Rochester's annual Lilac Festival got off to a rousing start Friday, with hundreds of people taking part in a huge hug relay, many people hugging a total stranger for 3 seconds or more.
It was an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for Longest Hug Relay.
The event at the Lilac Festival fell short of that, but set a new record for the United States with 596 hugs, according to an adjudicator with Guinness World Records.
Many people stood in line for an hour or so, waiting to hug the person next to them.
And in many cases, that was a complete stranger.
But that didn't matter to Deniese Henson from Greece.
She says hugs are important.
"They've actually done studies on it. It actually helps the blood flow and increases the hemoglobin system. And when you get more blood and more oxygen in your system, and now you're just living better," she said.
Henson hugged a stranger, Timothy Krempa of Rochester.
"Like I was talking to my fellow huggers here, it's all about face to face contact and being personable with one another, getting to know your community and everybody around you," he said.
Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo says the hug relay should set the tone for the annual event.
"Certainly people look forward to coming here. The lilacs are in full bloom, we have all of our food vendors, great music. As you can see here today, from the hundreds of people who came out to hug it out. They are looking forward to a great week and we are too," she said.
Monroe County Parks director Larry Staub says the lilacs are likely in the best condition in 30 years, thanks to a cool stretch of weather the past ten days.
And a reminder that this year's Lilac Festival features a new entrance policy, requiring anyone 16 years old or younger to be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or responsible adult over 21.
The festival runs through May 21st.
Huggers in line during the relay at Highland Park:
County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo gets a big hug at the end of the relay: