New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
City puts centennial fireworks show online
WEST HAVEN — Gail Hande flipped a light switch to launch the West Haven Centennial Fireworks, according to the city.
And at that moment, “fireworks blasted off Bradley Point and exploded over Long Island Sound, dazzling the all-ages crowds along West Haven’s 3 miles of public beaches” with the display, officials said.
But there are likely those who missed the “25-minute pyrotechnics” presented by the City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee and the Savin Rock Fireworks Committee.
Watch them and the concert at https://youtu.be/ hlBe2IYc0qE.
Hande, of West Haven, and her husband, Rich Hande, were joined by Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, fireworks committee Co-Chairwoman Sandy McCauley, radio personality Brian Smith, the master of ceremonies, and the evening’s entertainment, singer Kathy Thompson of the Kathy Thompson Band, according to the city.
Hande’s name was drawn in the raffle at the Aug. 28 centennial concert. She was among dozens of supporters who purchased a $10 centennial lawn sign and was entered into a raffle for a chance to flip the switch to launch the fireworks, billed as “They Will Be Heard on the 3rd,” according to the city.
“This is a very exciting evening — it’s one of our biggest centennial events,” Rossi said, according to the release. “I do want to thank (Chairwoman) Beth Sabo and the centennial committee. I want to thank the fireworks committee. I want to thank public works, public safety … and a great group of volunteers as well.”
The display was part of a six-month series of events commemorating West Haven’s 1921 founding and its incorporation by the General Assembly as Connecticut’s youngest municipality, according to officials.
“The fireworks joined a long list of special events observing West Haven’s secession from Orange a century ago, including the Centennial Boat Parade in June and the Centennial Savin Rock Festival in July. The rural and residential sections of Orange separated in 1921 when the residential part, West Haven, became the state’s youngest town.”
For centennial merchandise, visit the official online store at https://merchwebstores.com/West-HavenCentennial/shop/home.
A portion of the vendors’ merchandise proceeds will support the centennial account, according to Sabo, the city’s commissioner of human resources.
For a complete list of centennial events, see the schedule at www. cityofwesthaven.com/343/ Centennial-Events.