Name: Writing the Words They Erased at Irondequoit Public Library
Start: 2026-10-06
End: 2026-10-06

Be transported around the world as you come face to face with Masai giraffes, red pandas, African elephants, a southern white rhino, California sea lions, and much more. Enjoy the brand new Animals of the Savanna, feed the giraffes, play in the Tropics Adventure Zone and enjoy the tram, which transports you from the front of the Zoo to the back. Your visit directly helps save animals from extinction, as you support the efforts of Seneca Park Zoo, a national leader in species survival and conservation action. Seneca Park Zoo is involved in conservation efforts locally and globally, including reintroducing lake sturgeon to the Genesee River, supporting reforestation in Madagascar, and more.

Seneca Park Zoo

Don't miss out on an unforgettable animal adventure! Get $2 off your admission to the Seneca Park Zoo and embark on a wild journey through our lush, animal-filled habitats.

Visit Seabreeze Park – located between Lake Ontario and Irondequoit Bay. It’s the Finger Lakes Region’s #1 summertime family fun destination. Enjoy the excitement of four roller coasters, a classic wooden carousel, thrill rides, plenty of stuff just for the younger kids, a midway of food and games, outstanding live entertainment, plus a waterpark complete with a wave pool, tube slides, body flumes, a special kiddie section and more. Each summer, hundreds of groups let us do the work while they have all the fun. Whatever your group, corporate, community, camps and more -- you can save on a day of fun. We have discount pricing for groups of 15 or more on rides and picnic packages!

Seabreeze Amusement Park

Groups & Seabreeze go great together!  Explore these great group experience opportunities at Seabreeze.

The Strong National Museum of Play is the ultimate play destination for all ages! Explore upstate New York’s largest year-round cultural attraction and experience two floors—more than a city block long—of hands-on, dynamic, interactive exhibit spaces. Discover the world's largest collection of toys, dolls, and games. Play your way through video game and pinball history, leap into the world of American comic book superheroes, and move like a playing piece on a giant game board. Enjoy a 1918 carousel; indoor, tropical butterfly garden; food court; diner; and more. Meet history’s playful side in The Strong’s three halls of fame. Go hands-on with the toys beloved by generations in the National Toy Hall of Fame; learn about toy industry luminaries such as Milton Bradley, Walt Disney, Jim Henson, and George Lucas of the Toy Industry Hall of Fame; and see how electronic games are changing the way people play, learn, and connect with each other in the World Video Game Hall of Fame. The Strong is open 362 days a year and is centrally located in Rochester, New York. Visit museumofplay.org or download The Strong Museum Guide mobile app to plan your visit today. Parking is available in the museum's garage for $5. ATM on site.

The Strong Museum

Save $5 with code ROCSPORTS

Strong National Museum of Play - Rochester’s ultimate destination for hands-on fun and adventure for all ages

Stop by Flight Downtown and meet the new owner, see the beautiful changes and follow us on social media for entertaining events. Flight Downtown offers wines, beers, ciders and small plates. We will always have something new to try. During the nice weather, enjoy our delightful covered patio. Reach out to us for information on private events and fundraising. Cheers!

Flight Wine Bar Downtown

Every Monday, Flight gives 10% off your final bill.  Reservations are always encouraged.

The Union Tavern, formerly the Reunion Inn, is located in the beautiful historic Sea Breeze neighborhood. Opening June, 2019, this New England style tavern features delicious food, cold drinks and a warm and welcoming atmosphere! Our menu consists of delicious, seaside favorites, ample appetizers for many to share, hearty comfort food and home-style entrees. Cocktails are a delightful mix of classic and creative, something old and something new. We have a large variety of beer, wine and cider featuring some of our local favorites!

The Union Tavern

Ever wanted to pack it in and head south like the lyrics of a Jimmy Buffet tune? Just visit Marge’s Lakeside in Seabreeze, NY. Open all year long, Marge’s is more than just a beloved dive bar on Lake Ontario, but a piece of Rochester’s history whose walls show a visual timeline of the patrons and parties that have made it a destination since the 1960’s. From the tiki bar and summer sunsets to warm winter weekends next to ‘Rochester’s Best Jukebox’, you don’t have to pack anything to get away from it all.

Marge's Lakeside Inn

Kodak Center is a public gathering place for entertainment and events conveniently located minutes from downtown Rochester with more than 1,000 available parking spaces. The 1,968-seat theater hosts a variety of large-scale, national touring concerts, comedy, theatre, family and film shows, as well as community events such as recitals, competitions and graduations. The facility also offers multiple event spaces available to rent for any private occasion, such as meetings/conferences, wedding/galas, birthday/anniversary parties and fundraisers. Learn more about booking and rental opportunities at https://www.kodakcenter.com/p/book. View the current schedule of upcoming entertainment and events at https://www.kodakcenter.com/events.

