Come for the Food Trucks, Stay for the Duck Race: Your Guide to Pittsford's September 19 Festival

September 19 is when Pittsford's outdoor season closes properly. The Pittsford Food Truck & Music Fest 2026 takes over South Main Street from noon to 9 p.m. — regional food trucks, live entertainment, and no admission charge. The Duck Drop Derby returns to the canal at 4:30, raising money for Pittsford Youth Services.

A Full Day at the Pittsford Food Truck Music Fest

A Full Day at the Pittsford Food Truck Music Fest

South Main Street between State Street and Locust Street closes to traffic for the day. Regional food trucks and local restaurants line the block, with live entertainment running from noon through 9 p.m. Games and activities fill out the afternoon, and admission is free for everyone who shows up.

Nine hours is room to come in waves. Families with younger kids tend to do better arriving earlier, before the games get crowded. The window between 5 and 7 p.m. — after the duck race, before the dinner crowd peaks — is a practical stretch to work through the food trucks. Evening entertainment runs through close at 9.

free admission means no commitment. You can arrive at noon or wander over at 6.

The Duck Drop Derby: Racing for Pittsford Youth

The Duck Drop Derby: Racing for Pittsford Youth

At 4:30 p.m., the crowd moves to Carpenter Park on the Erie Canal, a short walk from the festival block. The Duck Drop Derby releases rubber ducks into the canal and watches them race to the finish. It draws a crowd — kids especially — and it's one of the genuine highlights of the afternoon.

Pittsford Youth Services has served local youth and families since 1969. The Duck Drop Derby is their annual fundraiser embedded in the festival; proceeds fund counseling programs for Pittsford students and families. Tickets are available through PYS directly. The race runs fast and light, but the programs it supports reach kids in the district who need real support.

Making the Most of September 19

Making the Most of September 19

South Main Street closes at noon, so street parking there is gone for the day. The lots off Monroe Avenue and side streets north of the village center are the practical options — five minutes on foot from either. Cash is worth bringing; card readers at outdoor vendors are not always reliable.

The Erie Canal towpath between Carpenter Park and the festival block is worth walking while you're down at the duck race. It's a short stretch and gives you a canal-side view of the village the street doesn't.

If you want a good spot near the evening stage, move back from the canal before 5 p.m. The duck race pulls the crowd south, and the walk back takes longer than people expect.

September 19, noon to 9 p.m., South Main Street. The Duck Drop Derby is at 4:30 at Carpenter Park.