Spring has sprung, and it's time to celebrate the amazing collection of flowers that is Highland Park. The annual Lilac Festival does that and more; it's the unofficial start of Rochester's busy summer festival season. From Friday, May 11, through Sunday, May 20, Highland Park will be home to dozens of musical acts, kids' events, races, food vendors, craft shows, and more. Here's a guide of the highlights. For a full schedule of events check out www.lilacfestival.com. Unless otherwise noted admission to all events is free.

Friday, May 11

10:30 a.m.: Area school bands, Lilac Stage

Noon: Opening ceremonies, Lilac Stage

12:30-2 p.m.: Area school bands, Lilac Stage

12:30 p.m.: Mike Kornrich (banjo/guitar), Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

4:30 p.m.: Mike Zale, Lilac Stage

5:30 p.m.: Chris Trapper, Lilac Stage

6 p.m.: Chris Wilkinson (magic), Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

7 p.m.: Mike Doughty (pop/rock), Lilac Stage

Saturday, May 12

10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.: Arts & Crafts Show

11 a.m.: Lilac Parade, Main Stage

12:30 p.m.: The Buddhahood, Lilac Stage

1 p.m.: The Dinner Dogs, Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

2 p.m.: "Tiger" Tom Walsh, Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

2 p.m.: Streamline, Lilac Stage

3 p.m.: Chris Wilkinson (magic), Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

3:30 p.m.: String Theory

4 p.m.: The Dinner Dogs, Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

5 p.m.: Airplay, Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

5:30 p.m.: Promise

6:30 p.m.: Gary the Happy Pirate, Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

7 p.m.: Maria Muldaur (blues/gospel/jazz/folk), Lilac Stage

Sunday, May 13

10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.: Arts & Crafts Show

11:30 a.m.: Urban Transit, Lilac Stage

1 p.m.: Ellen Oakes Kerr, Lilac Stage

2 p.m.: Musical dramatization of Hyam Plutzik's "Spring of Lilac", Lilac Stage

2 & 4 p.m.: Larry Moss (airigamist), Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

2:30 p.m.: Almost Tomorrow, Lilac Stage

3 p.m.: Chris Wilkinson (magic), Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

4 p.m.: SpiritEast, Lilac Stage

5 p.m.: Airplay, Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

5:30 p.m.: White Devils, Lilac Stage

7 p.m.: C.J. Chenier (zydeco), Lilac Stage

Monday, May 14

10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.: Area school bands, Lilac Stage

12:30 & 6 p.m.: Mike Kornrich (banjo/guitar), Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

5:30 p.m.: Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, Lilac Stage

7 p.m.: Sammy Kershaw (country), Lilac Stage

Tuesday, May 15 (Latino Day)

10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.: Area school bands, Lilac Stage

12:30 p.m.: Mike Kornrich (banjo/guitar), Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

2:30 p.m.: Juanito Pascual, Lilac Stage

4 p.m.: Carmireli, Lilac Stage

5:30 p.m.: de Sol, Lilac Stage

6 p.m.: Chris Wilkinson (magic), Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

7 p.m.: Spanish Harlem Orchestra (salsa), Lilac Stage

Wednesday, May 16 (Seniors Day)

10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.: Area school bands, Lilac Stage

11 a.m., noon, 1 & 2 p.m.: Lilacs ‘N Seniors Lunch, reservations required ($5.75)

12:30 & 6 p.m.: Mike Kornrich (banjo/guitar), Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

2 p.m.: Broken Avenue, Lilac Stage

3:30 p.m.: Upbeat!, Lilac Stage

5 p.m.: The Legendary Dukes, Lilac Stage

6:30 p.m.: Showvinistics, Lilac Stage

7 p.m.: Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics (r&b), Lilac Stage

Thursday, May 17

10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.: Area school bands, Lilac Stage

Noon-7 p.m.: Wine, Jazz ‘n Blues Farmer's Market, Big Top Tent

12:30 p.m.: Mike Kornrich (banjo/guitar), Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

2:30 p.m.: In2Rhythm, Lilac Stage

4 p.m.: Dubblestuff, Lilac Stage

5-6:30 p.m.: Foodlink Benefit Gala, Lamberton Conservatory ($50)

5:30 p.m.: The Coupes De Villes, Lilac Stage

6 p.m.: Chris Wilkinson (magic), Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

7 p.m.: Edgar Winter (rock), Lilac Stage

Friday, May 18

10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.: Area school bands, Lilac Stage

12:30 & 6 p.m.: Mike Kornrich (banjo/guitar), Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

7 p.m.: Uncle Plum (rock), Lilac Stage

Saturday, May 19

10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.: Art in the Park Art Show, along South Avenue/Highland Drive

1 p.m.: Amadeus Chorale, Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

2 p.m.: "Tiger" Tom Walsh, Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

3 p.m.: Chris Wilkinson (magic), Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

4 p.m.: The Dinner Dogs, Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

4 p.m.: Park Avenue Band, Lilac Stage

5 p.m.: "Tiger" Tom Walsh, Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

5:30 p.m.: Sim Redmond, Lilac Stage

7 p.m.: Flynnville Train (country), Lilac Stage

Sunday, May 20

8 a.m.: MedVed 5K Race, Highland Avenue ($18-$20)

9 a.m.: MedVed 10K Race, Highland Avenue ($18-$20)

10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Art in the Park Art Show, along South Avenue/Highland Drive

11:30 a.m.: Meddling Kids, Lilac Stage

Noon: Justified, Lilac Stage

1 p.m.: The Dinner Dogs, Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

1 p.m.: The Demos, Lilac Stage

1:45 p.m.: Dave McGrath Band, Lilac Stage

2 p.m.: "Tiger" Tom Walsh, Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

2:30 p.m.: Matt Valario Band, Lilac Stage

3 p.m.: Chris Wilkinson (magic), Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

3:30 p.m.: JB and Company, Lilac Stage

4 p.m.: The Dinner Dogs, Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

4 p.m.: Julie Lloyd, Lilac Stage

5 p.m.: Airplay, Lilacs ‘N Kids Zone

5:15 p.m.: Flint Creek, Lilac Stage

5:30 p.m.: Blue Jimmy, Lilac Stage

7 p.m.: Roomful of Blues (barroom stomp/swing), Lilac Stage

Parking information: It's never a picnic, that's for sure. Don't park on side streets unless you want a ticket or your car towed. On the weekends, park for free at Monroe Community College (1000 East Henrietta Road) and take an RTS shuttle round-trip for 50 cents. Weekdays you can park for free in marked festival lots on Goodman Street (south of Highland Avenue) and Elmwood Avenue (east of South Avenue). For more information go to www.lilacfestival.com.