Shrek the Musical made for Octoberfest the Magical

Shrek and Donkey were on a mission to delight Saturday afternoon. Soon after this picture was taken they stumbled over traffic barricades at the end of Hanson Street. Then Donkey tried to thumb a ride out of town, but no car would stop to pick him up.

ROCHESTER - The skies may have been cloudy, but they were raining characters, not cats and dogs at Saturday’s Rochester October Festival.

The annual street party, held on Hanson Street and in Central Square and Factory Court was entertained by the cast of Shrek The Musical after their matinee at the Rochester Opera House, with Shrek, himself, leading the way.

Unofficial crowd estimates were unavailable, but Rochester Main Street Director Dennis Ottino said he and Main Street were thrilled with the crowd that showed up despite raw temps and gray skies.

The smell of chilidogs and grilled onions chased the dampness right out of the air on Hanson Street where vendors of all sorts lined the blocked off street with their food and wares.

At one end of the street children thrilled to petting cuddly rabbits, while at the other end Butterfingers Da Klown appearing with The Lebanon Voice did face painting and balloon animals.

Max Hodgdon, 2, of Rochester looks on as Alysha Turcotte, 2, of New Durham gets ready to pet a rabbit at Saturday's Octoberfest in Rochester. (Harrison Thorp photos)

In between kids of all ages ran a gastronomical gauntlet, with smells wafting from stalls featuring the food stylings of Happy Pappy’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Deputy Dawg’s food truck and Two Toads Subs, one of Rochester’s newest eateries.

Other food offerings in the downtown in conjunction with the fest included Dos Amigos and Bella Fresca.

If you couldn’t afford something yummy, Journey Church was giving it away, with free build-you-own-cookie-or-cupcakes with all the fixins. The church was also publicizing its food pantry to help augment the work already being done to help the city’s needy by Gerry’s Food Pantry.

There was plenty of free entertainment while shopping or eating as well, including selections from Shrek, the Musical, dancing by Studio 109, blues singer Joel Glenn Wixson, Happy Times Square Dancers and dancing by Corinne’s School of Dance.