The Town Hall stage is set to kick off  the 2016 Branford Festival tonight on the Branford green, featuring three days of entertainment, fabulous food tents, activities, a children's midway and much more.

Branford Police have issued parking bans and street closure notices impacting roads leading up to and around the town green. The bans go into effect at 4 p.m. Friday June 17 and continue through Sunday June 19 at 4 p.m.; with some significant changes going into effect during the Branford Road Race from 8 a.m. to noon on Sun. June 19 (see related file). More information on police emergency road closures and permit parking areas are available here or find Branford Police Department on Facebook.

The all-volunteer Branford Festival committee shares information about everything planned for this year's event here

The Friday, June 17 Branford Festival Opening Celebration gets underway at 5 p.m. Branford Chorale will perform and the Governor's Footguard, Second Company will raise the festival's huge American Flag to fly over the Branford green.  Branford High School (BHS) Choir, led by BHS music director Cathyann Roding, will entertain following the flag raising. The Branford Festival Foundation will also present the winner of the annual John Moss Scholarship on the main Town Hall stage.

The live band line up for Friday night includes opening act Turbulence followed by main act, Zoso the Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience, from 8:45 p.m. – 11 p.m. Saturday night's premium live entertainment shows including opener "Supernatural: The Ultimate Tribute to Santana," followed by "China Grove: The Doobie Brothers All Star Tribute Band."

Admission to the Branford Festival, as always, is free.