WDEV toasts 90 years on the air with Saturday block party, live broadcast

July 15, 2021  |  By Lisa Scagliotti  

For 90 years, WDEV's offices have been an anchor to lower Stowe Street in Waterbury. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti

Faithful listeners of WDEV’s Saturday morning programming don’t need to just imagine the hosts enjoying themselves during “Music To Go To The Dump By” this weekend – they can join them for a live broadcast at the radio station on Stowe Street. 

The longtime independently owned broadcasting company marks its 90th anniversary this year and will host a block party celebration at and outside of its offices this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

The lower block of Stowe Street between the intersection with Main Street and Bidwell Lane will be closed for the special occasion as WDEV hosts broadcast their shows outdoors.

Expect to see and hear the usual WDEV Saturday on-air personalities who will be joined by a parade of guests that include many former station broadcasters. The lineup includes visits from former Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas and past WDEV program hosts including Tom Beardsley, Dana Jewell and Mark Johnson. Live musical performances will feature Jon Gailmor and Rick Norcross with several of his All-Star Ramblers bandmates. 

Owner Ken Squier invites the public to come visit, mingle, meet the staff, and enjoy refreshments. “This will be a birthday party like you haven’t seen before from the building from which it all began,” he said. 

Station manager Steve Cormier said the broadcast will include the usual Saturday programs including “The Trading Post,” “Music to Go to the Dump By,” “For the Birds” and “In the Garden.” The WDEV staff also will offer tours of the station. 

“We feel and believe that first and foremost we’re a news operation, but along the way we’ve collected a rare breed of folks who talk the talk and make WDEV a very personable radio station,” Cormier said. “We’ve centered our festivities in a way to make WDEV as it always is – unique.” 

There’ll be bagels from KC’s Bagels, 8-10 a.m., and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, 11-1 p.m. Attendees can sign up for a $550 cash prize giveaway and copies of a music CD from the station’s 55th anniversary. 

More information is online at wdevradio.com.