Lilac Festival one of many local 'sense of place' events that draw Rochesterians together

Dear D&C Subscribers --

OK, so the weather didn't fully cooperate with Rochesterians' enjoyment of the first major warm-weather festival of the year -- the Lilac Festival.

Yet in between the rain showers and the chilly air, plenty of people managed to enjoy themselves. If you haven't, please check out our News Director Scott Norris' photo gallery of the festival's parade.

One of the Democrat and Chronicle's goals is to ensure our journalists are present at events where many of you are present. The Lilac Festival, the Jazz Festival, the Pride Parade, the Puerto Rican Festival and Fairport Canal Days are among the events where tens of thousands of people gather. We want to serve this interest in our region's "sense of place" events through photo galleries, social media posts such as Instagram Reels and sometimes live coverage.

Last year, our journalists had tables at events including the 19th Ward's Square Fair and the Puerto Rican Festival. It was an opportunity for us to meet people and listen to their interests and concerns. We hope to do more of that in 2024.

Journalists improve when we show up and listen and learn. If we're doing so while thousands of people around us are enjoying food and music and traditions and local culture, all the better.

Each week, usually on Sunday evenings, we'll email you highlights of our reporting and videography created exclusively for our subscribers. And we'll share with you some "behind-the-scenes" tidbits on how such journalism comes to be.

Below are some other stories written only for our subscribers you may have missed this month.

Thank you for your continuing support of local news in Rochester. We’re greatly appreciative.

Sincerely,