West Haven’s Savin Rock Festival draws crowds

WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) – The Savin Rock Festival returned on a warm, summer weekend.

Old Grove Park was filled with lawn chairs and families who come out for the festival every year.

“It’s a nice thing for West Haven, it really is,” said John Morin from West Haven. “You get to see people you haven’t seen in a really long time, so it’s nice to come down and hang out and talk to everybody, listen to some great music and have some fun, that’s all.”

The music lineup featured five sets of artists. There was plenty of food to try, from seafood to baked potatoes to Greater New Haven pizza.

The sidewalk was lined with non-profits and vendors. Ameria Hernandez is a henna artist and has a business called Art Sensations.

“I like coming to the Savin Rock Festival, just being part of the community and getting to give people nice art,” she said.

This festival has been going on for more than 40 years. Mayor Dorinda Borer said the festival showcases the sights and sounds of Savin Rock Park, once known as Connecticut’s Coney Island. Savin Rock Park was an amusement park on the West Haven shoreline that closed in 1966.

The cherry on top for the festival was the backdrop. Families loved being so close to the beach.

“It is so wonderful, I love the view,” said Denise Jones of West Haven. “I love the water and the festivities. Everything for the kids!”

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