Tag Archives: Garlic Fest

Webster community mailbag

30 Aug

September is still a day or two away, but the September events are piling up, even more than they did over the summer. Looks like it’s going to be a busy fall.

It all really starts on Friday, Sept. 11, when the Village of Webster holds its annual September 11th Memorial Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park (Gazebo Park) on North Ave., beginning at 5:30 p.m.

It’s hard to believe that 2026 is the 25th anniversary of that awful event. The Village always does a very nice job commemorating it. The ceremony usually lasts around 45 or 50 minutes and includes first responders and local and regional political representatives who offer some comments. The Chorus of the Genesee or Village Band will also be there to perform patriotic tunes.

Chicken BBQ … yum

St. Martin Lutheran Church will host their next Drive-Thru Chicken BBQ on Saturday Sept. 12 from 4:30 p.m. until they run out. Dinners include 1/2 chicken, salt potatoes, coleslaw, roll, butter and cookie for just $15 (cash or check only). Pull into the parking lot, place your order using exact payment, and the dinner will be delivered to you as you drive up in your car. Proceeds will support the church’s Little Free Pantry and annual Christmas Stocking Project.

St. Martin Lutheran Church is located at 813 Bay Rd.

Health and Wellness Fair

The Webster Business Improvement District (BID) will host its 4th annual Webster Health and Wellness Fair on Saturday, September 12.

The fair will showcase businesses and professionals throughout our community that address all aspects of health and wellness. It will be held at Lattimore Physical Therapy, 70 Barrett Dr. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and there’s no charge to attend. The fair will feature all aspects of health and wellness, including physical, mental, environmental, social and financial health. Pharmacists from Wegmans will also be on hand for a vaccine clinic.

During the Wellness Fair, the BID will also host a free shredding event from 10 a.m. to noon in the parking lot.

This is a drive-through event. Please bring paper only, and staples do NOT need to be removed. Paper must be placed in cardboard boxes or paper bags (no plastic), with a limit of five boxes per vehicle.

Webster Museum program

The Webster Museum will host their first program of the fall season on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Karen Lankeshofer will speak about the life of cycling legend Elsa Von Blumen (1865-1935). Elsa gained national attention initially for her lengthy walks, but soon caught further attention for her race against a horse here in Rochester, and a 1000-mile bicycle trek over 6 days.

Fit for the occasion, Tim Warren will be atop the museum’s penny farthing bicycle to demonstrate the skills required to operate this venerable device.

The presentation will begin at 3 p.m. It’s free to attend and refreshments will be served. The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park

Vintage book sale

The next Friends of the Webster Public Library Vintage and Collectible Book Sale has been scheduled for Saturday, September 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the community room.

There will be 14 tables with about 250 books, grouped into the following table themes: U.S. Civil War; mystery, spy and suspense fiction; travel; juvenile fiction; art; animals, birds and nature; Rochester and Upstate NY; titles published by The Modern Library; American history; poetry; medical and health; and older fiction.

Nearly all books offered are in good or better condition, many with their original dust jackets in a protective plastic cover. Some are first editions or early printings. Most books being offered were published in the 20th century, and most are priced under $20.

The sale will be held Saturday, Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the community room of the Webster Public Library, 980 Ridge Rd.

And these things …

Also coming up this month:

  •  Webster Comfort Care Home’s 5th Annual Raise the Stakes Casino Night, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd. This is an exciting evening of gaming, prizes and fun while supporting a great cause. Click here to read more about it.
  • The Webster Garlic Fest, Saturday and Sunday Sept. 12-13 at the Webster Recreation Center. A “stinkin’ good time” for young and old. Click here to read more about that.
  • The Mud Run, on Saturday Sept. 19, also at the Recreation Center. This is sloppy, muddy fun for the whole family. Click here to read more about that.
  • The Village of Webster Beer Walk and Car Show, Saturday Sept. 19. The Car Show will be from 3 to 6 pm. on West Main St., and the Beer Walk will run from 4 to 7 p.m. Registrations for the Car Show are closed and no drive-up registrations will be accepted. Tickets are not yet available for the Beer Walk, but stay tuned here for more details when they become available.
  • The Webster Comfort Care Home hosts their annual Their Light Shines remembrance event on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at the home, 700 Klem Rd. Participants are invited to purchase a luminaria and personalize it for their loved one. They’ll all be placed around the home’s parking lot on the evening of Sept. 29 in loving memory of those we’ve lost. More information to come, but the luminaria are available for purchase now. They cost $15 each or $25 for two. Visit the Webster Comfort Care website to learn more.

