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Bella’s Bumbas Workplace Expansion Project fund-raising effort a tremendous success

26 Aug

Our friends at Bella’s Bumbas have just announced some terrific news. They’ve concluded their recent fund-raising effort to build a new barn, and thanks to amazing community support, they not only reached, but surpassed their goal.

Bella’s Bumbas is a non-profit grassroots organization run by Webster residents Marty Parzynski and Rebecca Orr, dedicated to building miniature wheelchairs for children with a wide variety of mobility issues. In the nine years since Marty built the first Bella’s Bumba for their niece Bella, they’ve shipped  3,200 chairs to children in 68 countries, often adapting the chairs for each child’s individual needs, and charging the parents only for shipping.

Till now, they’ve been working out of a small house just north of the village. As the number of chairs they were building and shipping continued to grow, they got creative with how they used their available space. First the living room was the office, and the kitchen the workshop. Then the kitchen was the office and the larger family room was the workshop. Shelves were built everywhere to accommodate all the parts. Bubble wrap and shipping boxes were stacked in every available corner and stuffed into a ramshackle garage and adjacent chicken coop.

But now, they’re out of room, which is beginning to hamper their ability to offer life-changing mobility to even more children with disabilities.

A good look at why Bella’s needs more space

So last March they drew up some plans, started talking with contractors, and set their sights on an ambitious goal: to demolish their existing, dilapidated garage and replace it with a 22′ by 30′ garage, complete with a concrete floor, shelving, and lots of room to expand. The whole Workplace Expansion Project, including a new driveway to replace the crumbling one they have now, was estimated to cost $60,000.

The fund-raising began in earnest. Marty and Rebecca created a dedicated GoFundMe page for the project, and started coordinating some special events. They started out with a bang in May when a spaghetti dinner fundraiser hosted by the Webster Masonic Lodge raised more than $3,800.

All spring and summer the donations continued to pour in, from family, friends, neighbors, and anonymous donors, from all over the United States. Some were as small as $2, others in the hundreds. Together with some grants from local organizations, as of last week, the final amount totaled $63,000 — and more than two thirds of those funds raised came from individuals and local businesses, not the grants.  

Marty and Rebecca are blown away by the response, and especially wanted to thank:

  • North Avenue Salon for putting out a donation jar, which collected $67 (enough to purchase one of Bella’s Bumbas’ most expensive seats. “That’s a kid rollin,” Rebecca said);

Now that the funding is in place, the real work has begun. Demolition of the old garage began Monday, and Rebecca hopes everything will be completed by the first week of September.

“We wanted it up before the snow flies,” Rebecca said. Thanks to unbelievable support from the greater Rochester community, that’s gonna happen. Which means not only will Bella’s Bumbas have a new, bigger garage, but even more kids all over the world can receive the gift of mobility.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 8/26/2025)

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Webster community mailbag

22 Aug

Our very own Webster Village Band will perform their final concert of the summer on Thursday Aug. 28 at the Harmony Park band shell on Phillips Rd. Titled “The Band Concert,” the selections will be traditional band standards, plus music from Billy Joel and Jim Brickman.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs and a cooler, and stretch out on the spacious lawn area in front of the band shell.

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Take your whole family to the lake next Thursday Aug. 28 and say “Farewell, Matey!” to summer at a kids’ concert featuring the Happy Pirates.

I didn’t get a press release about this, but pulled this additional information from an article written by Robert Grenier at the Webster Herald:

The concert … will feature songs performed by Captain Gully, Scuttle, Sharkbait and maybe even a few special guests. Kids attending the event are encouraged to dress up like a pirate and prepare to sing and dance along to sea shanties and other pirate songs. … Food at the event will be provided by Melt, who specialize in gourmet grilled-cheese sandwiches.

The concert, sponsored by the Webster Recreation Center, takes place Thursday Aug. 28 at Sandbar Park, 302 Lake Rd., from 6 to 7 p.m. Food and drinks will be available starting at 4:30 p.m. It’s completely free and open to the public. No registration is necessary.

