Plans move forward for Family Fourth
NEW CANAAN — Fireworks, food trucks and inflatable children’s attractions are expected to return to Waveny Park this summer for the town’s Family Fourth event that was canceled last year due to the pandemic.
Hours after Gov. Ned Lamont announced relaxing many of the state’s COVID restrictions, a 14-person town committee voted unanimously Thursday night to move forward with the Fourth of July event on July 4 with a rain date of July 5.
Town officials said the agreements with vendors could change based on COVID rules and regulations.
“I am getting the signals and the green lights that we should plan for our regular event,” new committee member and financial officer Tucker Murphy said.
Recreation Director Steve Benko said it was promising they could move forward after Lamont eased restrictions that include allowing outdoor stadiums to open at 50 percent capacity with a limit of 10,000 people as of April 2.
Family Fourth usually attracts between 4,000 and 6,000 attendees who bring their blankets, folding chairs and coolers to celebrate the holiday.
“We don’t have a crystal ball,” Chairman Tom Stadler said when asked how people would feel if the size of the event gets limited if COVID restrictions change again.
Stadler said he expects the town will spend $31,000 on fireworks. International Fireworks of Douglassville, Pa., have been contracted for the event in previous years.
Stadler expects to again use the company, which he said still has the fireworks from last year when the event was canceled due to the pandemic.
In the past, the town has featured musical group Mind the Gap and the New Canaan Town Band, the second oldest town band in the country.
Benko said he would see if the band would be able to perform.
The group will also look for someone to sing the national anthem.
Committee members Suzanne Jonker and Sue Holland agreed that a bouncy house would not be appropriate during the pandemic and instead suggested blow-ups slides.
“I am just happy we are going forward on it,” committee member Maria Weingarten said.