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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 8/30/2026)

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Mark your calendars now for a stinkin’ good time

15 Aug

The Webster Garlic Fest is returning to the Webster Recreation Center on Saturday and Sunday Sept. 12 and 13.

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, 13 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 — like craft vendors and home goods — and plenty else to see and do. Like, you can cozy up to some alpacas and baby goats (who like to wear pajamas) — and they all love to take selfies. There’ll be demos at the vendor booths, you can learn how to make your own flower arrangements, Wally the Balloon Guy will be making balloons for the kids, there’s a duck pond, and step up to the dunking booth to drop Webster Supervisor Alex Scialdone (and other Town officials) into the tank!

You also won’t want to miss the crowning of the 2026 Webster Garlic Fest King and Queen, and meet County Snackula, the Garlic Fest’s very own garlic-loving vampire, fresh from the castles of Transylvania.

The Webster Garlic Fest will be held Saturday Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday Sept. 13 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. They’re sold at the door or you can click here to buy some in advance and save some time in line.

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.

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

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(posted 8/15/2026)

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).

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Webster Garlic Fest 2024 was a big success!

26 Sep

Organizers of the 2024 Webster Garlic Fest, held Sept. 7 and 8 at the Webster Recreation Center, report that the event was a great success.

The annual event attracted about 4,200 visitors, almost 1,500 more than last year, despite the fact that cool temperatures, rain and wind threatened to put a damper on the festivities both days. The festival featured 140 garlic, food and craft vendors, several food trucks and a balloon artist, plus a 70-year old tortoise, alpacas and baby goats in pajamas, all for the petting.

Proceeds from the Garlic Fest benefit three local organizations:

  • the Blue Star Mothers ROC — moms in the Rochester area who now have or have had sons and daughters serving in the United States military. The Blue Star Mothers will use their portion of the proceeds to prepare 266 care packages, which will be shipped out in November to our locally deployed service members. (If you’d like to donate to these care packages, please visit the Mothers’ Amazon.com wish list.) The funds will also help purchase items for the group’s annual Baby Shower for Military Families in April.
  • Gold Star Mothers of Rochester — who have lost an immediate family member in active duty — who will be providing complete Thanksgiving dinners to local military family members and veterans in need in our community.
  • Wreaths Across America — a nonprofit organization whose mission is to place a wreath on the grave of every veteran in the country. Webster will be participating in this effort for the third year on National Wreath Day, Saturday Dec. 14. In just two years, Webster has already become one of the best-represented towns in the nation, ranking in the top 4% in the country. Organizers hope to have an equally strong effort this year, with plans to honor 2,200 veterans in Webster Union, Webster Rural, Union Hill and Holy Trinity cemeteries. Proceeds from the Garlic Fest will sponsor about 1,000 of those wreaths.

One thousand wreaths sponsored by the Garlic Fest is good start, but clearly many more are needed. If you’d like to sponsor one, click here. They’re just $17 each and $5 of that cost will go to the Blue Star Mothers for their care packages. (To read about last Wreath Day, click here, and stay tuned for more information about this year’s event.)

Plans are already underway for next year’s Webster Garlic Fest. It’s been scheduled for Sept. 6 to 7 at the Recreation Center, and vendors are already lining up to be a part of it. Organizers want to add more family activities, and probably a second shuttle bus to make parking even easier.

Thanks to the Webster Garlic Fest, our little town is becoming known as garlic central for our part of the state. Be sure not to miss it next year.

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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 9/26/2024)

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Looking ahead to two great family events

19 Jan

Hip deep in the cold and snow of winter as we are now, sometimes it’s hard to poke our heads up and imagine that spring is not far off. Perhaps this thought will bring some cheer: Community Arts Day is only 12 weeks away!

This very family-friendly festival, which is marking its 47th year, showcases the musical and artistic talents of Webster School District K-12 students, and involves the entire community in a day to celebrate the arts. It was created as a collaborative effort to raise money to encourage and enhance fine arts programs throughout the district. 

This is always one of my favorite events of the whole year, because I see so many friends and neighbors performing or wandering the halls of Schroeder, and reconnect with lots of local organizations. I highly recommend you put it on your calendars now.

Details are still coming together, so if you’re a vendor or want to provide some entertainment, best keep on top of the plans by “liking” their Facebook page.

Looking even farther ahead, I recently got an email about this year’s Webster Garlic Fest, scheduled for Sept. 7 and 8 at the Webster Recreation Center.

This event seems to grow bigger and better every year. Reports are that last year it drew 3,000 people and had more than 100 vendors.

That means, if you’re a vendor and want to get on board (especially if you want a spot inside the Rec Center gymnasium), now is the time. The call has gone out for vendor/crafter/food truck registrations. Cost is $150 for a 10′ x 10′ indoor or outdoor space.

Click here to apply.

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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 1/19/2024)

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A “stinkin’ good time” returns to Webster in September

21 Aug

The Webster Garlic Fest is back, and it’s bigger and better than ever. 

After a three-year hiatus, one of Webster’s most popular family-friendly festivals, the Webster Garlic Fest, will be returning to the Webster Recreation Center on September 9 and 10. 

This year’s Garlic Fest promises to be the biggest one yet. Organizers report that almost 100 vendors, food vendors and food trucks, wineries and distilleries will be there, offering a wide variety of treats from clams, garlic shrimp and lobster tails from Ontario Seafood, to barbecue from Mission BBQ and fresh pasta from M.O. Pasta. (To see a whole list of vendors, visit webstergarlicfest.com.)

Plus, there will be free demonstrations, lots of family activities, informational displays from local agencies, and wine and whiskey tastings. So even if you’re not a huge fan of garlic, there will be plenty of vendors and activities for the entire family.  

The Webster Garlic Fest will be held Saturday Sept. 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. Admission is just $5, with ages 12 and under free, and will be sold at the door. Find out more on the Webster Garlic Fest Facebook page, or visit the website here.

All proceeds from the Webster Garlic Fest will benefit Wreaths Across America in Webster, which is dedicated to placing a wreath on the grave of every one of the 3,000 veterans who rest in Webster’s seven cemeteries. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit the Blue Star Mothers of Rochester, to build care packages for our locally deployed servicemen and women. 

Write a message on the “stars for our heroes”
“Adopt a hero” by sponsoring a Wreaths Across America wreath

Wreaths Across America and the Blue Star Mothers will both have informational booths at the Garlic Festival where you’ll be able to support both causes directly.

In the Blue Star Mothers’ “Stars For Our Heroes” booth, families will be able to write a message on a wooden star for our locally deployed service members. The stars will be included in the Mothers’ November care package shipment.

In the Wreaths Across America booth, community members can choose an “Adopt a Hero” ornament from the Christmas tree and sponsor a wreath in honor of the veteran whose name is written on the ornament. Wreath sponsorship only costs $17, and $5 of each sponsorship will be donated to the Blue Star Mothers to help fill and ship their care packages.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 8/21/2023)

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Webster community mailbag

17 Aug

Summer is quickly winding down, but the number of special events happening in these last weeks of the season have not slowed one bit.

Of course, one of the biggest events of the Webster year takes place this weekend, Friday and Saturday Aug. 18 and 19. It’s the Webster Jazz Festival, which for the last 17 years has brought some amazing jazz musicians to entertain us in the pubs and on West Main St.

The event kicks off with Music in the Pubs on Friday evening when 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 music continues Saturday night when jazz takes to the street. Beginning at 4 p.m., an outstanding lineup of entertainers will take to the big West Main Street stage, featuring musicians from around Rochester and Upstate. Bring some folding chairs and enjoy music all evening long. It looks like the weather will be perfect.

Click here to see my previous blog which includes the complete line-up of entertainers, or visit websterbid.com. You can also see a whole gallery of photos from last year’s Jazz Festival here.

The Webster Marching Band Boosters’ next Food Truck Rodeo is scheduled for Friday August 25 from 4 to 8 p.m at Webster Fireman’s Field.

The Marching Band Boosters sponsor various fundraising events throughout the year to help pay for the Webster Marching Band’s equipment, show productions, and competition-related trip expenses.

More than a dozen food trucks will be on hand, including The Meatball Truck, Roc City Sammich, Rob’s Kabobs, Kona Ice, Eat Greek, Chefs, ROCDilla, The Beer Wagon, Al Dente, Bay Vista Taqueria, Bruster’s, Mr. Squeeze and the Melt Truck.

There will also be face painting for the kids. (Clip the coupon from the poster.) Admittance to the rodeo is FREE, and all proceeds from the food trucks will benefit the Marching Band Boosters and Webster Marching Band members.

