Nick Fradiani Plays Festival Celebrating Savin Rock’s Amusement Park Days

Written by Michael P. Walsh

WEST HAVEN, CT — The Savin Rock Festival shined once again thanks to Broadway star and “American Idol” winner Nick Fradiani, who took the musical entertainment to a new height by performing a 90-minute show for the ages.

The festival’s 2024 edition, held in historic Old Grove Park, paid tribute to West Haven’s storied amusement park heritage with two days of great food, rides and music, of course — especially on Saturday night, July 27.

After a spirited introduction by Mayor Dorinda Borer welcoming Fradiani “from Broadway to West Haven,” the Guilford native and former city resident played to one of the largest crowds in festival history, performing original songs, including “Beautiful Life” and “Coming Your Way,” and Neil Diamond gems, including “America” and “Sweet Caroline.”

Fradiani and his five-piece band kept the party going with a Tom Petty medley, including “The Waiting” and “American Girl,” before slowing things down with an acoustic duet of Marc Cohn’s “Walking in Memphis” with his father, singer/keyboardist Nick Fradiani Sr.

With an estimated 4,000 people lounging on blankets and lawn chairs in the Grove and dozens dancing and singing along in front of the stage, Fradiani entertained the masses with an energetic set while sharing stories of “American Idol” and living on the West Haven shoreline — on Ocean Avenue near Woody Crest — during his “Idol” run and subsequent win on Season 14 in 2015.

Fradiani just finished starring as Diamond in the production of “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical,” which ended its Broadway run on June 30.

In addition to a midway of rides and games by Marenna Amusements, the festival featured a baker’s dozen row of food and dessert trucks that served up burgers, hot dogs, chicken, fried dough, gyros, baked potatoes, smoked shrimp, deep-fried stuffed meatballs, and lobster rolls and quesadillas, as well as ice cream, Italian ice and tropical slushies.

The annual event opened on Friday, July 26, with Borer greeting the festive crowd and followed with a beautiful rendition of the national anthem sung by West Haven High School sophomore Paige Kenny.

Onstage, the mayor individually thanked the members of the Savin Rock Festival Committee, along with city departments, employees and volunteers, for making the event one of the best in recent memory.

“They all worked very hard to bring this festival together for all of you,” said Borer, who also gave a shoutout to West Haven’s first responders.

WOW Radio personality Brian Smith, back for a seventh time as the “ringmaster” of ceremonies, then heralded the evening’s musical lineup, joking, “Welcome to the 300th annual Savin Rock Festival!”

Local party band Covergirl, playing such diverse hits as Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” Bananarama’s “Cruel Summer” and Toto’s “Africa,” warmed up concertgoers for the Foreigner Journey Experience, which played two hours of radio anthems from the acclaimed catalogs of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame bands, including Foreigner’s “Double Vision,” “Hot Blooded” and “Juke Box Hero” and Journey’s “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart),” “Any Way You Want It” and “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

On Saturday morning, July 27, the festival kicked off with the Rotary Club’s free pancake breakfast, followed by the Department of Parks and Recreation’s annual bocce tournament, with Sammy Centola and Tejay Mejias winning the title and receiving a Dunkin’ gift card from tournament coordinator Olivia Quagliani.

During the afternoon, the Grove, fanned by a cool summer breeze, provided a stunning setting beneath the sun-drenched oak trees for children’s activities, including balloon twisting and face painting and princesses and superheroes, and concerts, including the Rock House School of Music’s Echo Box and MeltDown, which each played a set of rockers.

Faster Things followed and performed a faithful tribute to the Allman Brothers Band, including “Melissa,” “Ramblin’ Man” and “Jessica.”

Before Faster Things took the stage, West Haven’s own Grace Kelly Nowak sang a spectacular rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” to rousing applause.

The bands were complemented by Smith, who segued the performers with his signature bursts of comic relief.

Also in the afternoon, the inaugural “Great Bartender Race” provided nonstop fun and laughs on Oak Street Beach, with teams of four competing in relays of skill, including mixologists from Lorenzo’s Restaurant, Z’s Corner Cafe, The Breakwall, Oak Beach Bar + Grill, Dive Bar & Restaurant, Reruns Bar & Grill, Billie Martin’s Neighborhood Pub and Moby Dick’s Oyster Bar + Grill.

