July 4, 2008

Have a Booming Fourth of July this Weekend!

What better way to start the long holiday weekend than with fireworks, family, music and cookouts? Celebrate the Fourth of July at Connecticut’s booming festivities. Get going Friday morning with the WILI “Boom Box” Parade, starting at Jillson Square in Windham. Bring your radio and experience the unique parade that features no bands – just marchers and spectators playing festive marching band music broadcast by WILI-AM. It is the largest parade of its kind in the world. On Friday night, see 3-D Fireworks at Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury. The giant fireworks display takes place over Lake Quassapaug. Purchase special viewing glasses to see the whole presentation in spectacular 3-D. Hear your favorite all-American tunes played by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra at Celebrate America on Friday or Saturday night at the Simsbury Meadows. When the music fades, gear up for the fireworks display that follows! On Saturday, learn about another country with Scottish festivities at the Round Hill Highland Games at Cranbury Park in Norwalk. Experience Scotland’s piping and highland dance competitions, a parade, heavyweight athletics and children’s games. Celebrate the country’s independence with top-name entertainers, family-friendly activities and tasty food at Riverfest. The festival, held at Riverfront Plaza, Charter Oak Landing, Great River Park and Founders Plaza in Hartford and East Hartford, will end with a dazzling display of fireworks shot from a barge on the river.

More ways to celebrate the Fourth of July this weekend!

Four on the Fourth Road Race, Chester (860) 526-2122
Run in the annual four-mile foot race through the scenic roads of Chester, or just come to cheer on the runners. Lace up your running shoes and head to Main Street on Friday at 10 a.m.

Red, White & Blue , Litchfield (860) 567-4045
Taste the Fourth of July at Haight-Brown Vineyard. Sip white wines, sample reds, and taste their signature sangria, which is blue for the occasion. This event takes place on Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Independence Day , Mystic (888) 973-2767
Have a historical holiday with this authentic 1870s Fourth of July celebration at Mystic Seaport. Discover an earlier spirit of independence with special ceremonies and a parade on Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

These highlights represent just a sampling of the many exciting events taking place across Connecticut this weekend. For more information about these and other entertaining activities, click on Specials and/or Events.

This Weekend in Connecticut
July 4, 2008

NORWALK
June 13-Sept. 1 – “Wild Ocean” – The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, 10 North Water Street, Norwalk, CT. Time: Call for schedule. Join the ocean’s predators in an annual gathering off South Africa to feed on billions of migrating sardines in this new IMAX movie. Admission: Adults $9, seniors $8, children (2-12) 6.50, children (under 2) free. Phone: (203) 852-0700

CLINTON
July 3-6 – July Fourth Summer Sale – Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets, Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton, CT. Time: Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Exercise your financial independence at Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets’ summer sale. Enjoy additional saving on all or specially–priced merchandise. Admission: Free. Phone: (860) 664-0700

WOODSTOCK
July 4 – Fourth of July Jamboree – East Woodstock Congregational Church, 220 Woodstock Road, Woodstock, CT. Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Old-fashioned New England celebration with chicken barbeque, parade, live entertainment, food, crafts, relay races, hay rides, cake walk, patriotic sing-a-longs, parade, variety of food, games and silent auction. Admission: Free. Phone: (860) 928-7449

NEW BRITAIN
July 4 – Great American Boom – Stanley Quarter Park, 2159 Stanley Street, New Britain, CT. Time: Begins at 5 p.m., fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Live concert, inflatable play areas, carnival games, petting zoo, roaming clowns, rides on the pond and a magnificent fireworks display. Admission: $5 per person, $15 for a family four–pack. Phone: (860) 612-5000

KENT
July 4 – Bell Ringing Ceremony – