If you were among the more than 2,500 people who attended WXXI’s Open House on Saturday, October 2nd, thank you for coming and I hope you enjoyed your visit.  We had a great turnout, with a line outside the door an hour before we opened, and a steady stream of visitors throughout the day.

Along with a number of WXXI Trustees, volunteers and staff members, I had the opportunity to meet many of you on the way in. However, a great number of our younger visitors were far more interested in meeting The Cat in the Hat, WordGirl, Big Bird, Clifford the Big Red Dog and other PBS characters. Guests also enjoyed talking with WXXI’s radio hosts and news reporters, visiting the sets of Homework Hotline and Need to Know Rochester, discussing PBS’s upcoming fall season with our Program Director, and touring Master Control and the production studios.

My favorite comment of the day came from a family that said our event was “the most fun they had since they were at Disneyland!" (though we were quick to point out that our event was free.)  Every floor of our five-story building was filled with fun activities. From art projects, circus performers and face painting on the ground floor, to live radio, television cameras and countless other happenings throughout the rest of the building – it truly was a magical day.  We ended with a drawing for several prizes donated by our supporters, including the grand prize – a 3D TV, Blue Ray DVD player, and 3D glasses from Rowe Photo, Video and Audio.

We could not have hosted such a wonderful event without the help of some very good friends of the station. Mapco Parking donated use of its parking lot, Tasteful Connections provided snacks and beverages, and WXXI’s community partners Rochester Museum and Science Center, Seneca Park Zoo, Writers & Books, ABVI-Goodwill, the “Y,” and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra hosted other special activities. The Rochester Red Wings, Amerks, and RazorSharks also helped make the Open House a success by lending their mascots for the day.

Thanks to everyone who visited WXXI for this year’s Open House, and a special thanks for all those who made sure our guests enjoyed themselves. It was a great community event!