Stratford fireworks to return on Thursday
Display planned for Short Beach
STRATFORD — They’re back with a bang.
After last year’s Fourth of July fireworks were canceled due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, they will return this year Thursday, July 1 at Short Beach, with a rain date of July 2.
The show is scheduled to start about 9 p. m.
Parking will be available for vehicles with Stratford resident stickers at Short Beach Park and the Stratford Army Engine Plant starting at 4 p. m. — but vehicles without stickers will not be permitted.
After the show, traffic exiting the Army Engine Plant will be directed north on Main Street.
Vehicles leaving Short Beach will be directed to use both lanes to exit.
Traffic from the right lane will be directed onto Stratford Road, then Prospect Drive, Oak Bluff and Lordship Boulevard.
Traffic from the left lane will be directed onto Short Beach Road, Lighthouse Avenue, Prospect Drive, Stratford Road, and Lordship Boulevard.
Residents will be allowed to enter Lordship until the start of the show, but Lordship Boulevard will be closed to eastbound traffic from Access Road to Oak Bluff Avenue until traffic flow returns to normal.
Town officials estimated it will take about 90 minutes for Short Beach Park to be emptied after the show, during which there will be no vehicular access into Lordship.
“It is strongly advised that Lordship residents and anyone looking to come into Lordship plan accordingly,” a statement announcing the fireworks on the town website says.
In a prepared statement announcing the show, Mayor Laura Hoydick said it will be good to see the fireworks again after last year’s cancellation.
“We are excited to have this great Stratford tradition return,” she said. “I hope residents and their families will view the fireworks from their favorite spot as we come together to celebrate our nation’s birth.”