City of Rochester
News Release
(Tuesday, September 15, 2009) - Come celebrate local agriculture at the 12th Annual Harvest Jamboree and Country Fair (flyer), 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday, September 27, at the Rochester Public Market, 280 N. Union St. (map). The festival is a fun and popular opportunity to celebrate the end of summer with fun for the entire family, including free hay rides, a farm animal petting zoo and a children’s pumpkin patch. During the event, adults can learn to line dance with the Country Nights Dance Team and enjoy the sounds of some exceptional country music.
Rochester-area Kohl’s associates have partnered with Golisano Children’s Hospital’s pediatric emergency doctors to host a special bike safety event for local kids at the Harvest Jam. Look for a bike rodeo at the Market which will include helmet giveaways, helmet-fittings and safety contests.
Bragging rights for bakers are up for grabs at the festival with the “All Things Pumpkin and Mom’s Apple Contest.” Local amateur and professional chefs are invited to enter their best culinary creation using the pumpkin and local apples as a basic ingredient. A very hungry celebrity panel will do the judging and awards and recognitions will be presented at the end of the day. No pre-registration is needed and you don’t need to be present to win. Chefs and bakers should arrive at the Public Market on Sunday, September 27, anytime after 9am with one or more prepared entries in the categories of pies, breads and miscellaneous using the pumpkin and/or your best “mom’s” apple pie. Competitors may also drop off their entry to the Public Market office on Saturday, September 26, anytime between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. There is no entry fee! Just bring copies of all recipes to share with the public and a few donations of non-perishable food items for Foodlink, the local community food bank. First place winners will be given $50 in Market shopping tokens. Certificates of Recognition will be given out to all winners in the three category contest.
While enjoying the day’s festivities, shop the freshest produce at the peak of the harvest season. A variety of food and beverage will be available for purchase during the event.
Scheduled activities include:
• 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Free Hay Wagon Rides
• 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Free Pumpkins (while supplies last) for painting in the children’s pumpkin patch (a $.50 donation is requested to support local youth leadership programs).
• 10 a.m.-2p.m.: Kohl’s Pedal Patrol- Bike Rodeo for kids
• 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Farmers and General Merchandise vendors open for shopping. Visit a cornucopia of vendors offering wide variety of the season’s freshest bounty from local farmers and a number of country crafters.
• 11 a.m. - 3p.m.: Children’s Petting Zoo.
• 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Kate Lee- an emerging country star
• 1:15 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Country Line Dance Demonstrations by Peter Abate and Country Nights Dance Troup
• 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Johnnie Bauer & Great Escape
• 3:45 p.m.: Announcement and presentations for the “All Things Pumpkin and Apple Pie” cooking contest.
Interested vendors can rent a space of approximately 10 x 30 feet for just $25.00. Information is available at the Market Office at 428-6907 from 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Tues. – Sat.
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News Media: For more information, contact Jim Farr at 428-6866.