The week in photos – July 24, 2025

Whether it’s dancing in the park, or attractions for the kids, Family fun, dancing, food and much more highlight the two-day Savin Rock Festival at Old Grove Park. These photos from last year show some of the family-oriented events at the city’s annual gala. Thousands are expected to crowd the former site of the amusement park to witness several national and local headliners.

Whether it’s dancing in the park, or attractions for the kids, Family fun, dancing, food and much more highlight the two-day Savin Rock Festival at Old Grove Park. These photos from last year show some of the family-oriented events at the city’s annual gala. Thousands are expected to crowd the former site of the amusement park to witness several national and local headliners.

City resident Grace Chin receives a citation in honor of her 103rd birthday from Mayor Dorinda Borer during a celebration with friends at Seacrest Retirement Center at 588 Ocean Ave. on July 17. Borer recognized the centenarian “for your exceptional contributions to the fabric of our nation, our state and our city.” Reading the citation, the mayor said, “As you reflect upon more than a century of memories, I hope you are filled with tremendous pride and joy.”

City of West Haven Allingtown Fire Commissioner Michelle Mays, (far left) and Allingtown Volunteer Fire-fighter Steven R. Mullins (attended the swearing-In ceremony of Hamden Fire Chief Shelly L. Carter (Center) last week. The ceremony was history making for Hamden, as Carter is the first woman and first black fire chief in the 100 years of the department. Both Mullins and Mays are members of West Haven’s Black Heritage Committee.

The annual Savin Rock Festival evokes memories – fading though they are with the years – of the amusement park that put West Haven on the map. Begun as a resort area with fine restaurants and shore attractions, it followed the national amusement park craze of the 1880s and 1890s up until the 1920s, an era that saw many such areas come to national attention. The postcards shown here are from the 1890s and 1900s as well as the 1940s and 1950s, considered its golden age.

The annual Savin Rock Festival evokes memories – fading though they are with the years – of the amusement park that put West Haven on the map. Begun as a resort area with fine restaurants and shore attractions, it followed the national amusement park craze of the 1880s and 1890s up until the 1920s, an era that saw many such areas come to national attention. The postcards shown here are from the 1890s and 1900s as well as the 1940s and 1950s, considered its golden age.

The annual Savin Rock Festival evokes memories – fading though they are with the years – of the amusement park that put West Haven on the map. Begun as a resort area with fine restaurants and shore attractions, it followed the national amusement park craze of the 1880s and 1890s up until the 1920s, an era that saw many such areas come to national attention. The postcards shown here are from the 1890s and 1900s as well as the 1940s and 1950s, considered its golden age.

The annual Savin Rock Festival evokes memories – fading though they are with the years – of the amusement park that put West Haven on the map. Begun as a resort area with fine restaurants and shore attractions, it followed the national amusement park craze of the 1880s and 1890s up until the 1920s, an era that saw many such areas come to national attention. The postcards shown here are from the 1890s and 1900s as well as the 1940s and 1950s, considered its golden age.

The annual Savin Rock Festival evokes memories – fading though they are with the years – of the amusement park that put West Haven on the map. Begun as a resort area with fine restaurants and shore attractions, it followed the national amusement park craze of the 1880s and 1890s up until the 1920s, an era that saw many such areas come to national attention. The postcards shown here are from the 1890s and 1900s as well as the 1940s and 1950s, considered its golden age.

The annual Savin Rock Festival evokes memories – fading though they are with the years – of the amusement park that put West Haven on the map. Begun as a resort area with fine restaurants and shore attractions, it followed the national amusement park craze of the 1880s and 1890s up until the 1920s, an era that saw many such areas come to national attention. The postcards shown here are from the 1890s and 1900s as well as the 1940s and 1950s, considered its golden age.

The annual Savin Rock Festival evokes memories – fading though they are with the years – of the amusement park that put West Haven on the map. Begun as a resort area with fine restaurants and shore attractions, it followed the national amusement park craze of the 1880s and 1890s up until the 1920s, an era that saw many such areas come to national attention. The postcards shown here are from the 1890s and 1900s as well as the 1940s and 1950s, considered its golden age.

The Rum Runners, “one of Connecticut’s most popular cover bands where the party never ends,” will kick off Day 1 of the Savin Rock Festival at 6 p.m.

Live and Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney, featuring vocalist Tony Kishman of the Broadway musical “Beatlemania,” will headline Day 2 of the Savin Rock Festival at 8 p.m. Saturday in Old Grove Park, 1 Palace St. From the Beatles favorites that fans know and love to the Wings hits and the solo material, there is something for everyone in Kishman’s multimedia show, which is supported by world-class musicians.

The Voices of Rock, featuring the dynamic vocals of Sean Byrne performing the anthems of classic rock, will kick off Day 2 at 6 p.m. Saturday.

The Stevie Experience, performing a tribute to the “music, story and legacy” of Stevie Nicks, will headline Day 1 of the Savin Rock Festival at 8 p.m. Friday.

Youngsters at the West Haven Child Development Center in the Johnson Community Center building have made sure the summer sun and warm weather becomes a time for fun outside and inside. Hayden 5 yrs old making BIG bubbles.

Youngsters at the West Haven Child Development Center in the Johnson Community Center building have made sure the summer sun and warm weather becomes a time for fun outside and inside. Leonidas Rojas 1.5 yrs old and Nova Wright 2yrs old playing in the gym on scooters.

Youngsters at the West Haven Child Development Center in the Johnson Community Center building have made sure the summer sun and warm weather becomes a time for fun outside and inside. Halle Haynes and Nova Wright both 2 yrs old dancing on a sensory mat.

Youngsters at the West Haven Child Development Center in the Johnson Community Center building have made sure the summer sun and warm weather becomes a time for fun outside and inside. Maverick Boone, Eloise Josef, Theo Correia-Angis, and Dante Manes all close to 3 yrs old are having some fun water time inside.

The Bilco Company was one of the oldest and largest employers in the city and had its headquarters on Water Street. The company left the city after 62 years when the ill-fated Haven project purchased the land, and no alternate site was found for the firm. Today, the area is a vacant area awaiting an announcement by the Haven Group as to its future.

The Bilco Company was one of the oldest and largest employers in the city and had its headquarters on Water Street. The company left the city after 62 years when the ill-fated Haven project purchased the land, and no alternate site was found for the firm. Today, the area is a vacant area awaiting an announcement by the Haven Group as to its future.

Bilco Company marketing materials

Bilco Company marketing materials

Bridges Healthcare’s Folks on Spokes & Step Forward Ride and Walk fundraising event will be held on Sunday, Sept. 14, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting at Fowler Field in downtown Milford. Participants of all ages can choose from several scenic CT coastline routes in Milford and West Haven including 5-, 10-, 20- or 40-mile rides for cyclists and a 5K for walkers. This family-friendly event includes activities for kids, music, lunch, and a special remembrance ceremony to honor lives lost to suicide and overdose. Early bird registration discounts are available through Aug. 17. After that, advanced registration fees are $50 per cyclist, $35 per walker, $15 for kids under 18 (includes a free T-shirt). Children 6 and under are free. Event sponsorships are available. For more information or to register, visit https://bit.ly/BridgesRideWalk2025.