Also from the Rec Center, here’s a fun new program for anyone who loves yoga and loves the outdoors. They’re called Yoga Hikes, and they’re held every Thursday through Sept. 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Each hike begins with a short meditation, taking in the sights, smells and sounds of nature, followed by a hike which will incorporate an “energizing yoga practice.” A different park, trail or open space is chosen for each week.

Cost is $20 per hike. Register on the Webster Recreation Center website — look for activity #237051 *A-G.

Don’t forget about the Village of Webster’s Fall Kick-off on Saturday, Sept. 6. Three special events have been scheduled that afternoon and evening beginning at noon when the Red Hot and Blue Band hosts their annual St. Jude’s Benefit Concert. This year they’ll be joined by Sarah De Vallière and The Tug Hill Band.

At 4 p.m., the ever-popular Beer Walk returns to the village, where you can sample beer, cider and food from local businesses AND AT THE SAME TIME, there’ll be a car show on West Main, featuring a wide variety of cars from classic cars to hot rods.

This is all sponsored by Webster’s Business Improvement District. Click here to find out more details on their website.

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St. Martin Lutheran Church will hold its Fall Drive-Thru Chicken BBQ on Saturday, Sept. 20 at the church, 813 Bay Road, Webster. The event begins at 4:00 p.m. and will continue until all dinners are sold out.

Dinners will include a half chicken, salt potatoes, coleslaw, roll, butter and cookie, and will cost $15.

The event will be drive-through only and there will be no advance sales; first-come, first-served. Cars should enter the parking lot, follow the signs, and purchase dinners using exact payment of either cash or
check. Cars will then pick up boxed dinners.

Proceeds from the BBQ will support both St. Martin’s Little Free Pantry and Christmas Stocking Project, which reaches more than 500 local youth in Monroe and Wayne counties.

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The Webster Comfort Care Home’s annual Casino Night has been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd.

“Mayor” Pete Kennedy will emcee this fun night, which will feature gaming tables, a silent auction, raffles, cash bar, appetizers, desserts and a soft pretzel station. Tickets are $75 per person and must be purchased by Sept. 12.

 Click here for tickets. All proceeds benefit the Webster Comfort Care Home.

Interested in helping out by becoming a sponsor? Click here for details: Casino Night Sponsorship Packages.

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Here’s a notice about a fund-raising walk sponsored by Embrace Your Sisters, a Canandaigua-based organization dedicated to providing emergency financial support for people with breast cancer. In the past, Webster residents have supported — and received financial support from — Embrace Your Sisters, so I’m pleased to share this information.

Embrace Your Sisters (EYS) announced their 2025 Positively Pink in Pittsford Walk Fundraiser will take place on Sunday, October 5, This year’s Walk takes place in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

The walk is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 5 at Pittford Sutherland High School. Registration begins at 9 a.m. in the school parking lot. The walk itself will begin at 10 a.m., along a 1.8-mile route through Pittsford residential streets and along the Erie Canal. This year’s fund-raising goal is $25,000, and every walker who raises at least $30 will receive a t-shirt. You can click here to register in advance. If you have any questions, contact Suanne Lippman, EYS Second Vice President and breast cancer survivor, at 585-624-9690.

Since its founding, EYS has raised more than $700,000 with the help of sponsors, friends, and business partners, to meet short-term emergency funding needs of breast cancer patients, across our 13-county Finger Lakes region.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 8/22/2025)

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Playtime for kids, coffee time for parents: a new café with something for everyone

20 Aug

A new play café will be opening soon in Webster, offering families the best of both worlds: a bright, kid-friendly space where children can dive into imaginative play, and a coffeehouse vibe, where parents can sip, chat, unwind and catch up with friends while their kids explore.

It’s called Play-a-Latte, and it’ll be opening in just a few weeks in Webster’s Towne Center Plaza (Target Plaza).

Co-founders (and sisters) Richelle Acker and Kristi Phillips still have a lot of work to do before they can open their doors to the community, but when they’re done the results will be charming. The once-empty storefront will have been transformed into a kid-sized small town, featuring eight different custom-built playhouses including a doctor’s office, supermarket, café, ice cream cart and more. A “central park” with kid-sized picnic tables will sit in the middle of it all.

