East Haven Fall Festival Music Moves Past the '50s, Still Attracting All Generations

The basic format and style of the East Haven Fall Festival will be the same this year as it has been over the past several years. But the sounds festival-goers will hear will move ahead in time from the 1950s to the Beach Boys era as the event continues to cater to the interests of all ages. The festival runs from Friday, Sept. 10 through Sunday, Sept. 12 on the East Haven Green (download traffic patterns to the right).

The festival has always featured musical entertainment from the '50s, according to Michael Albis, president of the festival. But this year, headliners will include All Summer Long, a tribute band of the Beach Boys, at 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Rag Doll, a Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons tribute band, at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Cropdusters, a group new to the festival, kick things off at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.

Albis said the festival will feature a wide variety of music, from jazz to rock. In addition to these bands, the festival will host plenty of local talent, such as the East Haven High School Yellow Jacket Marching Band and vocalist Angelo Ruggiero.

Away from the stage, festival-goers will also be enlightened and educated by the business showcase sponsored by the East Haven Chamber of Commerce. Albis said the showcase has added new features over the last couple of years, making it a more interactive display than ever before.

"Depending on the business, some will have demonstrations on the spot and others will have videos to show," said Albis.

The festival will also feature its Teen Corner on Friday and Saturday evenings with a new addition-an inflatable sports complex. Bob Petrucelli, the town's Youth Service Bureau coordinator, is running this part of the event, which will give teens a place to play basketball and volleyball.

Regular events connected to the festival, such as the 5K Community Classic Road Race (9 a.m. Saturday) and Fall Festival Classic Car Show (9 a.m. Sunday) will return this year. And arts and crafts vendors from around the state will be in attendance to sell their wares.

And, of course, you can't forget about the food, which is as diverse as the festival's musical entertainment. One new addition this year is food from a Thai restaurant, but festival-goers will also be able to feast on traditional festival fare such as hamburgers, hotdogs, lemonade, and ice cream.

With the food and entertainment all in place, all that's left to contend with is the weather. Albis said, while the festival has dodged raindrops the last couple of years, the festival committee is hoping for plenty of sunshine-and the event's traditionally large turnout.

"People look forward to it as a community get-together," said Albis. "It's big enough that there is a lot to do, but small enough so that it's like a block party."

Your Comments

What do you like best about the East Haven Fall Festival? Share your thoughts in the comment section below this story.