America 250 Celebration Monroe County & Rochester
Please help us keep this calendar up to date! If this activity is sold out, canceled, or otherwise needs alteration, email mindy@kidsoutandabout.com so we can update it immediately. If you have a question about the activity itself, please contact the organization administrator listed below.
America 250 Celebration Rochester & Monroe County is a free, family-friendly communitywide celebration commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. Taking place on Sunday, July 12, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at ESL Ballpark, this once-in-a-generation event brings together residents and visitors from across the region for an evening of entertainment, activities, community engagement, food, and celebration. No tickets are required, and all ages are welcome.
Inspired by the theme "The Evolution of the Revolution," the celebration honors both America's 250-year journey and Rochester's unique role in shaping the nation's story. From Rochester's boomtown beginnings to the enduring legacies of Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, and generations of innovators, creators, and changemakers, the event showcases the people, history, culture, and community spirit that continue to define Monroe County today.
Guests can enjoy free live performances from Rochester favorites The Uptown Groove, Prime Time Brass Band, Controversy, and ROC Star Academy's Ampla-Fire throughout the evening. Across the ballpark, attendees will discover a wide range of interactive attractions, including inflatable obstacle courses, climbing experiences, sports and skills challenges, oversized games, carnival-style activities, and high-energy attractions designed for children, families, and adults alike. Additional entertainment includes face painting, temporary tattoos, balloon artists, and hands-on experiences that encourage exploration, creativity, and play. (America 250 Celebration)
The celebration will also feature exhibits, activations, demonstrations, and vendor experiences from local businesses, nonprofits, educational organizations, cultural institutions, and community groups. Visitors can connect with organizations that help shape the Rochester region while exploring exhibits that highlight innovation, civic engagement, history, education, arts and culture, and community pride. Community partners, exhibitors, and vendors from across Monroe County will come together to create an engaging and memorable experience for attendees of all ages.
Food and beverages will be available throughout the evening from the Rochester Red Wings concession stands, offering a variety of local favorites and ballpark classics. Guests are encouraged to explore the venue, enjoy the entertainment, participate in activities, and celebrate alongside neighbors and visitors from across the region.
As a special part of the celebration, the first 250 attendees will receive a complimentary ice cream and commemorative poster, while the first 250 children will receive a commemorative coloring book. The evening culminates with a spectacular fireworks finale over ESL Ballpark, providing a fitting conclusion to a historic community celebration.
Presented by Van Bortel Ford and supported by Monroe County, COMIDA, Wegmans, Rohrbach Brewing Company, the City of Rochester, Visit Rochester, and numerous community partners, America 250 Celebration Rochester & Monroe County is a signature event of the region's yearlong commemoration of America's 250th anniversary and an opportunity for the entire community to come together and celebrate the past, present, and future of our nation and region.
*Times, dates, and prices of any activity posted to our calendars are subject to change. Please be sure to click through directly to the organization’s website to verify.