Musical Headliner For 2021 Milford Oyster Festival Announced

MILFORD, CT — The 47th Annual Milford Oyster Festival announced Tuesday that Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes will be the musical headliner for the popular annual event that attracts 50,000 plus people to downtown Milford in mid-August.

This year's Milford Oyster Festival will be held on Saturday, Aug. 21.

“The Committee is excited to be moving forward with this year’s festival. It will be a fun filled two days of great music, food and fun that we have all been looking forward to.” said Festival President Ila Tokarz.

In a news release, event organizers said:

John Lyon, aka Southside Johnny, has long been considered the Godfather of the New Jersey Sound rocking audiences since the mid 70’s. Born and raised on the Jersey Shore to musical family, he grew up listening to great music and it shows.

In a business where success is defined as getting a second single and longevity measured in nanoseconds, simply surviving for thirty-plus years is a rare accomplishment. But Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes have not only survived, they have flourished: more than thirty albums, several Eps and a box set; thousands of live performances around the globe; a legion of dedicated and enthusiastic fans; dozens of classic songs; a release named by Rolling Stone one of
the “top 100 albums of the 70s and 80s.”

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes emerged from the New Jersey shore scene in 1974, and though they carried over a significant influence (and some key personnel) from Bruce Springsteen & the E StreetBand, the Jukes evolved as more of a white R&B horn band in the Memphis Stax Records tradition.

Organized by singer John Lyon, guitarist/songwriter Steve Van Zandt (who decamped for the E Street Band in 1975, but continued to produce, manage, and write songs for the Jukes) and Richie
Rosenberg, the band is well known for high-energy shows and no-holds-barred songs, including “I Don’t Wanna Go Home,” “Havin’ a Party,” “The Fever,” “Talk to Me,” “Trapped Again,” and “This Time It’s For Real.”

Still tinged with the exuberant rhythm and blues feel that is the Jukes’ trademark, and loaded with the driving sound of the legendary Jukes horn section, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
continue to expound their signature Jersey Shore sound – all for the sheer joy of it.

The Milford Oyster Festival will be held, rain or shine, on Saturday, Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m. In addition to the Main Stage entertainment, the event also includes a craft beer area at Lisman Landing, the Festival Car Show, Arts and Crafts vendors on the Green, amusement rides, canoe and kayak races, and 35,000 Oysters that will be locally sourced from Briarpatch Shellfish Company.

Oyster Eve, the festival kick-off event, will be held on Friday, Aug. 20, from 6 p.m. till 10p.m. at it’s new location in Fowler Field. Headlining Oyster Eve will be The Rum Runners, one of Milford’s favorite bands. Originally from Milford and New Haven, The Rum Runners are ready to
rock the night away. Craft beers, wine, oysters and a wide selection of great food will be available on Oyster Eve.

For more information visit www.milfordoysterfestival.com.