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06/09/2023 07:29 AMJoyful rocking music and the scent of carnival food will fill the air at the East Haven Town Beach as the town will host its 21st annual Fireworks and Beach Party on June 24.
As usual, it will be a day for the East Haven community to gather together and reign in the summertime with delicious food, live music, and a fireworks show to cap off the evening.
“It’s one of my favorite days; I love seeing all our residents enjoying a great day at the beach together,” said Mayor Joseph Carfora. “This year, we have an amazing line-up of talented musicians and tribute bands to electrify the air leading up to the fireworks.”
Whereas other towns may hold similar events just for a few hours in the evening, East Haven has done it differently for over two decades, said Michelle Benivegna, director of administration and management.
“I think we’re one of the few towns that offers a full-day event for our residents. Many towns just do an evening of fireworks. We have a whole beach party. We have food vendors set up on the street, we close down a portion of Cozy Beach Avenue, we have live music,” said Benivegna. “I think our community really likes an opportunity to come together, and it’s kind of a kickoff for summer.”
The live music running through the day begins at 2 p.m. with a performance by the Soundcheck Band. At 4:30 p.m., the Rahsaan Langley Project will take the stage, followed by the evening’s headliners, He Will Rock You, at 7:30 p.m. He Will Rock You is a tribute act to classic rock acts Journey, Queen, and Styx, among others.
Benivegna said the selection of bands playing through the day was based on fitting the demographic of the celebration’s attendees and keeping their spirits up throughout the event.
“I think that the genres that they play are that age group that comes to the event…and then they play some of the newer stuff, so I think it just satisfies all ages,” said Benivegna. “We want people to be able to dance.”
Following live music will be the fireworks display above the beach, but not before the performance of the national anthem by Gianna Esposito.
Esposito is a former East Haven resident who has sung the “Star-Spangled Banner” at a number of events in East Haven, including the fireworks event. She will graduate from Cheshire High School this month, after which she will join the United States Army to complete basic training at Fort Leonard, Missouri.
The fireworks display will begin at 9:15 p.m. Benivegna said a new fireworks company will be handling the big display for the night and will offer something a bit different from previous years of the event.
“Every year has been tremendous, but it is definitely [going to be] one of our largest shows with shell count,” she said.
Benivegna said donations are welcomed by the town going towards the fireworks display and can be sent by check to the Town of East Haven.
Regarding food, Benivegna said the “classic carnival fare” served during the day will be offered by local businesses, including Shoreline Prime Meats and Deli, and include hotdogs, hamburgers, fried Oreos, funnel cakes, clams on a half shell, and others.
“Pretty much anything you are craving, you will be able to find there,” said Benivegna.
The East Haven Police Department says that residents in the Cosey Beach area should expect heavy traffic delays and temporary road closures at the conclusion of the fireworks event starting at 9:30 p.m. until midnight. Several routes will be designated for one-way traffic going northward, southward, or westward, while others will be for parking only.
Handicap drop-off will be in the beach parking lot closest to Cosey Beach Avenue and Coe Avenue. This area will be posted and open to the public throughout the event. There will be handicap spots designated in the lot, and they will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
The department will release a list of streets designated for no parking and closures and post notices in areas where parking will be prohibited.
Benivegna gave a shout-out to the town’s public safety crew for their continued support in making the event possible.
” Like with all events in our town, we would not be able to do it without our police, fire, and public works. They’re essential to making all of our events safe and successful, so we have a great community that comes together,” she said.
In the case of inclement weather, the celebration will be held on June 26 with limited entertainment and fireworks.