nothin New Haven Independent | The Branford Festival: The Coolest Event Ever

The Branford Festival: The Coolest Event Ever

Mary Johnson Photo

There is only ONE Cool Event this weekend and that is the Branford Festival, now in its 32nd year. This weekend is expected to be wall-to-wall sunshine.

Sally E. Bahner Photo

Rotary Club Breakfast

Dennis Nardella, the 2016 Festival Chair, says this weekend celebrates the town’s service clubs, clubs that are the backbone of the Festival, the Rotary Club, the Exchange Club and the Lions Club, which celebrates 65 years of service to Branford this year. They came together, he said, pooling their resources instead of having separate fairs on the green. And that is how the Branford Festival as we have come to know it was born.” Read about the Festival, its history and events here.

Mary Johnson Photo

Within the Festival there are many cool events, ranging from great food to wonderful music. There is a superb road race and lots of family, friends and kids having a ball on the town Green. Bill O’Brien, one of the early leaders of the festival, rightly calls it a homecoming for families and friends near and far. The Branford Eagle booth is at K‑1. Come by and say hello. Saturday and Sunday look like glorious days, with temperatures in the 80s.

Before we outline events, we need to give you a list of weekend no’s. First off and this isn’t easy to write, there will be NO dogs permitted on the Green this weekend although small ones have been spotted in the past. Second, the police department has issued a long list of streets closed to the public. There are also no-parking areas. These rules will be strictly enforced. So click here to go to the police department page and read where you cannot park.

Friday, June 17

Music Galore

Bill O’Brien Photo

The Festival opens at 5 p.m. with tributes to Branford by the Branford Chorale and the Connecticut Governor’s Footguard, along with the raising of the festival flag. The Branford High School choir, directed by Cathyann Rodin comes next followed by two top bands, Turbulence and ZoSo — The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience. Turbulence runs from 7 to 8 p.m., and ZoSo starts at 8:45 p.m. and runs to 11 p.m. Admission is free

Saturday, June 18

Come On Down

File Photo

Day Two of the annual Branford Festival kicks off with the Craft and Community Expo sponsored by the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce. There will be activities for children all day. Here are kids learning about horseshoe crabs one year over at the Branford Land Trust Tent. Food all day begins with the Rotary’s famous breakfast.

Sally E. Bahner Photo

More than 200 vendors will be selling everything imaginable and then some. The Saturday green event draws about 4,000 people. From early morning until 3 p.m. you will find Main Street Stage Entertainment and Backstage Entertainment and lots of folks to meet. 

There is something for everyone, especially in the food department. The vendors leave by 3:30 p.m. so that the Green may be transformed for Saturday night festivities. Admission is free.

Saturday Night Events

Mary Johnson Photo

A band named Hitlist, of all things, takes the main Town Hall stage from 6 to 7 p.m. Next is Supernatural,” from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Finally, the headline band, China Grove, an all-star” Doobie Brothers tribute band, performs.

Sunday, June 19
Day Three

Mary Johnson Photo

The Father’s Day Road Race, which began in 1979, is now three different races. There’s a Fun Run, a Fitness Walk, and the five mile Road Race, which begins at 10:15 a.m. Click here for details.

There will be musical entertainment and lots of food throughout the day. There’s the music of Pocket Full of Soul from noon to 2 p.m. on the Town Hall stage and Branford’s Got Talent kicks off at 2:30 p.m. and runs to 4 p.m. Admission is free

Enjoy!
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