Submitted by Allison Behnke, HKYFS
(June 8, 2025) — You might have passed by Parmelee Farm on Friday May 30, 2025 and wondered about the packed parking lot (at HK Middle School, too!), the giant crowd, food trucks, incredible tunes, and dancing people! Hopefully you were one of the lucky music lovers to stop your car, grab a blanket, and enjoy dinner at the picturesque Farm while listening to a concert that will go down in Killingworth history. A record-setting crowd came out to celebrate the start of summer with Victor G. Washington and the Sweet Soul Revue, as well as opening act, Blues on the Rocks.
“The list of headliners out of New York City was mind-blowing, as the bands played non-stop from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.,” said Alli Behnke, one of the Co-Directors at Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services. “Community members of all ages from Killingworth, Haddam, Clinton, Middletown, Branford, Guilford, and more were on their feet, dancing, and swaying to the music. Families were gathered around picnic blankets and running through the fields of Parmelee Farm while enjoying the perfect night out. It really was just pure magic and we’re still pinching ourselves that we got to be part of it all!”
This event was a labor of love. “I’m all about community getting together for a good cause and I can’t think of a better cause than our kids,” said Eileen Unger, the event organizer. “When it came to choosing a nonprofit to partner with, HKYFS was the perfect fit. Every opportunity to get together with neighbors and friends, and to make new friends, is also an opportunity to give back – and for that, I’m always all in.”
Scott Struzinski of What’s On My Roof?, along with his partner, Jon Grossbard, both Killingworth residents, are the masterminds behind Fever Barn Recordings, and both heavy hitters in the world of music. Scott used his passion and talent for bringing great musicians together to rock the house and connect community. If that isn’t enough, he also offered the event FREE so all donations could directly support the work of Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services. Food Vendors G-Monkey vegan, Fire in the Kitchen, and Café Laurel cooked all night long to serve this huge crowd and did an amazing job!
This unbelievable concert was planned, coordinated, and implemented solely by dedicated and selfless volunteers. HKYFS would like to extend its most heartfelt thanks to Scott Struzinski (What’s on My Roof?), the man behind the music, and Eileen Unger (you know her best as The Bread Girl!), for their hard work in promoting, planning and running this “Motown Extravaganza,” along with their outreach for sponsorship and raffle donations for the “coolest raffle ever!”
Someone walked away with a Fender Guitar kit – only after hearing it played by Ryan Newman, local guitar player extraordinaire. Huge thanks to Eileen Blewett, for her commitment to all events at Parmelee Farm, along with Todd Blewett, Linda Dudek and the entire Parmelee Farm Committee for going above and beyond. It goes without saying that volunteerism is the heartbeat of Haddam and Killingworth and what makes our community so incredibly special.
Another huge thank-you to ALL of the musicians who traveled far and wide not only to entertain our small (but mighty!) community, but also to spend countless hours rehearsing behind the scenes. Their energy was infectious and their kindness pre- and post-show was loud and clear, as they expressed a strong interest in the work of HKYFS and a desire to help make a difference.
Thank you to all of the local sponsors and raffle donors who helped bring this concert to Killingworth and for their consistent giving to the mission of HKYFS. Please visit www.hkyfs.org for a list of sponsors and keep supporting their businesses!
“The support we’ve received from the community has meant the world to us at HKYFS,” said Jennifer Favalora, Director of Operations. “The way Haddam and Killingworth showed up and donated to us at this concert was truly remarkable. Thanks to you, we can continue making a positive difference in the lives of the youth and families we serve.”
Photos provided by The Victor G Washington and Sweet Soul Revue Band
As a former committee member and past Chair, I am happy to have read that this was such a successful event. This is why all the volunteers at Parmelee Farm do what they do. To have a place where one can enjoy solitude in nature, hold events that bring the community together, learn about the area’s history, all for free! How lucky you all are. I truly miss Parmelee Farm.