East Haven's Three-Day Fall Festival Starts Today!

Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. and the East Haven Fall Festival Planning Committee have announced that this year’s event, now in its 22nd year, will be featuring one of the most successful musical groups of the sixties, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap. This Saturday concert will just be the centerpiece of a full weekend of music, food and fun for the entire family on the East Haven Town Green.  

The festival is being held during the weekend of September 6th, 7th and 8th.  The event is coordinated by EH Fall Festival, Inc. as a cooperative effort with the Mayor’s office and the East Haven Chamber of Commerce. 

While the weekend of entertainment will be a diversified mix of various forms of local and regional talent, the Friday night feature act will again return to the sounds of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s with the Festival’s return of “The Bronx Wanderers”, back by popular demand following last year’s Festival debut. The group recreates the magic of the era, with a mix of new material along with all the favorites of doo-wop and rock and roll. 

The feature entertainment once again this year is being presented through the generosity of David McDermott Auto Group and Town Fair Tire, who have been major contributors to the Festival for 15 and 13 years respectfully, along with CT Health Insurance Associates. In addition to these long time sponsors, the Festival again has also received a major sponsorship from PMA Companies.

Saturday afternoon’s entertainment is again expected to feature former national champions, The East Haven High School Yellow Jacket Marching Band. In addition the Festival will present various local acts which include Karate and Taekwondo demonstrations and Vocals by Karen and the East Haven Arts Commission. Leading up to The Gary Puckett show, the afternoon will continue with The Sin Sisters Band and the popular sounds of Prime Time who were unable to perform due to rain last year.

On Sunday afternoon, the Festival, will be presenting a full afternoon of entertainment featuring a variety of different acts of both local and international flavor, featuring the diverse Latin sounds of Sonido Libre. This Latin music band based out of Connecticut will be performing music genres such as Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia and Mambo.  Also appearing will be the ever-popular Jim Lawson’s Big Band and closing this year’s festival will be The Magic of Motown featuring The Souled Out Orchestra.

The Festival, which began as a two-day event in 1992, has continued to grow by attracting bigger sponsors, which has made the event the best free festival entertainment venue in this State. In addition to the live entertainment, the weekend will feature a wide variety of restaurant booths, an arts and crafts exhibition, and carnival rides for small children.  Sunday morning will feature what has become a very popular Classic Car Show. The festival now in its twenty-second year continues to attract crowds of all ages, including seniors and children.

The “Corporate Hospitality Tent”, which will be open to corporate sponsors, during the entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights, will house the Business Showcase on Saturday afternoon. Again, this year the business showcase will be coordinated and run by the East Haven Chamber of Commerce.  Anyone interested in obtaining a spot can contact the Chamber at (203) 467-4305.  

This year’s event will again feature an area of the green, which will be titled, the “Teen Corner” under the direction of the Town’s Youth Coordinator, Bob Petrucelli.  The “Teen Corner”, which will be open Friday, September 6th and Saturday, September 7th from 6:00 – 10:30pm. In addition, the area will be staffed by several other adults. The “Teen Corner” will include various activities for youth, including a Mobile HD Video Game Trailer and 3 Lane Bungee Run. There will also be music with a DJ on Friday and Laser tag on Saturday.  

In addition to the businesses mentioned above, the event continues to be supported by corporate sponsorships and individual contributions.  Anyone interested in helping with this effort, or for any further information on the Festival, should contact Frank Gentilesco, Jr. in the Mayor’s office, at 468-3204 or email him at eh.gentilesco@att.net.

-- information generously provided by the East Haven Mayor's office.