UPDATE: Time Change for Tony Orlando East Haven Fall Festival Concert TONIGHT

UPDATE: Male Entertainer of the Year and winner of two People’s Choice Awards, Tony Orlando will now hit the stage in East Haven at 6 p.m. tonight (Sept. 12). He was scheduled for 9:30 p.m. but the time has been moved up because of rain. So if you plan to attend, please note the time change.

Original post: Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. and the East Haven Fall Festival Planning Committee have announced that this year’s event, now in its twenty-fourth year, will be featuring a former Male Entertainer of the Year and winner of two People’s Choice Awards, Tony Orlando !

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 will be held during the weekend of Sept. 11, 12 and 13. 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.

Tony Orlando, who in 2002 was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for Outstanding Performance shot to top of the charts in 1973 with his mega hit, “Tie a Yellow Ribbon…”. Orlando was the winner of 3 American Music Awards and twice Branson Entertainer of the Year. His Saturday night performance will begin at 9:30 p.m.

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 16 and 14 years respectfully, along with CT Health Insurance Associates. In addition to these long time sponsors, the Festival again continues to receive a major sponsorship from PMA Companies, Quality Associates/Excavation and Protein Sciences.

In a statement, Maturo said: “Through the tremendous generosity of our business community the Festival this year is able to bring the nationally acclaimed entertainer, the ever popular Tony Orlando! This type of Casino/Las Vegas entertainment attracts thousands who are willing to pay appreciable ticket prices; yet thanks to our Festival, East Haven will be presenting the Tony Orlando show for FREE ! Although our Festival continues to be a home for the music of years past, a look at all of the Festival’s weekend of entertainment will certainly satisfy the cravings of a variety of musical tastes. During the entire weekend the Festival provides a venue to display the talents of our local artists and community groups in a professional stage setting, to the viewing and listening pleasure of all who attend. Once again this could not be accomplished without the generosity of our entire business community as this event continues to be the best free festival in the State and with our Fireworks Day, one of East Haven’s signature events.”

Saturday afternoon’s entertainment again includes The East Haven High School Yellow Jacket Marching Band. In addition the Festival will present various local acts which include karate, martial arts and self defense demonstrations and the vocal students of the Wagner-Iovanna Vocal Studio. Leading up to the Tony Orlando show, the afternoon will continue with Avenue Groove and the popular sounds of Prime Time.

On Sunday afternoon, the Festival, will be presenting a full afternoon of entertainment featuring a variety of different acts with Timmy Maia Experience, preceded by Nick Fradiani Sr.

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 a variety of carnival rides. Sunday morning will feature what has become a very popular Classic Car Show, which this year will be coordinated by the Vietnam Veterans Association, Chapter 484. The festival now in its twenty-fourth 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”, will be open Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 6:00 pm. 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, the very popular Hamster Balls and a Bungee Run. There will also be music with a DJ on both nights, along with many other activities.

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

For further information on the Festival, you may go to the Town’s website: www.townofeasthavenct.org.

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