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Updated: Fourth of July events across Connecticut, from fireworks to parades to music

Fireworks during the Macy's Fourth of July celebration in New York, U.S., on Sunday, July 4, 2021. Macys annual fireworks display returned to its usual grand scale over the East River this July 4.
Jeenah Moon
/
Bloomberg via Getty Images
Fireworks mark the Macy's Fourth of July celebration in New York on July 4, 2021.

Middletown is among the Connecticut cities that rescheduled its fireworks display and Fourth of July celebration due to unsettled weather.

Here's an updated list of fireworks and events celebrating the Fourth of July in Connecticut.

Enfield

July 8-10
Enfield Town Green
https://www.enfieldcelebration.org/

A parade will step off at 11 a.m. on July 9 along Enfield Street from the Olde Enfield Town Hall to the town green. The event includes a 5K race and children's 1K starting at the corner of North Main Street and the Town Hall Access road on the Higgins Green on July 9 starting at 10 a.m.

Concerts are scheduled July 8, 9 and 10. 1980s rockers Vixen are slated to perform at 8:30 p.m. on July 9 followed by glam metal band Slaughter at 10 p.m.

The weekend ends with the fireworks show July 10 at about 9:30 p.m.

Hartford

July 3
Bushnell Park
https://fb.me/e/24luFQKSN

Hartford Bonanza — hosted by First Night Hartford — hosts a Fourth of July celebration in Bushnell Park. Music is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. with fireworks shortly after 9 p.m.

July 1-3
Yard Goats, Dunkin' Donuts Park
https://www.milb.com/hartford

One more chance to see postgame fireworks at the Hartford Yard Goats at Dunkin' Donuts Park during their series with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. Yard Goats players will wear red, white and blue uniforms Sunday. The game starts at 6:30 p.m. Standing room tickets were still available Sunday morning.


Across New England, expect a busy travel weekend on the roads for Fourth of July


Middletown

Rescheduled: July 3
Harbor Park
https://www.middletownct.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=5116&month=7&year=2022&day=2&calType=0

The festival kicks off at 5 p.m. with live music, family activities and food vendors throughout the harbor area and along DeKoven Drive. Fireworks are scheduled to start at about 9:30 p.m. A rain date is scheduled for July 3.

New Britain

July 4
Great American Boom
Willow Brook Park
www.nbparksnrec.org

There is a $10 per car charge for New Britain's Great American Boom at Willow Brook Park. Pre-registration is required through the New Britain Parks and Recreation website. Gates open at 7 p.m. and will close at about 9 p.m. with the fireworks expected to begin soon after gates close. Parking passes must be picked up in person at the New Britain Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department (27 W. Main St., Room 302, New Britain) from 8:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. until July 1. The rain date is July 5.

New Haven

July 4
Wilbur Cross High School
https://visitnewhaven.com/things-to-do/events-calendar/140-holidays/51372-new-haven-fireworks

Fireworks are set off from the top of East Rock at about 9 p.m. Crowds gather at Wilbur Cross High School, but the show can be seen throughout the city — and by boat in Long Island Sound.

New London

July 8-10
Sailfest
New London’s Waterfront Park and nearby streets
https://sailfest.org/

Fireworks are scheduled for July 9 at 9 p.m. Organizers tout the display as one of the largest on the East Coast. The star attraction still may be the ships and boats docked in and around New London Harbor for the Fourth of July weekend. The Tall Ship Amistad — a 129-foot Amistad schooner replica — is expected to be open for tours. The Thames River Heritage Park Water Taxi is expected to run July 8-10. Visitors can alsobook a trip on the water taxi to view the fireworks from the river.

Sailfest also features live music on two stages, including a stage for Latin performers. There will be amusement park rides and over 100 vendors to visit throughout the weekend.

Newington

July 16
Mill Pond Park
https://www.newingtonct.gov/1423/Extravaganza

Food vendors, amusement park rides and an adult beer garden are expected at Newington Extravaganza! Live music acts include Soundbite, Dually Noted, Shaded Soul and Michael Minelli. The event ends with fireworks scheduled for 9:30 p.m. The rain date is July 17.

Putnam

July 9
Rotary Park
https://www.discoverputnam.com/events

Four-piece, rock band Whiskey Boulevardis scheduled to play at 7 p.m. before fireworks at about 9:15 p.m.

Waterbury

July 3
Brass Mill Center
www.facebook.com/waterburyextravaganza

The Waterbury Food Truck & Firework Extravaganza is scheduled for 2 to 10 p.m. Organizers are promoting more than 30 food trucks along with face painting, henna and children's activities.

Willimantic

July 4
Fourth of July Boom Box Parade
Jillson Square Park
https://www.windhamrec.org/program.htm?prog_id=EJ03HKWP&cat_id=JQ0EUJFS

One of the most unique parades in New England, thousands of people line Main Street to watch the parade. Anyone with a boombox is welcome to march — just show up and get in line. Wear some red, white and blue and bring a radio tuned to WILI (1400-AM).

PAST EVENTS

DERBY

July 1
3rd Street
https://www.derbyct.gov/calendar

Fireworks are scheduled for about 9:15 p.m.

Derby Day will be July 2 on the Derby Town Green. A fashion show, live music and a Taste of Derby competition will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Killingly

July 1
Owen Bell Park
https://fb.me/e/1SfzEvJMf

Fireworks are expected to go off starting at 9:15 p.m. with the band Red Light scheduled to perform before the fireworks.

Litchfield

July 1
Litchfield High School
https://litchfieldct.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29890

There are 200 spaces at Litchfield High School and Litchfield Intermediate School combined to view the fireworks shortly after 9 p.m. Pre-registration is required in advance and is $20 per car. The rain date is July 8. There are no refunds if the event is moved to the rain date.

New Milford

July 1
Town Green
newmilford-chamber.com/2018-fireworks/

An opening ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m. followed by a show by the band SongHorse at 7 p.m. and fireworks at about 9:30 p.m. The rain date is July 9.

Salisbury (Lakeville area)

July 1
Lime Rock Park
https://limerock.com/event/lighting-up-lime-rock-fireworks-2022/

Gates open at 6 p.m. with fireworks expected to start shortly after 9 p.m. The rain date is tentatively July 2.

Simsbury

July 1
Simsbury Meadows
https://hartfordsymphony.org/concerts/celebrate-america-8/

The Hartford Symphony will perform at 7:30 p.m. followed by fireworks. Tickets start at $27.50 for seats on the grass, with seats at a table closer to the stage costing $50. The rain date is July 2.

Stratford

June 30
Short Beach Park
https://www.stratfordct.gov/communitycalendar

Fireworks are scheduled shortly after 9 p.m. with a rain date of July 5.

Contact us
Let us know if we missed an event in your community: jwelch@ctpublic.org

Sources: Connecticut Public research; assorted websites.

Note: This listing will be updated. Check back often.

Jim worked for more than 20 years as a digital producer, editor and reporter for several newspapers. A lifelong Connecticut resident, he will always be a fan of the Whalers and Caldor.

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