It’s all meant to encourage imaginative play, giving children the chance to step into roles, tell stories, and let their creativity lead the way.

A separate sensory room will offer a quieter, calmer space for children who need it, with dim lighting, fidget toys and sensory tiles and boards.

But it’s not all about the kids. The comfortable couches, chairs and café tables sprinkled throughout will encourage parents to relax while their kids play.

“We want our focus to be on both,” Richelle said. “We want the parents to enjoy coming in and hanging out, while the kids play”; a place for moms (and dads) to gather and connect, get to know each other and make new friends.

And perhaps even enjoy a latte. No worries, though, if you don’t like lattes. The coffee bar will be serving up a variety of comforting beverages, including hot coffee, iced coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and maybe hot cider in the fall.

The idea for the play café first came up around last Christmas, when Kristi stumbled across something online that sparked her imagination. A teacher by profession, she envisioned it as the perfect way to stay home with her own son while still working with children. Teaming up with her sister Richelle, whose background in business and event planning was a perfect complement, made the venture feel like a natural fit.

As soon as Play-a-Latte opens, parents will be able to go online and book 90-minute playtime spots. (Pre-registration is strongly recommended so the space doesn’t get too crowded and they don’t have to turn people away.) Parents can also book private birthday parties in the café’s dedicated party room. And keep an eye out for special events throughout the year, like mommy-and-me yoga, or a build-your-own-bouquet class. Richelle and Kristi might even introduce a book club where the parents can meet while their kids play.

“We have infinite ideas,” Richelle said. “We want to start slow and build it up and introduce new things as we get up and running.”

Should be great.

You can check out the new Play-a-Latte space for yourself when they hold an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Sept. 12 at 9:30 a.m., followed by their grand opening on Saturday Sept. 13. The café is located in the very southwest corner of Towne Center Plaza (at Ridge and Holt roads) next to Cold Stone Creamery. In the meantime, you can check out their Facebook page here and website here. They’re also on Instagram (Playalatte_PlayCafe).

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 8/20/2025)

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Yarn artists needed!

19 Aug

You’ve read before here in my blog about the terrific community collaboration between Webster Community Chest, and Webster Hope. 

Their goal is to hold a food distribution event four times a year: Easter, Thanksgiving, and sometime during the summer. With the community’s support, these regular distributions will really help our Webster neighbors who face food insecurity every day.

The agencies are gearing up right now for their upcoming holiday season distributions, and they always like to include a few extra helpful items in addition to the seasonal meal items. In past years they’ve asked for hand-crafted cotton washcloths, which they’ll still gratefully accept. But this year they’re asking for a new item as well, “scrubbies,” to give their recipients a new useful, homemade tool.

Scrubbies are made from a different, more abrasive, type of yarn, and they can be used to help with “scrubbing” pots, pans and dishes.

The Community Chest first came up with the idea to include hand-made washcloths and scrubbies a while ago. They work just as well as paper towels and sponges to wipe the counters and do dishes, and are washable and reusable. So they save families a lot of money.

If you like to knit or crochet and would like to become part of the Community Chest’s “Webster Yarn Artist Army,” you are hereby officially invited to join them. Check below the blog for instructions on how to make them. It’s really easy and a great way to put a personal, homemade touch in the meal packages.

The coalition will be collecting the scrubbies year-round and hope to include them in every food distribution they organize, so they can never have too many! You can drop off your creations at Webster Hope during open hours, or in the donation drops at the Webster Public Library for both Webster Hope and Webster Community Chest. Or you can email Webster Community Chest at webcommchest@gmail.com or call them at 585-671-2060 to arrange for pick up or drop off.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 8/19/2025)

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Another great Jazz Festival in the books

17 Aug

The Webster Jazz Festival seems to get better every year.

This two-day festival has been held for almost 20 years now, and somehow the organizers (our very own Webster Business and Improvement District) keep finding ways to improve it. This year’s big upgrade was having two of Friday night’s “Jazz in the Pubs” bands — Sarah De Vallière and Deepak Thettu and Friends — actually play outdoors, on West Main St.

