Savin Rock Festival Kicks Off Thursday Night in West Haven

By Michael P. Walsh

WEST HAVEN, CT — The 35th annual Savin Rock Festival starts tonight in Old Grove Park with four days of games, food, rides and entertainment.

The event, which pays homage to the legacy of Savin Rock Park, showcases its first beer garden since the festival began in 1982.

It kicks off at 5 p.m. with the national anthem sung by Caitlin Morrissey.

Eight to the Bar, a swing, boogie-woogie and Motown act, performs at 5:10 p.m., followed by ’50s, ’60s and ’70s favorites by The Americans Longboards at 7 p.m.

The festival, sponsored by the University of New Haven, is Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon-10 p.m.

Marenna Amusements is offering a family pack of 24 tickets for $20 and bracelets for unlimited rides for $25. Otherwise, tickets cost $1 each.

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On Friday, the 102nd Army Band, composed of members of the Connecticut National Guard, opens with patriotic anthems at 5 p.m., followed by The Bronx Wanderers, “a high-octane ’50s, ’60s and ’70s rock ’n’ roll experience,” at 8:30 p.m.

Local organizations are setting up informational booths, and the food court is serving up the fare — fried seafood, split hot dogs, frozen custard — that catapulted old Savin Rock to notoriety as “the Coney Island of Connecticut.”

On Saturday, the West Haven High School dance team performs at 11:45 a.m., followed by teen rock band Tears Fall Down at noon, reggae group Moto at 1 p.m., alternative rock band The Bamboo Treehouse at 2 p.m., rhythm and blues group The Nu Groove Band at 3 p.m. and crooner Michael Rea at 5 p.m.

Rubber City, powered by a horn section that rivals such bands as Chicago and Tower of Power, goes on at 6 p.m.

The Official Blues Brothers Revue, featuring Wayne Catania as Jake and Kieron Lafferty as Elwood, starts at 8:30 p.m., performing a 90-minute playlist from the timeless repertoire of The Blues Brothers, including “Soul Man,” “Rubber Biscuit” “Sweet Home Chicago,” “Rawhide,” “Peter Gunn” and “Gimme Some Lovin.’”

Produced by Dan Aykroyd and Judy Belushi Pisano, wife of the late John Belushi, the Blues Brothers Revue honors Chicago’s rich history of blues, gospel and soul music.

If it rains, the Bronx Wanderers and Blues Brothers Revue are set to play in the West Haven High auditorium, 1 McDonough Plaza.

On Sunday, Top 40 solo act Jim Crutchfield is on at 1 p.m., followed by oldies group Vinnie Carr at 2 p.m., classic rock band Furious George at 3 p.m., Tower of Power tribute group On the Serious Side at 4 p.m. and contemporary rock band Soul Jar at 5 p.m.

The festival closes once again with a 6 p.m. concert by The Asberry Boys, which include the four youngest siblings of The Taubl Family Band who made it to the finals of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” in 2008, followed by Stevie Nicks cover group The Navels at 8 p.m.

The West Haven High School Band Parents is holding a craft fair Friday-Sunday from noon-8 p.m.

The Top Hat Dance Academy is performing at noon Sunday.

To help with expenses, the Savin Rock Festival Committee is selling T-shirts and other merchandise in the hospitality tent. It is also charging nonresidents $5 for parking.

Organizers said the parking revenue and beer and merchandise sales are supporting next year’s festival budget.

The cash-only beer garden is pouring four craft, domestic and imported draft beers, as well as a hard cider and a wine. It is serving beer Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Attendees are reminded that a city ordinance prohibits domestic animals on certain parks, beaches or recreation areas. The fine is $50 per offense.

Also, per the Police Department, backpacks, bicycles and glass containers are prohibited, and coolers are subject to search.