Branford Festival: Perfect Weather, Big Crowds, Great Food

The annual Branford Festival is always a crowd-pleaser, and this year it was over-the-top with perfect weather, plenty of music, sumptuous food, politicians greeting constituents, the Craft and Business Expo, and Sunday’s Road Race. 

The 39th Branford Father’s Day Road Race brought out 2,500 runners and walkers in the Kids’ Fun Run, 2 Mile Health Walk and 5 Mile Race.The first male finisher in the 5 Mile race was Sean Furgeson (pictured) of Shelton with a time of 25:07 .

Kris Klarman had a big smile on her face this weekend. As chairman of the 34th annual Branford Festival she had that perfect weather over the three days, and as a result the crowds came for all the planned activities, which made her sponsors and food vendors very happy.

“I was a little leery all day Friday with the dark skies but the sun came out a little before five and it stayed with us all weekend,” said Klarman. ​“That’s the one thing we can’t control is the weather. It turned out great.”

The Governor’s Foote Guard conducted the opening ceremonies by raising the Festival Flag. They were followed by the Branford High School Concert Choir under first year director Michael Martone Jr. They have regularly opened the festival for many years.

Michelle Germaine and Ryan Rathbun, recent graduates who were chosen to receive the John Moss Scholarships, were then introduced.

For the second consecutive year the festival committee recognized the Branford girls lacrosse team that won the Class M State Championship defeating Daniel Hand H.S.of Madison. The members of the team and the coaches were brought on stage.

Entertainment on Friday continued with The Benders headed by lead guitarist Clark Bender of Branford along with singer Denise Parri. The group played classic rock and some originals. The main attraction Friday was ​‘Wanted DOA, The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute” which played many of the original award-winning group’s popular hits. The crowd was into the music and sang along and danced to the well-known words. The Bon Jovi Tribute Band got the crowd up and dancing>

Craft and Community Expo

The annual Shoreline Chamber Craft and Community Expo took place on Saturday with over 75 vendors, which included everything from retailers to political groups and nonprofits.

“If you have a non-profit organization or business in Branford it’s good to have a presence at the Expo to let people learn about who you are and what you do,” said longtime volunteer Eunice Lasala who donates her time with the Branford Garden Club, Branford Compassion Club and Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter. Members of the Branford Garden Club were all smiles at their booth.

Food Alley is always a highlight of the festival and, as always was doing land-office business. Liza Petra and volunteers from the Historical Society get together for a photo during their annual Strawberry Shortcake extravaganza.

And, of course, there was plenty of fun for the kids. Showing off their face paintings are cousins Violet Davie, 7, of Branford and Harper Trotta, 7, of Guilford.

Election Season Gets Underway

It wouldn’t be a Branford Festival without elected and would-be elected candidates arriving to meet folks on the Green. And this year there are a lot of new choices since both the 12th District State Senate seat and the State Rep seat are open.

Candidates for the State Senate seat in the 12th District were in view, with appearances from Christine Cohen of Guilford, the endorsed Democratic candidate; and Adam Greenberg (pictured), of Branford, the endorsed Republican candidate.

“There’s a lot of concern over the economy,” Cohen said when she stopped by the Eagle’s booth Saturday. She was accompanied by Branford selectman Jack Ahern. ​“I understand that because it’s of utmost concern to me.”

Greenberg was doing double duty – talking with festival-goers and manning a booth for his business, LuRong Living, a nationwide health and wellness company. He said campaigning is a wonderful way to meet people and listen to their concerns.

Cohen may face two potential Democratic challengers in an August primary if they have gathered enough petition signatures to force a primary. The local registrars have verified signatures on petitions from Wesley Jackson and Andy Gottlieb. The Secretary of State will tally signatures from the six towns in the 12th District, which includes Branford, Guilford, Madison, North Branford, Durham and Killingworth.

State Sen. Ted Kennedy,Jr., who isn’t running for re-election in the 12 District, said he’s not going to be out of the public eye, he’s just redirecting his focus.

Kennedy is shown here with Recreation director Alex Palluzzi, Jr., the town’s director of recreation and State Rep. Sean Scanlon (D‑98th District), who represents two of the seven voting districts in Branford and all of Guilford. Scanlon is running unopposed.

Both candidates for State Rep in the 102nd District were talking with constituents at the festival.

Democratic endorsed candidate Robin Comey told the Eagle that ​“Running for office has been exciting and I’m giving 100 percent to it.”

Republican endorsed candidate Bob Imperato said, ​“It’s been eye-opening, some of the concerns that constituents have.”

Four candidates are competing for the Democratic nomination for attorney general: Chris Mattei, William Tong, Clare Kindall and Paul Doyle. The Eagle’s editor, Marcia Chambers caught up with Doyle, Kennedy and Mary Jo Riddle near the Eagle’s tent.

State Rep. Lonnie Reed announced she was not seeking-re-election to the 102nd.

Entertainment continues

Entertainment began again Saturday evening with ​“Elegant Primates.” They were followed by the Annual Father of the Year contest. Nicholas Schettino, a Walsh seventh grader, wrote his award winning essay about his dad Michael Schettino. Both father and son were presented with bicycles donated by Zane’s Cycles, a watch from Branford Jewelers, and a portrait by Trish Bowan photography.

DynaMojo played at 6 p.m. and the festival committee was introduced between acts to be recognized and pose for a picture. They earned a strong round of applause. 

Next on the schedule was Red Light a lively four-piece band that promotes themselves as Party rock at its best. They were followed by the main act of the night David Brighton’s Space Oddity ​“The Ultimate David Bowie Experience.” The David Bowie Tribute band brought out a lot of David Bowie fans to the Green.

Father’s Day Road Race

The Branford road race was started in 1979 by former Branford businessmen Ray Figlewski and Dick Wainman. They walked in the 2 Mile Health Walk. Wainman moved to Utah in the ​‘80s and returned this year to walk with Figlewski who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease 12 years ago.

United States Senator Richard Blumenthal, a regular at the race each year, applauds the runners at the start of the 5 Mile race.

The first male finisher in the 5 Mile race was Sean Furgeson (photo at top). The first female finisher was Hayley Germack of New Haven The first female finisher Hayley Germack with a time of 30:43. The first Branford male finisher was Luis Juela at 29:39 and the first woman was Megan Raymond at 33:07.

The day concluded with music by ​“Avenue Groove” beginning at noon followed by The Branford Chorale, which sang many popular songs such as Toto’s ​“Africa,” Bruno Mars’s ​“Uptown Funk,” and Stevie Wonder’s ​“Superstition.” The final performance was by the Tabor Arts Performance School, which sang selections from the play Peter Pan and other Disney favorites.

Capt. Geoff Morgan of the Branford Police Department said they didn’t estimate how many were on the Green both Friday and Saturday, but did say, ​“the green seemed pretty full both nights.”

The green was indeed ​“pretty full.”

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