What a brilliant idea that was. Not only was it easier for the bands to set up and gave them more space to perform, but it allowed for much larger crowds to spread out and enjoy the music, taking advantage of the perfect August weather. It also helped increase the visibility of the vendors who had set up tents along the sidewalks.

Four other bands performed at four other indoor venues throughout Friday evening, allowing patrons to more or less “pub-hop,” and I was happy to see that Annette’s, Ploty’s, the Cobblestone and Jojo were all pretty busy.

I was also very happy to see a strong presence from The Coach. Fritz had set up a beer tent on the patio, which did brisk business all Friday and Saturday night. Community members could also support the bar by purchasing t-shirts and other items which read “Stand By Your Bar.”

I’ve posted a few photos from Friday night above, but also have many others in this Facebook gallery. I’ve also included a nice selection of photos taken by my friend Mary White, who was there Friday night with her much-better-than-mine camera.

“Jazz in the Streets” on Saturday was awesome as usual. The music was terrific, the food vendors were busy, and the twinkly lights made Main Street extra charming as night fell. My favorite thing to do on this night is to just walk around the perimeter of the crowd, because it’s guaranteed I’ll see someone I know. Friday night was no exception; I was able to reconnect with a dozen friends, some of whom I haven’t seen in several years.

Oh, and of course I took a lot of photos, too. Click here for my full gallery from Saturday night.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 8/17/2025)

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Business news in (and near) the village

16 Aug

Good things are happening in the village.

For starters, perhaps you noticed that there’s paper up in the windows of the former Garage Sale Store at 8 West Main, AND a “for rent” sign. This is an excellent turn of events, because that empty storefront has been an eyesore for a few years. And what a waste of good retail space. I look forward to seeing what will be moving in.

Plus, signs also went up this week in the windows of the former Roc Style restaurant at 5 West Main, announcing the imminent arrival of the Main Dive, which promises “good music, cheap drinks and a full menu.” I’ll be chatting with them in the next week or two, so stay tuned for more details.

The west half of the old Jeff’s Computer Service at 1 East Main (at the corner of South Ave.) has had black plastic up in its windows for a while now. I don’t have a line on what’s happening there, but will let you know as soon as I do.

Finally, just down the street — not in the village, but pretty close — a new “play café” will be opening soon in Towne Center Plaza (Target plaza), called Play-a-Latte. On its Facebook page, the owners describe the café as a “place offering imaginative play, birthday parties for children, and a place for parents to relax, connect, and enjoy a quality cup of coffee.” They’re planning a grand opening celebration in September, so stay tuned for more about them.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 8/16/2025)

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Webster Garlic Fest returns in just a few weeks

14 Aug

The Webster Garlic Fest is returning to the Webster Recreation Center on Saturday and Sunday Sept. 6 and 7.

This is a great family festival for anyone who loves all things garlic, and it keeps getting bigger and better every year. Somehow, organizers have managed to squeeze 170 vendors into this year’s festival, including crafters, food vendors, distilleries, wineries, food trucks, and of course lots and lots of garlic growers. There are so many vendors that they’ll fill the gymnasium and spill out onto the Rec Center grounds. Many of them provide tastings, samples and demonstrations. (Click here for a complete list of vendors.)

But even if you’re not a big fan of garlic, there are a lot of non-garlic vendors, and plenty else to see and do. Like, you can cozy up to some alpacas and baby goats (who like to wear pajamas), and even a huge 70-year old tortoise — and they all love to take selfies. There’ll be demos, and Mr. Wally the Balloon Man will be there.

Proceeds from the Webster Garlic Fest will benefit

  • Wreaths Across America: Honoring and remembering veterans resting in local cemeteries on National Wreaths Across America Day, December 13, 2025.
  • Blue Star Mothers ROC NY8 (military families): Building Care Packages for locally deployed service members and helping military families in our area.
  • Gold Star Mothers Rochester (mothers who have lost a child, spouse, sibling, or parent in active duty): Helping community veterans-in-need with meals, resources, and year-round support.

The Webster Garlic Fest will be held Saturday Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. There’s plenty of parking in the Recreation Center lot, and even more across the street in the former Xerox parking lot, where free shuttles will be transporting guests back and forth.

