As the Branford Festival gets underway for the 27th year, P! News with host Greg Nobile took a spin behind the scenes to see how groups were setting up for the big event.
The Branford Chamber of Commerce, who runs the business expo every held Saturday every year was reading 200 "spots" where vendors will keep booths – be sure to stop by the Branford Patch booth. Painting lines in the grass with spray pain in front of town hall, Susan Finkle from the Branford Chamber was the first to say what everyone was thinking: "We're excited and just crossing our fingers for the weather." Looks like we'll have to contend with a little rain this weekend; you can read Branford Patch's report for more details.
Next it was onto the Branford Rotary tent where members readied the area for the famed book sale and pancake breakfast. Members David Chew and Pete Cimino both noted that it's possible that the pancake breakfast, which began before the festival, could be the genesis of today's festivities. Do you know if the pancake breakfast started the festival? Let us know in the comments section!
Whether the pancake breakfast was the beginning of the fest or not, people turn out in droves for the famed flapjacks. The rotary members said that more than 3,000 pancakes are flipped per year during the Saturday and Sunday morning breakfast offerings.
In addition to pancakes, the Rotary tent offers President Michael Ball's secret-recipe French toast as well as a strawberry shortcake. The shortcake, which the Rotary members claim is the best, is in competition with the Branford Historical Society's . You be the judge and let the community know!
During the weekend, P! News will be chatting with festival goers, taking a look at which foods are favored, peeking behind the scenes and speaking with some road race warriors. Look for us during the festival and stay tuned to the Branford Patch next week for a nightly video series! Hope to see you at the Fest!
