The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
BOOM! FIREWORKS
NEW HAVEN COUNTY BRANFORD/STONY CREEK
Church of Christ Congregational, 192 Thimble Islands Road, Stony Creek, will hold its Independence Day Barbecue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 1, rain or shine. Proceeds benefit a Branford charity.
GUILFORD
The Guilford Parks and Recreation Department sponsors a fireworks display on Saturday, July 8. Preceding the fireworks will be the Community Picnic from 4-7 p.m. on the Town Green with the 100-piece Community Band and inflatables for the kids. At the Fairgrounds at 7 p.m., concert by Ball in the House, followed by the fireworks at approximately 9:25 p.m. Rain date July 9.
MADISON
The Wallingford Symphony Orchestra will perform a free pops concert on the Madison Green, from 7 to 9 p.m., Saturday July 1. A fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Monday, July 3, from the Surf Club. The 39th Annual Exchange Club of Madison Independence Day Parade steps off from downtown Madison at 11 a.m. and ends at the Surf Club, Tuesday, July 4, 11 a.m. The parade forms from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. in the Super Stop & Shop parking lot and winds through the center of Madison, and concludes at the Surf Club. Details at facebook.com/pages/Madison-Fireworks/208635912590022, or the Exchange Club website, madisonexchange.org.
NEW HAVEN
Enjoy New Haven’s annual fireworks display from East Rock Park 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4. For great viewing and a pre-fireworks concert, go to the Wilbur Cross High School Field at 8 p.m. For further details go to visitnewhaven.com.
WEST HAVEN
In West Haven, the Savin Rock Fireworks Spectacular fired off from Bradley Point, 9 p.m., July 3 (rain date, July 5). Viewable from the town’s shoreline, or, before the display, partygoers can shake, rattle and roll to Top 40 music at the Savin Rock bandstand from 5 to 9 p.m. Details at cityofwesthaven.com.
NEW LONDON COUNTY SOUND VIEW, OLD LYME
The Sound View Beach Association will sponsor an Independence Day Parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 1, starting from Hartford Avenue. Marching band, VFW Honor Guard, children marchers, decorated bikes, floats, balloons. Prizes will be awarded to children for best costume, most patriotic, funniest outfit, and best decorated bike and wagon. Join line up at 9:45 a.m. on Hartford Avenue. Details, call Gail, 860-434-6426.
OLD LYME
The Old Lyme fireworks display takes place July 29 at dusk behind the middle school. Enjoy a picnic supper and get a great viewing position while listening to the Old Lyme Town Band perform beginning at 7:30 p.m.
LITCHFIELD COUNTY NEW MILFORD
New Milford Fireworks and celebration, July 1-2 on the green in New Milford, Lions Club Carnival at Young’s Field; live music on the bandstand.
TORRINGTON
Torrington Independence Day celebration, (usually) July 1-2 OR July 4 at Torrington Middle School, 200 Middle School Drive. Children’s carnival, fireworks at dusk.
WASHINGTON
Washington Fireworks at Shepaug High School, 2830 Lenwood Road, Washington, July 4.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY FAIRFIELD
Independence Day Fireworks Show, dusk (around 9:15 p.m.), Sunday, July 2 (raindates July 3 and 4). Grucci fireworks show set off from a barge in Long Island Sound, viewed from Penfield or Jennings Beaches. Entertainment at both beaches. Details at www.fairfieldct.org/fireworks.
WESTPORT
Westport’s Fireworks display is scheduled for 9 p.m. Monday, July 3, at Compo Beach. Rain date is July 5. Details at www.westportpal.org.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY CHESTER
Four on the Fourth, the Chester four-mile Road Race, begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 4, from the flagpole, Main Street, Chester Center. Free
parking at the Water Street and Maple Street parking lots. Prizes for participants and festivities for onlookers provided by the Chester Rotary Club. Registration $25 day of race. Online registration at active.com. Details at www.chesterrotary.
CLINTON
The Summer Fest and Fireworks display at Clinton Town Beach begins at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25. The highlight of this family-friendly event is a large fireworks show at sunset, produced by Bay Fireworks. Other festivities include music, art and fun food. Activities also take place in other locations in town. Parking throughout town, with shuttles to bring attendees to the beach. Details at clintonct. com/fireworks/ for more schedule information.
MIDDLETOWN
FireworksFestival,fireworksshotbargeoffofHarborPark (dusk),6to10p.m.,July1;raindate:July2.Takesplacealongthe ConnecticutRiverwithviewingspotsthroughoutthecity.Actual festivaltakes place on the lawn of the Municipal Bldg, 245 deKoven Drive and includes music, ethnic foods, ice cream vendors, and children’s activities. Also live music, and ethnic foods, ice cream vendors located in Harbor Park directly on the riverfront. Third largest fireworks festival in the state. Featured bands Los Sugar Kings — a Boston-based Cuban roots, rock and reggae fusion band; Sweet Daddy Cool Breeze peforming energized blues and featuring Jaimoe (from the Allman Brothers Band) on drums; and the Middletown Symphonic Band performing live with the fireworks display.