Single-day tickets are only $5, and children Under 12 are free. Click here to buy your tickets, or you can get them at the door.

Click here for a gallery of photos from last year’s festival.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 8/14/2025)

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Penfield Yoga Therapy named Chamber business of the month

8 Aug

Congratulations to Penfield Yoga Therapy, honored as the August Business of the Month by the Webster Chamber of Commerce.

Penfield Yoga Therapy, located at 2132 Five Mile Line Rd., is owned and operated by Kaitlyn Vittozzi, a certified yoga therapist who began teaching yoga in 2014. Early on, Kaitlyn noticed something beyond just physical movement: her students were looking for deeper healing, tools they could use off the mat to feel better physically, mentally, emotionally and energetically. That insight led her to pursue additional training to become a Certified Yoga Therapist, eventually opening her own space in Penfield after subletting in Webster for several years.

Penfield Yoga Therapy offers a specialized combination of yoga and mindfulness skills for new moms and corporate professionals who are struggling with stress, physical pain and the elusive sense of balance we all seek. Kaitlyn’s mission is simple yet powerful: to help people reconnect with their bodies, release tension, and get back to doing what they love — spending more quality, connected time with the people who matter most.

Penfield Yoga Therapy is a one-woman show, and Kaitlyn has been running the business since 2019. But her impact stretches far beyond her studio walls. She volunteers with ROCovery Fitness and 13thirty Cancer Connect, and sits on the board of KMB for Answers, helping raise awareness and support for those impacted by eating disorders.

The Webster Chamber of Commerce Events and Honors Committee presents a Business of the Month award to one of their member businesses at each of their monthly breakfast meetings. It’s one way the Chamber helps keep their member businesses and organizations visible throughout the Webster community.

The Webster Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly breakfast for Chamber members, guests, and visitors who are interested in investigating Chamber membership. The August Breakfast will be held on Friday Aug. 22 beginning at 7 a.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd. The monthly breakfasts are opportunities to network, meet new contacts, develop current business relationships, learn, and earn visibility for your business or organization. This is the largest monthly Chamber networking event in the Greater Rochester area, with 70-90 attendees. Bring a door prize for visibility and your business card, to take your chances on winning a prize, too!

Visitors and members are welcome. Please register here.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 8/8/2025)

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Webster community mailbag

7 Aug

Today’s mailbag is stuffed with reminders about many events I’ve already mentioned in the blog, but which might have slipped under your radar the first time.

This first one is coming up this Saturday Aug. 9, a “Hike Through History” at Webster Union Cemetery. This is a self-guided tour in which participants can step back in time and “meet” the some of our town’s earliest settlers. Historical re-enactors will be sprinkled throughout the cemetery to tell their stories from Webster’s earliest days. 

Hike Through History will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the cemetery, 345 Webster Rd. (corner of Rt 250 and Woodhull Road). Requested donation for the experience is $10, and all proceeds will be used to help repair the headstones of our earliest settlers. Read more about the event in this blog.

Take a test drive, win cool stuff

Also this Saturday, Aug. 9, West Herr Ford at 810 Ridge Rd. (corner of Five Mile Line) is hosting a Test Drive Fundraising Event from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., to benefit the Webster Community Chest.

For every person who registers and takes a quick test drive, West Herr will donate $40 to Webster Community Chest. If 50 people sign up and drive, that means a cool $2,000 for one of Webster’s coolest agencies. Every person who test drives will get a raffle ticket for a chance to win Buffalo Bills merchandise and other prizes. Plus, lunch (or coffee and donuts) will be provided.

No appointment is necessary. Just walk in, and choose from a whole line-up of cars and trucks (or they’ll bring out something else off the lot if you want). Just hop in, take a short drive, return and hop out. No hard sales, no obligation. Takes about 15 minutes.

Marching Band Food Truck Rodeo

The Webster Marching Band Boosters will host their 9th Annual Food Truck Rodeo on Thursday, Aug. 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Fireman’s Field on Sanford St.

Participating trucks include Bruster’s, Eat Greek, Macarollin, Mr. Squeeze, Rob’s Kabobs, Roc City Sammich and Tuscan Wood Fired Pizza. The event will also feature artisan vendors, a kids’ play place, face painting, plus a 50/50 and vendor raffles. Guests will also get a preview of this year’s Webster Marching Band show, “In Times Of” at 6 and 7 p.m.

