This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
06/09/2023 07:27 AMIf it’s June, it must be time to bring in the Branford Festival. This month, the 39th Festival fills the Branford Green Friday, June 16 through Sunday, June 18.
For festival co-chair Barbara Barringham, the big weekend is the best time for the community to help her say a big “thank you” to the many hard-working members of the all-volunteer Branford Festival and Branford Festival Corporate Board.
While this is the second year that Barbara is co-chairing the event with Kristine Klarman (a past Person of the Week), both have been involved with this signature Branford event as committee chairs and volunteers for many years. For her part, Barbara has been involved since 2005.
“Part of life is giving back to your community,” says Barbara. “But our crew is getting older, and we could really use some new blood!”
Volunteers might even get the chance to assist some of this year’s musical acts performing on festival stages, including the main stage beside town hall, featuring Branford’s new showmobile. Festival entertainment opens on Friday and includes the night’s top feature act, The Linda Ronstadt Experience, fronted by 2016 American Idol finalist Tristan McIntosh. Saturday’s big show is Heart tribute band Bad Animals.
“So the two top acts give us an all-gal entertainment line-up. I don’t think that’s ever happened before,” says Barbara.
As always, the Festival’s stellar entertainment arrives thanks to festival sponsors, including 2023 Apex Sponsor Shoreline Insurance Services Inc. The Festival uses many forms of media to communicate its thanks to all of its sponsoring organizations, from listing them on the Branford Festival website www.branfordfestival.com to placing them in the festival program and displaying them on banners.
Admission to the festival, as always, is free. Community members who can’t volunteer can always assist by making a festival donation of any amount at the donation link on the Branford Festival website. Another way to assist is to stop by the Festival Souvenir tent to purchase event apparel and/or this year’s Branford Festival print, “Sunrise on Branford River.” The stunning watercolor by award-winning Branford artist Linda Marino captures a view from the Harbor Street bridge en plein air.
“It’s just beautiful, and I think people are going to recognize the spot as purely Branford. Anyone who’s walked down to Branford Point will know where this spot is,” says Barbara.
Another place to find beautiful works of art, unique handcrafts, and other merchandise will be the Artisan Marketplace at the Branford Festival on Saturday, June 17. Sponsored by the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce and Branford Arts and Cultural Alliance (BACA), the marketplace is packed with vendors, merchants, artists, and craftspeople offering wares across all price points.
“It’s got such a variety of items; it’s artisans, it’s crafters like jewelry makers, there’s a mix of businesses—basically, there’s something for everybody,” says Barbara.
Speaking of something for everyone, let’s not forget the kids. The festival’s ticketed midway rides are open all three days, with a discounted Father’s Day wristband available on Sunday, June 18. All rides and games are provided by Marenna Amusements.
“We also have some extra kids activities planned for Saturday,” notes Barbara.
Some of the extra kids’ activities set for Saturday, June 17, include sand art and face painting. In addition, activities are being planned by the Blackstone Library.
As one who’s been involved in the festival’s food court for many years, Barbara can attest to the popularity of that area of the Branford Festival.
“People love the food court, and this year, we’ve got almost all our same food vendors coming back, which is great, plus we have three new ones [cream puffs, cinnamon buns, and perogies/kielbasa]; so that’s a nice addition to our food selections,” says Barbara.
“And the festival committee is once again running the fried dough tent, so we’re kind of really spread out thin over the weekend, which is also why we can always use more volunteers.”
Barbara also co-chairs the festival’s fried dough pizza committee, together with co-chair Todd Clifford. Additionally, Barbara chairs residential fundraising for the festival.
All of the effort and fundraising comes together so that festival guests are greeted by a huge event that fills the green from South Main Street to Montowese Street and all along Main Street annually. Putting it all together not only takes a year of planning but a full week of work ahead of opening day— and more work to clear it all away once the festival ends. It only can come together due to the festival’s all-volunteer crews and committees, Barbara emphasizes.
“We have to give kudos to our operations crew,” says Barbara. “Ed Massotta is the head of operations, and he is constantly trying to recruit more guys to help out. We start the Monday before the festival. Every single night, we’re there, working on set-up, and it’s a lot of work!”
The work includes setting up the infrastructure for the food court—fencing, water, electricity, sinks, stoves, and more—and then breaking it all down again.
“It’s an exhausting weekend, but it’s all worthwhile in the end,” says Barbara.
While Barbara and Kristine are grateful, as always, to the festival’s amazing group of volunteers who come back year after year, Barbara says it’s time for “the next generation” of volunteers to consider stepping up to help keep the Branford Festival going for another 39 years.
“It’s a great time for the next generation to step up and a great way to get active in your community,” says Barbara.
Barbara’s a familiar face among Branford’s community volunteers, not only for nearly two decades of giving back as a festival volunteer but in several other areas, as well. Her husband, Hal, is a Branford volunteer firefighter.
“He gives back that way; I’m with the festival, I’m active with my church. That’s how we were raised. It seems like we’ve lost that in just a generation. We don’t seem to see that same push to give back to your community,” Barbara says.
For newer residents, there’s no better organization to get involved with than the Branford Festival, she adds.
“If you’re new in town, this is the opportunity to meet some great people who are active in the town. It’s a fun group to work with.”
Volunteers can fill slots ranging from just a couple of hours to as many as desired. To volunteer for the 2023 Branford Festival, contact Cindy Jayanetti at Branfordfestvolunteer@yahoo.com.