City of Rochester
News Release
Note to Editors: Motorist Advisory Below
(Tuesday, December 29, 2009) – To usher in 2010, Mayor Robert J. Duffy will host the City’s 175th Anniversary New Year’s Eve Celebration and “Big Wish” Globe Fire Ceremony, Thursday, Dec. 31, from 6:30 to 10 p.m., at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, 123 E. Main St.
The festivities kick off with a family dance party with Jimmy C’s Music Machine, carnival activities (includes inflatables, face painting, caricaturists, magician, air brush tattoos, clown, juggler, balloon artist, carnival games), karaoke and the “Big Wish” Globe Fire Ceremony.
The carnival will feature internationally-renowned Rochester "airigamist" Larry Moss (Balloon Manor). Moss will create a fun winter scene made entirely out of balloons and will take ongoing suggestions from the crowd on how best to build the Snowman Snowball Fight sculpture. The evening also includes cartoonist, caricaturist and teaching artist David “Bippy” Boyer.
“This year has been a special one for the city – the celebration of 175 years of tremendous history and achievement,” Mayor Robert J. Duffy said. “What better way to bring it to a close and shepherd in Rochester’s bright future in 2010 than with this wonderful family-oriented celebration and the awarding of 175 Big Wish prizes.”
The 10-foot steel Big Wish globe, which was filled with wishes and set ablaze for the city’s early New Year’s Eve celebration last year, will once again be lit up to send the residents’ wishes up toward the sky. The steel globe was commissioned by the City in 2008 to be constructed by local artist Patrick Doyle.
The winner of the Big Wish grand prize – a 2010 Chevy Traverse – will be announced. The remaining 174 winners will be notified by mail. Other prizes include a suite at Frontier Field, a Del Monte Lodge & Spa package, an Ellwanger Estate package, Rhinos season tickets, an in-home gourmet dinner from Spinelli’s Chef Services and a gift certificate from Tasteful Connections.
The Mayor will take the stage outside the front doors of the Convention Center at 9:30 p.m. and the City’s spectacular 175th Anniversary fireworks finale – the largest show in Rochester – will close out the evening at 10 p.m.
The event is sponsored by First Niagara Bank, Rochester Area Chevy Dealers and Nothnagle Realtors. For more information, call 311 (outside the city, 428-5990); visit cityofrochester.gov; or watch City12 Cable TV.
Motorist Advisory
• Main St., from South Ave. to Exchange Blvd., will be closed to vehicles and buses from 6 to 10:45 p.m. (local delivery access will be allowed). RTS buses which utilize this block will be re-directed to Broad St. and Andrews St. during this time.
• Fireworks will be launched from the eastbound entrance ramp to I-490 off the Inner Loop over the Genesee River downtown, the river walk behind One Mt. Hope Avenue and the Court St. Bridge.
• Court St., from Exchange Blvd. to South Ave., will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians 3 to 11 p.m.
• Woodbury Blvd., from St. Mary's Place to South Ave., will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians 9 to 10:45 p.m.
• South Ave., from Broad St. to Griffith St., will close 9:45 p.m. - 10:45 p.m.
• No stopping will be allowed on Route 490.
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News Media: For more information, contact Margaret Reichert at 428-6694.