Strike up the band

Our very own Webster Village Band will perform their final concert of the summer on Thursday Aug. 28 at the Harmony Park band shell on Phillips Rd. Titled “The Band Concert,” the selections will be traditional band standards, plus music from Billy Joel and Jim Brickman.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs and a cooler, and stretch out on the spacious lawn area in front of the band shell.

Donate school supplies

Webster NY Hope is collecting NEW supplies from now through Aug. 19 to stuff in backpacks for children in our community who are in need. You can see the entire wish list on the Webster NY Hope Facebook page.

Supplies can be dropped off at the Webster Public Library, or at Webster Hope during the agency’s open hours, Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Music at the Arb

This summer’s final Music at the Arb concert at the Webster Arboretum is scheduled for Thursday Aug. 14, featuring the String Brothers from 6:30 to 8 p.m. These concerts are held at the gazebo, and are free and open to the public. No registration is necessary. The Arboretum is located at 1700 Schlegel Rd.

More from the Arboretum

The Webster Arboretum will present their next educational program, all about Dahlias, on Tuesday Sept. 9 from 7 to 8 p.m.

The program will be presented by Patty Pirz, a local expert on the subject. Discover the culture, type, variety and care of the beloved dahlia. Learn how to grow and nurture these plants to their best advantage. It will be held in the Curry Building at the Arboretum, and is free and open to the public, but registration is requested.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 8/7/2025)

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Jazz Festival details: who’s playing and when

5 Aug

Get ready to dance in the streets in a few weeks, when the Webster Jazz Festival returns.

The event will stretch over two days Friday and Saturday Aug. 15 and 16, kicking off with “Jazz in the Pubs” Friday evening beginning at 5:30 p.m. Six different bands are scheduled to perform at six different village pubs and restaurants, with staggered start times, so you can visit visit several (or all) of the venues for a drink and a bite to eat, and enjoy as many bands as you like. The musicians represent some of the best from the Rochester music scene, including some returning favorites and some new faces.

Also that night, the Jazz Festival Street Fair returns with vendors set up up and down West Main.

The music continues Saturday night when jazz takes to the street.

Beginning at 4 p.m., an outstanding lineup of musical entertainment will perform from the big West Main Street stage, featuring musicians from around Rochester and Upstate. There will be some tables and chairs set up, but they go pretty fast, so plan to bring your own, set them up in the middle of the street and enjoy music all evening long. Food and drinks will be available from village merchants.

Here’s the line-up for both nights:

Friday, August 15, 2025 — Jazz in the Pubs

  • 5:30 p.m.: Marvin Dolly & Mel Henderson at JoJo Bistro, 42 East Main St.
  • 6:00 p.m.: Tim Forester Trio at Cobblestone on Main, 109 West Main St.
  • 6:30 p.m.: Andy Calabrese & Peter Chwazik at Annette’s Restaurant, 27 West Main St.
  • 6:30 p.m.: Sarah DeValliere and Emily Champion at Mary Wee Pub, 2 West Main St.
  • 7:30 p.m.: Paradigm Shift at Ploty’s Hometown Tavern, 27 West Main St.
  • 8:15 p.m. Deepak Thettu & Friends at Coach Sports Bar front patio (weather permitting), 19 West Main St.

Friday, August 15, 2025 — Jazz in the Street

  • 4 p.m.: Ryan Johnson and Escape Terrain
  • 5:15 p.m.: Bill Tiberio Band
  • 6:45 p.m.: Diana Jacobs Band
  • 8:30 p.m.: Judah Sealy and Friends

The Webster Jazz Festival is an outstanding event that really brings out the best the Village of Webster has to offer. The streets are packed with people, the hanging baskets and planters are in full bloom, and after dark the street is lined with twinkly lights. There’s dancing and drinking and eating, and so much fun for friends and family. Plus there’s no admission.

To find out more about the 2025 Webster Jazz Festival, and read more about the featured bands, visit the Webster BID website.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 8/5/2025)

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