The Mum Festival has long been known as a tremendous regional event for children and families, and that aspect will remain strong and live up to and beyond those traditions. But certain key additions will appeal to other age groups as well, namely twenty-somethings and above, signaling that indeed this is not your grandaddy’s Mum Festival!
From Thursday, September 22nd through Sunday, September 25th Mum Fest will feature over 15 bands playing 20-plus hours of live music from local favorites and regional showstoppers to bands pushing the meter on national attention.
On Thursday and Friday evening from 5pm – 9pm Mum Festival will zero in on local groups with popular acts like the Old Time Fiddlers, Rock Radio, Jason Gerrish, and the Rich Theriault Jazz Ensemble among those set to take the stage.
On Saturday the 24th between 12 pm and 9 pm the stage will be opened up to seven local and well known regional bands making waves in the music scene. Co-main eventing the evening will be tremendous blues performers the Balkun Brothers, and set to close the show will be top regional cover band The Zoo!
On Sunday the 25th immediately following the historic Mum Parade (1:30 pm) the stage will feature the talented Sue Lopes Jazz Quartet who open for headliner Jamie Kent & The Options, a folksy bluegrass americana group whose recent move to Nashville has gained them critical acclaim in Rolling Stone magazine.
“This focus on music and opening the box to all ages has made this an attractive event statewide,” said Festival Chair Mark Walerysiak Jr. “With that, we’re thrilled to announce a natural partnership with Radio 104.1. They are Connecticut’s premier alternative rock station and will help us spread the word and excitement far and wide about this year’s reloaded Mum Festival.”
Radio 104.1’s presence will include a booth on Saturday plus riding in the historic Mum Festival Parade on Sunday. Morning Show host Fisch will also be broadcasting LIVE from Mum Festival on Saturday the 24th and emcee’ing a portion of the festivities.
“As a Bristol resident, I’m even more excited about this years Mum Fest because of these additions, but also because new for 2016, our Radio station is a part of it!” said Fisch.”I’m honored that the All Heart Mum Squad and the City loves what our station stands for, and that they decided we’d be an ideal fit to promote this years party! ALL of our staff has strong Bristol ties, and we all understand that Bristol deserves to be celebrated; and I’m through the moon excited that Radio 104.1 will have the honor of broadcasting LIVE from this years festival…see you all there for the music, the food and the good vibes!”
To top things off, for the first time ever Mum Festival will feature an adult Beverage Garden for all parents and 21-and-overs to enjoy on Saturday and Sunday. The Beverage Garden will be staffed with professional security, be enclosed, and provide a haven for frosty beverages and front row seats to LIVE music. The Bristol Blues will operate the Garden, serving up beers and wines to several hundred under umbrellas and picnic tables.
“It’s exciting,”said Walerysiak Jr. “Safety and family style entertainment are our utmost focus but these additions definitely help broaden the appeal of the Festival to many age ranges which will be a boon to Bristol and even provide parents a nice respite.”
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For more information on the 2016 Mum Festival & Parade please visit: www.bristolmumfestival.com or bristolallheart.com for more details
Festival Inquiries
Mark Walerysiak Jr.
Festival Chair
p: 860.584.4726
Vendor Inquiries
Andy Adams
Vendor Chair
Parade Inquiries
Jack Ferraro
Parade Chair