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

Rochester By Water is a nonprofit organization that connects the community and visitors to Rochester's historic waterways through authentic, guided boat experiences and educational programs. Founded in 1991, RBW operates the iconic Sam Patch replica packet boat on the Erie Canal in Pittsford and the new modern yacht Riverie in downtown Rochester. Sam Patch features the signature canal experience of passing through a century old lock. Riverie cruises the Genesee River and Erie Canal, and provides a magical view of urban wildlife and the city skyline. Sam Patch and Riverie offer a wide spectrum of entertainment and education options for families, businesses, schools, and organizations. Themed cruises include live music, birding, guest experts, arts & culture, Erie Canal and Rochester history, and environmental science. Snacks and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are available for purchase. Online cruise booking is open now at rochesterbywater.org/cruises. Cruises range from $30 to $50 per adult with discounts for seniors, military/veterans, and students from 4-21 years old. Infants to 3 years old are free. Both vessels hold approximately 40 passengers and are available for private charters for celebrations, corporate events, and educational programs. For information on charters, visit our private Charters page: rochesterbywater.org/private-charters and fill out an inquiry form.

Sam Patch Tour Boat

Iron Smoke Distillery is a small batch, farm to table Distillery in Fairport, NY. It all started in 2011, in the backyard over some whiskey and a loaded smoker when our founder and chief trailblazer – musician Tommy Brunett, came up with the concept of combining two great American past times: great bourbon/whiskey making with an added subtle hint of Applewood BBQ’s smoked goodness. Our internationally acclaimed NYS farm distillery is where all the magic happens now. It starts with the finest locally sourced ingredients from family owned farms in the Finger Lakes Region. Our unique proprietary four grain mash bill is hand selected from the finest corn, wheat, barley, and rye in our region. In 2018, Iron Smoke's World Famous Watering Room and Sideshow was established, featuring a live event space and fully licensed bar on site. Our tasting room features all New York State wine, spirits and beer from IPA’s to IPZ’s and two rotating drafts. Whiskey may be the main attraction here at Iron Smoke Distillery but we also feature live acts in our sideshow area! We are proud to regularly host concerts and entertainment on our sideshow stage, plus the space is up for grabs for any event! Book your birthday parties, corporate shin-digs, weddings, seances and more! Tours & Tastings are available and must be scheduled in advance (please allow for one week’s notice) whiskey up!

Iron Smoke Distillery

Colonial Belle is US Coast Guard certified for 149 passengers, the largest tour boat on the Erie Canal, offering lunch, dinner, sightseeing cruises, themed cruises, private custom charters, and special events. Family owned/operated since 1989. Cruising between Fairport and Pittsford, NY mid-May through October.

Colonial Belle

Wine Bar located in the lower level of the DeLand House on Main with a great selection of wine, cocktails and food. Open Wednesday-Saturday, 4pm-10-pm.

Main and Vine

We are a full-service catering and food truck company that has excelled in private and corporate setting since 2012. We strive on customer service and providing the best products to our customers. We specialize in on-site custom catering for small and large events. Drop-off services, rehearsal dinners, cocktail receptions, birthday celebrations, also see us at all local festivals. In addition to catering, we also have a full service event center in Spencerport, NY. At Chef's Event Center & Party House, your event has exclusive access to the beautifully landscaped property for your special day as well as a beautiful banquet hall, a full-service bar and spacious party deck.

Chef's Catering

Modern twist on the typical sports bar located in the Cannery of Fairport, NY. We offer plenty of craft cocktails, a variety of over 60 canned beers ranging from IPAs, Ciders, Seasonals, Domestics and a few Non-Alcoholic beers. We try to keep the lists of cocktails and beers fresh and current with what is popular in western New York. Being in the Cannery we wanted to only serve canned beer based on the history of the area and this being the original canning factory. The name Tin Cup Social was a combination of this historical fact mixed with one of the greatest golf movies ever made, Tin Cup, and our motto when putting everything into this project, "just go for it". The food concept we wanted was that of a food truck style menu; we wanted to offer food that was simple but easy to share rather than be a typical sit-down dinner type of restaurant. Our current menu consists of Burgers, Tacos, Wings, Pretzels just to name a few as well as daily specials. We are always trying to expand our drink and food selections to meet the demand of our customers. Fairport has been very welcoming to us, and we look forward to being a part of this community for many years to come.

Tin Cup Social

The Museum building was originally the Spencerport Trolley Depot which serviced Spencerport as a stop on the Rochester, Lockport and Buffalo interurban trolley line from 1908 to 1931. After serving as a family home for 60 years, a massive restoration took place in the mid-2000s restoring it, moving it and transforming it into the Spencerport Depot and Canal Museum. The Museum has been open since 2007 and opens seasonally during the Erie Canal season. The museum displays history about the Erie Canal as well as telecommunication, transportation and local history. It sits alongside the Erie Canal in the center of Spencerport and doubles as a welcome center and boater’s facility.

Spencerport Depot & Canal Museum

The Texas Bar-B-Q Joint (TBJ), prides itself on being the best BBQ Restaurant and catering in the Rochester, NY area. Our Mesquite smoked BBQ, includes Ribs, Brisket, Pulled Pork and more. Our homemade sides are mouthwatering and definitely will be the talk of your party. We have been catering since 2004 and the restaurant in Spencerport was established in 2007 and Outlaw Potato Shack in 2014.. TBJ is family owned and operated.

Texas Bar-B-Q Joint

Mythical Escapes, the coolest escape rooms in Pittsford. From waking up inside special hibernation cells to being trapped in an abandoned meat packing plant, we choose our game themes to be uniquely refreshing. Thrilling storylines, engaging puzzles and tasks, room design, and lighting and sound effects add up to create a game environment that you will lose yourself in. Don’t miss our newest addition, Saloon escape room. Great fun for 2-9 friends, families, date night, team building, birthday celebrations. Open every day noon to 10 p.m. Book online at https://mythicalescapes.com/ Use code ROCB4G1 to get the fifth player free.

Mythical Escapes, LLC

Taste the next chapter of Horizons, the heralded restaurant inside Woodcliff Hotel & Spa. Horizons Modern Kitchen + Wine Bar features a seasonally inspired menu of refined American fare, composed of local and thoughtfully sourced ingredients. Situated atop the county's highest point, our dining room boasts a stunning view, where the rolling pastoral hills of the Finger Lakes meet the bustling cityscape of Downtown Rochester.

Horizons Modern Kitchen & Wine Bar

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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