Roc Holiday Village will not be built this year, making it the latest event to be shelved because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year, about 125,000 people visited the village, built next to Martin Luther King Jr. Park, for events like a silent disco, visits with Santa and free skating.
Organizers released a statement Monday saying that the decision to cancel was a difficult one, but they realized social distancing during the events would be tough. They also said New York state’s guidelines limiting large public gatherings created logistical and planning challenges.
"We are so appreciative of the outpouring of support for Roc Holiday Village from businesses and visitors since the event’s beginning in 2018. People show up in droves,” co-founder Sean McCarthy said in a statement. “That's the magic. When we can all be together again, we will be there to make it once again the merriest time of all.”
The group is considering launching a scaled-down event later this year, and they expect to bring the village back in 2021.
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren echoed their sentiments.
"The City of Rochester’s Roc Holiday Village is an event that has quickly become one of Rochester’s most treasured annual traditions,” Warren said in a statement. “While we are disappointed that we will not be able to experience the magic and wonder that the village has provided our community the last two years, we absolutely look forward to celebrating the holidays together again downtown once it is safe to do so."
