Location and Parking
Highland Bowl is located near the corner of Robinson Dr. & South Ave. Out of respect to the neighbors, and to avoid parking tickets and towing, there is no parking in the neighborhood surrounding Highland Bowl.
Click here to enter a starting point and get driving directions.
Special Ground Rules:
No food or beverage will be allowed to be brought in the show. Food and
beverage will be available for purchase. Blankets are acceptable for the
festival. No lawn chairs will be allowed. Motion pictures are not permitted, however audio taping and photos for personal use are permitted.
Hotels and Camping
Staybridge Suites
http://www.staybridgesuites.com
1000 Genesee St
Rochester, NY 14611
(585) 527-9110
Camping: Webster Park 585-256-4950
Ryan's Point
Tents $20-$30 No Facility
Highland Bowl: A Brief History
1888
20 acres of Ellwanger & Barry's Nursery, adjoining the city reservoir, donated to city for park. Design by landscape architect Frederic Law Olmsted focused on horticultural. E & B donate rare trees and shrubs.
1890
Sept. 29, Children's Pavilion on hilltop is dedicated.
Planting of several thousand flowering shrubs begins.
1891
John Dunbar from Long Island is hired as a full time horticlturalist.
1895
Anonymous gift (by Walter Duffy & George Eastman) enlarges to 150 acres.
1898
May lilacs draw 3,000 visitors to the 22 acre garden. News of the spring show is spread by word of mouth, there had been no announcements.
1911
Bobsled runs open.
Highland Park Conservatory opens.
1932
Lilac Festival Committee takes over Lilac Sunday promotion
1947
Frederick Douglass statue moved from downtown (Central Ave. / St. Paul St.) to Highland bowl (near his home)
1948
June 11, GAR pageant for James A Hard, Rochester's last Civil War vet, 13,000 attend
1997
Johnny Cash, Little Richard, Charles Brown, Barenaked Ladies perform during Lilac Festival week
2006
Mavis Staples, Blind Boys of Alabama, Patrizio Buana add some soul to Highland Bowl
2007
Doobie Bros., Susan Tedeschi, Soulive shake up Highland Bowl