The contest, which is sure to become a festival tradition, called for flipping a cup, throwing a pingpong ball into a cup, spinning around a plastic baseball bat, carrying a tray of cups filled with water, and emptying the water into a pitcher and filling it above a red line.

The teams were moderated by celebrity judge Councilman Gary Donovan, D-4, while Borer chief of staff Rick Spreyer, holding a megaphone, served as the hilarious play-by-play announcer.

Lorenzo’s bartending squad of Ron Phifer, Donald Coletta, Selena Izzo and Nicole Conca won the 90-minute event and received the coveted “West Haven Great Bartender Race 2024” trophy.

Back in the Grove, firefighters of the West Haven Fire Department, led by Fire Marshal Roger Sicotte, demonstrated the department’s 35-foot smoke trailer and showed children what to do in case of a fire.

Firefighters also demonstrated the Jaws of Life tool by prying open parts of a vehicle to free those trapped inside.

Members of West Haven Professional Firefighters Local 1198 held their annual fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. All proceeds went to MDA, including sales from beverages, popcorn and chips and ticket sales from a bounce house, two raffles and a speed pitch.

As part of the City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown’s Child Safety Car Seat Installation and Inspection Program, firefighters installed car seats for people. They also inspected those already installed to ensure that the portable seats were properly fastened for securing small children.

At the craft fair, longtime vendor Diane Della Camera of Savin Rock Printing and returning vendor Marilyn Wilkes were among two dozen vendors selling their wares.

Della Camera sold old Savin Rock T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, tote bags and fuzzy dice, and Wilkes showed her handmade, one-of-a-kind earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

At the hospitality tent, committee members sold official 2024 Savin Rock Festival T-shirts.

West Haven’s flagship festival, established by the Chamber of Commerce, debuted on July 24, 1982, to bring organizations, clubs, businesses and families together for a summer festival that celebrates life in one of America’s oldest maritime communities.

From the dawn of the Savin Rock House hotel in 1838, “the Rock” had long been a resort hub until it was officially incorporated as an amusement park by the Savin Rock Park Co. on Memorial Day 1925, when it opened to 300,000 visitors and 66,000 automobiles in one spectacular day.

For the next 40 years, the legendary seaside park captured the hearts and imaginations of “Rock rats” young and old. “The playground of New England” closed on Sept. 21, 1966, to pave the way for the Savin Rock Urban Renewal Project.

Broadway star and “American Idol” winner Nick Fradiani headlines Day 2 of the Savin Rock Festival in West Haven’s Old Grove Park on Saturday, July 27. Fradiani, a Guilford native and former city resident, played to one of the largest crowds in festival history, performing original songs, classic covers and Neil Diamond gems while sharing stories of “American Idol” and living on the West Haven shoreline — on Ocean Avenue near Woody Crest — during his “Idol” run and subsequent win on Season 14 in 2015. (City Photos/Michael P. Walsh)

The sea of people gathered for the Nick Fradiani concert in Old Grove Park on Saturday evening, July 27. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

The Foreigner Journey Experience headlines opening night of the Savin Rock Festival in Old Grove Park on Friday, July 26. The band fired on all cylinders and played a two-hour set of radio anthems from the acclaimed catalogs of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame bands, including Foreigner’s “Double Vision,” “Hot Blooded” and “Juke Box Hero” and Journey’s “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart),” “Any Way You Want It” and “Don’t Stop Believin’.” (City Photos/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer welcomes people to historic Old Grove Park on Friday evening, July 26, as WOW radio personality Brian Smith, the master of ceremonies, and Savin Rock Festival Committee member Sherri Lepper look on. (City Photo/Tianna Greene)

West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer on Friday evening, July 26, applauds members of the Savin Rock Festival Committee for their volunteerism, hard work and dedication. From left, Killian Gruber, Heather Scutti, Bill Johnson, Rich Deso, Brian Hayden and Rick Spreyer. (City Photo/Tianna Greene)

West Haven High School sophomore Paige Kenny sings the national anthem Friday evening, July 26, as Mayor Dorinda Borer and members of the Savin Rock Festival Committee face the American flag. (City Photo/Tianna Greene)

