THE START …
THE START …In the spring of 2005, two Fairport residents, Rob Burch and Andy McDermott, were looking for a little anarchy. Not the hurting kind, just something outside the norm of tried and true that would benefit a local community organization, and, by extension, all mankind.
Such was their nature.
After several marathon sessions at local establishments debating the issues in and around the Fairport area, they emerged with a singular plan that survived both the evening’s many rounds of heated discussion, and the next day’s positive review of the same.
And so was born the Fairport Music Festival.
THE FESTIVAL …
In addition to the sixty plus bands that provide non-stop entertainment for this one-day. two-night show, the event includes children’s activities, games, crafts, and festival foods provided by many area food trucks and vendors. There is even a section for not-for-profit agencies to advertise their mission presence in the community.
THE RESULTS …
Now approaching its 22nd year of operations, the Festival has grown into a local and regional favorite for thousands to celebrate the event and the community’s great fortune in having a stand-alone Children’s Hospital in the greater Rochester Area.
To date, the Fairport Music Festival has generated over $3.2 million, including over $320K in 2025, for non-budgeted GCH needs.
Here is a listing of some of the FMF efforts to date:
PEDIATRIC TREATMENT CENTER PLAYROOM – $125,000
GIRAFFE OMNIBEDS (2) – $80,000
GET WELL NETWORK EDUCATION/ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM TVS –$50,000
PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA MACHINE – $50,000
PRIVATE PATIENT ROOM – $100,000
MAJOR NURSE STATION – $100,000
7TH FLOOR PLAYROOM – $250,000
PEDIATRIC PLAY ENVIRONMENT – $10,000
CARDIAC SURGICAL SUITE – $750,000
CARDIAC MONITORS – $25,000
PT/OT – $25,000
MONITORS – $30,000
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER – $100,000
AMBULANCES – $50,000
THE HOEKELMAN CENTER at GCH – $25,000
DIALYSIS MACHINES – $50,000
GCH Simulation Lab – $256,824
Pediatric Behavioral Health Creative Art Therapy – $10,000
CHANGE Hoekelman Center total to $50,000
Virtual Reality Education Project (Zoo Book) – $20,000
100% of the proceeds are donated to Golisano’s Children’s Hospital at Strong and all involved in producing the event do so on a volunteer basis.
NEWS UPDATE FROM THE 2025 FMF:
The Fairport Music Festival proudly presented the Golisano Children’s Hospital a check for $320,829.26 from the 2025 event.
To date, with your generosity, we have already raised $3,243,129.00 for GCH!
Thank you for your continued support of the festival and Golisano Children’s Hospital – let’s keep going!
“As the new Physician-in-Chief at GCH, I have been humbled to learn about the incredible philanthropic support from our community that helps us to provide the very best healthcare for children in our region. Our friends at the Fairport Music Festival share our commitment to help each child meet their full potential, and set the bar through their long-standing support and substantial generosity.”
Jill Halterman, MD, MPH
Professor and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics
Physician-in-Chief of Golisano Children’s Hospital
University of Rochester Medical Center
For any questions about volunteering for the festival, please email volunteer coordinators Leslie White and Kathy Clark.