Ten Ugly Men Festival Set to Rock Rochester Next Month

The Ten Ugly Men Festival, one of the most anticipated summer parties in Rochester, will be Saturday, July 23, at Genesee Valley Park from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. The event benefits local charities, including the Bright Eyes Fund for pediatric brain tumor treatment at Golisano Children’s Hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

The festival boasts sports tournaments, including KanJam, bocce, kickball and many others. There are also 5K and 10K races, as well as a number of band performances, food and a beer tent.

In order for the event to be a true success, volunteers are needed. Volunteers get discounted admission into the festival, as well as many other perks. To learn about volunteer opportunities, call (585) 273-5948 or email Michael.Fahy@rochester.edu.

“You get to attend the event for a discounted price, you get to help out a great cause while having fun at the same time, and you get to contribute by being outside enjoying the day with friends — what better way to donate your time?” said John Fitzsimmons, one of the “Uglies” who helps organize the event every year.

Fitzsimmons has a personal connection to the Bright Eyes Fund. His first wife, Kim, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in 2000 and passed away three years later despite aggressive treatment. Malignant brain tumors are the leading cause of death in children with cancer, and Kim wanted to make sure the latest treatments could be available to children in the Rochester area.

For more information on the festival, visit http://www.tenuglymen.com. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased at any Rochester-area Wegmans store.