Local party band Covergirl warms up concertgoers Friday evening, July 26, playing such diverse hits as Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” Bananarama’s “Cruel Summer” and Toto’s “Africa.” (City Photos/Michael P. Walsh)

People cut loose to the music of Covergirl on Friday evening, July 26. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

WOW Radio personality Brian Smith is all smiles introducing Avery Hayden, 5, of West Haven, on Friday night, July 26. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

“Welcome to the 300th annual Savin Rock Festival!” jokes WOW Radio personality Brian Smith, the master of ceremonies, on Saturday evening, July 27, as West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer and Grace Kelly Nowak smile to the crowd. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven’s own Grace Kelly Nowak sings a spectacular rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Saturday evening, July 27. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Faster Things perform a faithful tribute Saturday evening, July 27, to the Allman Brothers Band, including “Melissa,” “Ramblin’ Man” and “Jessica.” (City Photos/Michael P. Walsh)

From left, Lorenzo’s Restaurant bartenders Ron Phifer, Donald Coletta, Selena Izzo and Nicole Conca show the team trophy for winning the Savin Rock Festival’s inaugural “Great Bartender Race” on Saturday afternoon, July 27. The contest provided nonstop fun and laughs on Oak Street Beach, with teams of four competing in relays of skill, including bartenders from Z’s Corner Cafe, The Breakwall, Oak Beach Bar + Grill, Dive Bar & Restaurant, Reruns Bar & Grill, Billie Martin’s Neighborhood Pub and Moby Dick’s Oyster Bar + Grill. The teams were moderated by celebrity judge Councilman Gary Donovan, D-4, while Rick Spreyer, the chief of staff to Mayor Dorinda Borer, served as the hilarious play-by-play announcer. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

The inaugural “Great Bartender Race” participants: Lorenzo’s Restaurant, Z’s Corner Cafe, The Breakwall, Oak Beach Bar + Grill, Dive Bar & Restaurant, Reruns Bar & Grill, Billie Martin’s Neighborhood Pub and Moby Dick’s Oyster Bar + Grill. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Savin Rock Festival Bocce Tournament coordinator Olivia Quagliani, holding the tournament bracket, presents a Dunkin’ gift card to bocce champions Sammy Centola, left, and Tejay Mejias in Old Grove Park on Saturday afternoon, July 27. The annual tournament is held by the West Haven Department of Parks and Recreation. (City Photo/Brian Hayden)

West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer is all smiles with Park-Rec lifeguards Saturday afternoon, July 27. (City Photo)

Children ride on the Wave Runner by Marenna Amusements on Saturday afternoon, July 27. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Rides and games galore by Marenna Amusements on Saturday afternoon, July 27. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Children enjoy the bounce house Saturday afternoon, July 27. All tickets sales went to West Haven Professional Firefighters Local 1198’s annual fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Kyle Steinway, 43, of Milford, throws a baseball at a screen that clocks the speed of the ball Saturday afternoon, July 27. All tickets sales went to West Haven Professional Firefighters Local 1198’s annual fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Longtime craft vendor Diane Della Camera of Savin Rock Printing, joined by her husband, Tom Della Camera, displays her old Savin Rock T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, tote bags and fuzzy dice Saturday afternoon, July 27. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Returning craft vendor Marilyn Wilkes helps a customer choose from her handmade, one-of-a-kind earrings, necklaces and bracelets Saturday afternoon, July 27. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

The crowded Grove on Saturday evening, July 27. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

The busy Food Truck Row on Palace Street on Saturday evening, July 27. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

A hot mozzarella pie is taken out of the brick oven of the New Haven Pizza truck Saturday evening, July 27. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Nick Fradiani’s set list beside the stage Saturday night, July 27. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Mayor Dorinda Borer welcomes Nick Fradiani “from Broadway to West Haven” on Saturday night, July 27. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Members of the Savin Rock Festival Committee join Nick Fradiani after the show Saturday night, July 27. (City Photo/David O’Brien)

(City Photos/Michael P. Walsh)

This press release was produced by the City of West Haven. The views expressed here are the author’s own.