SocialICE breaks attendance record

SocialICE marked its 10th year with a record turnout.

The three-day festival brought in an estimated 51,500 people to Rochester's Peace Plaza, the Rochester Downtown Alliance announced today. That's an increase from 40,000 in 2017, and 250 when the event began in 2009. The highest overall attendance recorded previously was 46,000 in 2016.

“SocialICE 2018 confirmed that there is a strong desire to enjoy the outdoors during the winter,” said Jenna Bowman, executive director of the RDA.

This year's SocialICE, according to the RDA, accounted for an economic impact of $1.8 million — a nearly 30 percent increase over last year.

Cover photo: Med City Beat