Webster NY Hope, in partnership with the Webster Public Library, is hosting a school-supply drive to help our local students have what they need to start the school year off strong.

Supplies are being collected at the Webster Public Library, 980 Ridge Rd., and will be distributed at Webster Hope’s Back-to-School Night on Tuesday Aug. 29.

Enlarge the flyer to see what supplies are being requested.

Also happening soon at Webster Hope: their annual garage sale, scheduled for Sept. 13 to 16 at 1450 Ridge Rd. This is always a huge sale, so make sure to put it on your calendar.

Speaking of garage sales, here’s a final reminder to drop off your donations for the upcoming Webster Museum Barn Sale, scheduled for Sept. 14 to 16 at 394 Phillips Rd.

The barn doors are open, and community members are invited to stop by anytime to drop off donations. Just head down the driveway to the barns, and donations can be left inside. Donation receipts are on the table. Although you can donate any day, museum volunteers are on site Monday mornings if you would like assistance unloading your donations.

Donations will only be accepted through Monday Sept. 4 (Labor Day) so museum volunteers will have plenty of time to get everything ready for the 14th.

Acceptable items include antiques, collections and collectibles, kitchen and household items, décor, small appliances, toys, tools, and small furniture. What CANNOT be accepted include books or magazines, computers, clothing, linens, baby cribs or car seats, large furniture, snow skis or water skis, large exercise equipment, audio or video tapes (VHS tapes, music cassettes, etc), or entertainment electronics, (TVs, stereos, DVD players, etc).  

I’ll be highlighting the barn sale again as it draws closer. But in the meantime, get those donations … un … donated!

Looking forward to September, the annual Webster Rocks ALS music festival is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9 at Firemen’s Field.

The festival is held to raise awareness for ALS in memory of Kacie Jones, a longtime employee of the Coach/Rubino’s, who passed away from ALS at 31 years old, less than two years after he was diagnosed. Proceeds will benefit organizations that fight to change the standard of case and empower people with ALS. (Visit www.healingals.org or www.teamgleason.org for more information.)

The festival will be held on Saturday Sept. 9 at the Webster Firemen’s Field on Ridge Rd. There’ll be food trucks and plenty of liquid refreshment. Doors open at 2 p.m. and an incredible music line-up starts at 3 p.m., featuring Anthony Blood, State Line, Brass Taxi, Dial Up and M80s. (Check the Facebook event page for more details about the schedule.)

Tickets are $20 in advance (available from the Coach Sports Bar, 19 W. Main in Webster) and at Eventbrite (but they charge fees, so stop by the Coach to save money). Cost is $25 the day of the festival. Admission is free for ages 12 and under.

If you can’t get enough music, here’s another FREE concert taking place that same day, Saturday Sept. 9 at Gazebo Park on North Ave.

It’s the second annual RHB St. Jude Benefit Concert, which this year features not just your hosts, the Red Hot and Blue Band, but also Sarah De Vallière, The M-T-V Jam Band (Moore Tyrrel and Vaughan) and The Tug Hill Band. Pub 235, Guida’s Pizza and Terry’s Tips And Beef will also be there with some great food.

This concert is becoming an annual event to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in honor of September being Child Cancer Awareness Month. The bands start performing at 1 p.m., and admission is free, but donations in any amount will be gratefully accepted throughout the show.

Those special events are just the tip of the September-entertainment iceberg. Here’s a quick look at several other events you’ll want to get on your calendar. I’ll provide more details in future blogs, so stay tuned.

  • Saturday and Sunday Sept. 9 and 10: Webster Garlic Fest at the Webster Recreation Center. Click here for more information.
  • Monday Sept. 11: Village of Webster 9/11 ceremony, featuring the Webster Village Band. Ceremony begins at 6 p.m. at Gazebo Park on North Ave.
  • Friday and Saturday Sept. 15 and 16: Oktoberfest to benefit Challenger Miracle Field. Click here for more information.
  • Sept. 16 to 24: Miracle Field Week, with several events to benefit Challenger Miracle Field, including the Oktoberfest (see above), a concert by the Zac Brown Tribute Band, a corn hole tournament, and more. Details here.
  • Saturday, Sept. 16: The Webster Community Bed Races. Click here for more information.
  • Saturday Sept. 23: Third annual Mud Run at the Webster Recreation Center. Read more about it in this blog. I WILL be there.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 8/17/2023)

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