Kodak Center

Since 1958, Fabulous Flowers has been Rochester, NY's leading flower and gift shop for occasions throughout Monroe County. Family owned and operated by the Dougherty's, the shop boasts a talented staff of award-winning designers. Fabulous Flowers is located at 217 West Ridge Road across from Eastman Business Park.

Fabulous Flowers and Gifts

The City of Rochester Public Market, located at 280 North Union St. in Center City, has served the community since 1905 and offers an huge assortment of fresh seasonal produce direct from area farmers as well as from around the country and world; meats and seafood; eggs and cheese; baked goods and pasta; specialty and prepared foods, dry goods and general merchandise; clothing and jewelry; and much much more! On the Market grounds and in the surrounding Market Business District are cafes, coffee shops, bakeries, full service restaurants, food stands, a brewery, a distillery, art studios and galleries, and much more. The Market's outdoor and indoor vendor sheds are open year-round: Tuesdays and Thursdays 6 am to 1 pm, and Saturdays from 5 am to 3 pm. On Saturdays during the warmer months, shoppers can find over 300 vending stalls full of all kinds of goods and goodies! In addition to the regular Market shopping days, the City offers almost 50 days of free-admission special events at the Market, including Flower City Days Horticultural Sales, Community Garage Sales, Food Truck Rodeos, Bands on the Bricks, Halloween at the Market, and Holidays at the Market. See the Public Market Special Events page! The City of Rochester Public Market is the most diverse gathering in the region; a source of character, culture, and community; and a place to get a huge variety of affordable foods and goods.

Rochester Public Market

The International Plaza offers a unique gathering space that celebrates and builds on the rich arts and cultural assets of our surrounding neighborhood. It is a hub where local entrepreneurs and businesses can showcase and sell their products and services in a low-risk, flexible environment, fostering neighborhood economic development the International Plaza, 828 N. Clinton Ave. Managed in collaboration with the City of Rochester and the Ibero American Development Corp., the International Plaza brings the world to Rochester with a variety of food, gifts and entertainment from vendors and performers highlighting a wide assortment of global cuisine, culture and heritage. Community partners will also be on site to present information on valuable services and resources. Parking is available in their lot. Visit the website for an updated list of events during the spring, summer and fall.

The International Plaza

Rochester, NY, is the third-largest metropolitan area in New York State, nestled along the southern shore of Lake Ontario. With a proud sports tradition, Rochester is home to iconic teams like the Rochester Red Wings (MiLB), Rochester Americans (AHL), Rochester Knighthawks (NLL), and Flower City Union (NPSL). Our vibrant sports culture thrives across all levels, from youth clubs and high schools to elite collegiate programs, creating a strong, year-round foundation for athletic excellence.

The Rochester NY Sports Commission champions Monroe County through the power of sports tourism. By attracting championships, invitationals, and tournaments across a wide range of disciplines, we help fuel the region’s economy and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Each year, Rochester welcomes a growing roster of sporting events, showcasing our top-tier facilities, supportive community, and dedication to teamwork on and off the field.

We invite event organizers, rights holders, and sports professionals to discover why Rochester and Monroe County are ideal destinations for your next competition or tournament. Let’s play in Rochester!

Visit Rochester

*Join us for a generative writing workshop against censorship at Irondequoit Public Library!*

This workshop is presented as part of our [Rochester Reads 25th Anniversary](https://writersandbooks.org/rochester-reads/) programming. Participants in this workshop will read excerpts on the subject of censorship from one of our 2026 Rochester Reads selections, Omar El Akkad’s *One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This*.

What is the role of the writer in an era of increased censorship, where the chilling of speech is a central tactic to suppress dissent, freedom, and social justice? Inspired by BELONG by Gianna Stewart this accessible, generative writing workshop invites you to “take back” one or more words on PEN America’s “Banned Word List” and say exactly what it means to you. Whether in poetry or prose, you’ll explore the associations, images, and personal definitions you have for words the powerful want to erase. Led by Tyler Barton, the workshop will include short readings of powerful works of literature that reclaim language, as well as prompts to get you thinking and your pen moving.

This event is organized in partnership with Irondequoit Public Library.

Read more about BELONG by Gianna Stewart, RoCo’s new public artwork, [HERE](https://www.rochestercontemporary.org/exhibitions/belong/)

**ABOUT THE WORKSHOP LEADER**  
**Tyler Barton** is the Artistic Director of Writers & Books and the author of Eternal Night at the Nature Museum and The Quiet Part Loud. He has taught writing to children, high schoolers, college kids, library patrons, incarcerated individuals, nursing home residents, and new immigrants. He directs the Joe Flaherty Legacy Writing Workshops for Writers & Books and co-founded Fear No Lit with the artist Erin Dorney. Learn more at tsbarton.com.

Writing the Words They Erased at Irondequoit Public Library

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