Saturday: Best of the Branford Festival

The first day of the Branford Festival is over, but don't think that means you have a lot of time to recover. You'll have to get up early (we will be, too) to make it to everything tomorrow. Warning: there's a lot. With three stages of music and events and specials going on like crazy all around them (Branford's Got Talent! The Historical Society's strawberry shortcake!), get ready for a long, fun day. Here's what not to miss.

Main Stage

Performances on other stages start at 9 a.m., but Main Stage entertainment doesn't start until the early evening.

• Steamroller
  5:15 p.m.
  Today's Branford band Hitlist made sure to give a shoutout to their hometown in their set, and we have no reason to think Steamroller won't do the same. The local boys play a selection of classic rock, country and reggae covers.
• Father of the Year Essay Winner
  5:45 p.m.
  We can't wait for this prelude to Father's Day, and to see what prizes (we know, but we're not telling!) the lucky father and his talented child receive.
• Last Licks
  6:00 p.m.
  According to their website, the band "differentiates themselves from all other bands in the genre by pulling out the songs that are uncommonly played, yet very well known and loved." The website hints at possible songs, including two of our favorites, "Pump It Up" by Elvis Costello and "Young Americans" by David Bowie -- please don't be offended if you hear us yelling those requests during the set!
• Introduction of Festival Committee
  7:15 p.m.
  Mary Hally, Barbara Barringham and a host of others work hard every year to put the Branford Festival together. Come show them how much you appreciate their efforts. 
• Beau Bolero (Steely Dan Tribute Band)
  7:30 p.m.
  This tribute band not only faithfully duplicate the music of Steely Dan, in a strange way they duplicated their career path: like their inspirations, they broke up in the 1980s and reunited after a long absence. They've been back in the game since 2010.
• 7 Bridges (Eagles Cover Band)
  9:00 p.m.
  Members of 7 Bridges go the extra mile: each member plays their "double" in the band they cover. The band features Jason Manning as Glenn Frey, Keith Thoma as Don Henley, Bryan Graves as Randy Meisner/Timothy B. Schmit, Ray Neighbors as Joe Walsh, Douglas Gery as Don Felder, and Vernon Roop as Joe Vitale.
  
  

Back Stage

• 9:00 A.M. to 9:30 A.M.

  Mary Tisko Chorus led by David Langlais

• 9:30 A.. – 10:00 A.M.

  Sliney Singers led by Katherine Bernard

Main Street Stage

• 9:00 A.M. to 9:30 A.M.

  Dance Unlimited Performing Company

• 9:30 A.M. to 10:00 A.M.

  Soundview YMCA ZUMBA

Other Attractions

• The Historical Society's Strawberry Festival
• It's the Historical Society's main fundraising event of the year, and $7 gets you strawberries, whipped cream, biscuits and lemonade. Proceeds benefit historical preservation, education and a high school scholarship. Head to the main green -- the event will run from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. or whenever the strawberries run out.
• Craft Fair and Expo
  You can't miss it -- the craft fair and expo will take over the town green today all day until 5 p.m. The dozens of vendors include new philanthropic start-up  and, ahem, Branford Patch. (Stop by and say hi!)