Under sunny skies and temperatures in the 80s, the 117th annual Rochester Lilac Festival kicked off today.
Director of Monroe County Parks, Larry Staub, says the flowers are in bloom just at the right time.
"The flowers are awesome. This heat wave couldn't have come at a better time -- everything's popping and everything's coming out at once," Staub said.
Public relations manager for the festival, Randi Minetor, says there are plenty of new attractions this year, starting with a home and garden show on both weekends, and a brew fest Thursday and Friday.
She says there's also a new choclatier this year, "Lilac Chocolates" of Manhattan.
And they've moved the art in the park up to Reservoir Avenue to give people lots of room to walk around and enjoy the art.
County Executive Maggie Brooks says this festival sets the stage for what this community does in the summer months.
She says it has a 3-million dollar economic impact, and every year it attracts visitors from all over the
world.
There are dozens of free musical acts, plenty of food vendors and, of course, the flowers, all blooming in Highland Park through May 17th.
Some opening remarks from County Executive Maggie Brooks: