Lagniappe, Big, Bright Light Show coming up

Downtown Rochester businesses will be offering customers "a little something extra" on Monday, November 20, during the city's annual Lagniappe event that marks the start of Rochester's Big, Bright Light Show. Creole for "a little something extra," "Lagniappe" runs from 6 to 9 p.m. in appreciation of customers supporting local merchants. The event includes horse-drawn carriage rides at E. Third and Walnut, holiday music performances, a visit from Santa Claus and additional family fun. The Big, Bright Light Show program will be hosted by Channel 7's Dave LewAllen with help from Rochester Mayor Cathy Daldin, starting at 6:45 p.m., at E. Fourth Street. Lights will officially light up downtown at 7 p.m., with a visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus and a small herd of reindeer capping off the program. Children may visit with Santa from 7:15 to 9 p.m., and while magic sleigh rides aren't available, free horse-drawn carriage rides, sponsored by Retro Fitness Rochester, will be available from 6 to 9 p.m. at E. Third and Walnut. Musical entertainment starts at 6:20 p.m. and includes performances by the Meadow Brook Carolers and Jennifer Kincer and the Violettes. "The Big, Bright Light Show is holiday magic personified; it is something you have to see to believe," said Kristi Trevarrow, executive director of the Rochester Downtown Development Authority (DDA). "This holiday tradition is one-of-a-kind, and the perfect compliment to the one-of-a-kind shopping experience one will find in downtown Rochester." Now entering its 12th year, the light show features seasonal lights from 5 p.m. to midnight every night through January 8, with additional Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in January. Displays begin at South Bridge and extend to University Drive, and also includes buildings on Fourth Street from Walnut to Water Street.