said Bob Duffy, President and CEO, of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce. “That progress continues today with the resilient businesses that are driving our economy and powering us into the future.”
The observation of Monroe County’s bicentennial officially began in 2021, but due to COVID-19, broad scale public and community celebrations were postponed until 2022. Previous bicentennial events included a Monroe County night at the Rochester Red Wings, a Monroe County-themed weekend and Agricultural Fair at Genesee Country Village and Museum, the Rochester Summer Soul Festival, 2021 KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival, and the planting of a bicentennial tree.
Bicentennial Co-Chairs include Faheem Masood, president and chief executive officer of ESL Federal Credit Union; Carolyn Vacca, Monroe County historian and professor and chair of the History Department at St. John Fisher College; Rev. Derrill Blue, senior pastor of the Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church on Clarissa Street; and Shannon Ealy, co-chair of the RocCity Coalition.
“Monroe County’s bicentennial is the opportune moment for us to come together and celebrate all that our community has to offer,” said Faheem Masood. “While the pandemic has and continues to impact all of our lives, we will press onward into the new year with hope and optimism. Let Monroe County’s bicentennial be our community’s time to celebrate amongst our families, friends, and neighbors. Let us honor and celebrate all of the wonderful people, organizations, and events that make our community such a wonderful place to call home.”
“The history of Monroe County provides a most magnificent drama, most fitting for the theme, Celebrate More. I am honored to be able to serve as one of the Co-Chairs working to make this a year of remembrance and vision,” said Carolyn Vacca, Monroe County historian. “Throughout the year, the town and village historians will be holding events, sharing their vast knowledge of our municipalities, and contributing to our understanding of how we came to be who we are today. Looking back to the original residents, the Native Americans, we will acknowledge all the diverse groups who built our community and faced challenges we can only imagine. We will be working to develop inclusive curriculum materials for schools and libraries so that all students can see their role as citizens of our community.”
Celebrate More news, events, and updates will be regularly added to the bicentennial website at CelebrateMore200.com, as well as Monroe County and Visit Rochester’s social media platforms.
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