Leo Roth

@leoroth

Organizers for the 119th Lilac Festival at Highland Park think they have a solution to curtail the violence that has marred recent festivals: A parental escort policy.

Beginning this year, those 16 years of age or under must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or responsible adult 21 or older to gain entrance. An escort may supervise up to five individuals and those persons must remain in close proximity to their escort at all times.

Those appearing to be under 17 and unsupervised should be prepared to show identification that includes a photo, such as a driver’s license or college ID to festival security.

This year’s event runs May 12-21. Hours of operation are 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. each day.

“This festival isn’t about dropping your kids off at the gate," Larry Staub, Monroe County Parks director said. “It’s in the spirit of how we want our festival to be — family-friendly, family-oriented. We want families there together. We look at this as a positive step forward."

In recent years, individuals have used social media to organize into large groups at the Lilac Festival. Last year, fights erupted in the afternoon of Day 2 after a crowd of 200 young people gathered along South Avenue, resulting in 10 arrests, seven of them juveniles.

Rochester police didn't have an immediate comment on the new policy.

Staub said festival producer Jeff Springut talked to contacts in other cities to see how they approach curtailing violence among young people at their venues. The festival board also researched possible solutions, Staub said, even studying how area shopping malls approach the subject.

“We looked at this and really felt this will encourage a family-friendly atmosphere,’’ he said. “We hope it increases attendance, that people will feel an extra level of safety, saying ‘If my kids are there, they are with me and if your kids are there they are with you.’ Hopefully it will encourage respect and good behavior.’’

From 2016: We will come up with a solution

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The parental escort policy was announced Wednesday at Highland Park along with the unveiling of the 2017 festival poster, created by artist Kurt Pfeiffer.

Other highlights for 2017

Hurlbut Hug: On May 12, festival goers can attempt to break the Guinness world record for the longest hug relay. The record is 1,290 people, set in Mexico City. Robert Hurlbut, president and CEO of Hurlbut Care Communities, is leading the effort. Register here.

On May 12, festival goers can attempt to break the Guinness world record for the longest hug relay. The record is 1,290 people, set in Mexico City. Robert Hurlbut, president and CEO of Hurlbut Care Communities, is leading the effort. Register here. Garden Battles: The second annual Garden Battles is May 13, testing the gardening skills of media celebrities including Sarah Taddeo and Will Cleveland from the Democrat and Chronicle, Scott Hetsko, Mark McLean, Bill Moran, John DiTullio, Dino Kay, Gary the Happy Pirate and a team from WROC-TV (Channel 8). Festival visitors can vote on each celebrity’s "gardenscape'' creation with $1,000 for first place on the line.

The second annual Garden Battles is May 13, testing the gardening skills of media celebrities including Sarah Taddeo and Will Cleveland from the Democrat and Chronicle, Scott Hetsko, Mark McLean, Bill Moran, John DiTullio, Dino Kay, Gary the Happy Pirate and a team from WROC-TV (Channel 8). Festival visitors can vote on each celebrity’s "gardenscape'' creation with $1,000 for first place on the line. Craft Beverage Expo: Runs May 18-20 featuring food pairings with craft products produced by 35 breweries, 15 wineries, nine cider houses and six distilleries. Tickets are $20 ($10 for designated drivers). The event runs daily 12:30 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 8:30 p.m.

Runs May 18-20 featuring food pairings with craft products produced by 35 breweries, 15 wineries, nine cider houses and six distilleries. Tickets are $20 ($10 for designated drivers). The event runs daily 12:30 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 8:30 p.m. Lilac Run: More than 3,000 runners from across the region are expected for the annual 10K run May 21, along with a 5K. New is the Dunkin' Donuts Dash, a half-mile sprint down Highland Avenue to eat mini-doughnuts followed by a sprint back to the start/finish line. Proceeds benefit Willow Domestic Violence Center and there’s a post-race party. Register for the Lilac Run events at rochesterevents.com/lilac-festival/lilac-run.

More than 3,000 runners from across the region are expected for the annual 10K run May 21, along with a 5K. New is the Dunkin' Donuts Dash, a half-mile sprint down Highland Avenue to eat mini-doughnuts followed by a sprint back to the start/finish line. Proceeds benefit Willow Domestic Violence Center and there’s a post-race party. Register for the Lilac Run events at rochesterevents.com/lilac-festival/lilac-run. Music performances: Local and major national acts, 80 in all, perform free from May 12-21. Bands include Start Making Sense, Get the Led Out — The American Led Zeppelin, Skycoasters with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Gene Cornish, The Mowgli’s, Ripe, Lettuce, Rusted Root, Gedeon Luke and the People, Jonny Lang, Quinn Sullivan, Big Head Todd and The Monsters, Kat Wright, Zac Brown Tribute Band and Turkuaz.

Local and major national acts, 80 in all, perform free from May 12-21. Bands include Start Making Sense, Get the Led Out — The American Led Zeppelin, Skycoasters with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Gene Cornish, The Mowgli’s, Ripe, Lettuce, Rusted Root, Gedeon Luke and the People, Jonny Lang, Quinn Sullivan, Big Head Todd and The Monsters, Kat Wright, Zac Brown Tribute Band and Turkuaz. Go to rochesterevents.com for further details and to register for Lilac Festival events. Here's the lineup and details.

The Lilac Festival draws 500,000 people annually to Highland Park and has a $3 million economic impact, said Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo.

LROTH@Gannett.com

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