For the first time in its six-year history, Buscetto’s Bash at the Beach, an annual event that raises money for local organizations, will raise money for both Waterford and New London groups.
Before, the event just raised money for New London organizations. The change follows the tract of the event’s organizer, Michael Buscetto III, who moved from New London to Waterford earlier this year.
“In the upcoming years Waterford and New London are going to have to work together to maintain services,” Buscetto said. “So maybe this will bridge the gap between the two.”
Buscetto is a New London native, a former New London City Councilor and was a candidate for mayor of New London in 2011. Earlier this year, he moved to Waterford, and has since said he will be active in both the Waterford and New London communities.
This year’s Bash at the Beach event will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 5 at its usual location, Ocean Beach's Port N’ Starboard. In the past five years, the event has raised more than $250,000 for New London organizations, and now for the first time some of those funds will go to organizations that benefit Waterford as well, Buscetto said.
“I want to show that (Waterford and New London) are not necessarily rivals, that we have a lot in common,” Buscetto said.
Buscetto said some of the funds raised this year will benefit organizations that benefit both Waterford and New London. For example, he said he will give money to The Friendship School, which serves New London and Waterford students, and the New London High School and Waterford High School art departments, which work together to host a show at the Hygienic.
Additionally, Buscetto said he will donate some of the proceeds to New London and Waterford Youth Services.
The Event
The event is at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 5 at Ocean Beach’s Port N’ Starboard. Tickets are $10 for the event, although in the past many people have given more than the suggest donation.
“We try to keep it affordable to most people,” Buscetto said. “It is meant to be a big, fun community event where people can go out and have a good time and raise money for local organizations.”
The event will feature food from a variety of local restaurants, including Filomena’s, which Buscetto owns. There also will be performances from local youth organizations and silent auctions, and the money raised goes to benefit mostly youth organizations in Waterford and New London, Buscetto said.
People can buy tickets for the event at Muddy Waters in New London and Filomena’s in Waterford. For more information or to help volunteer or donate to the event, contact Buscetto at mikebus@sbcglobal.net. To view the event's Facebook page, click here.
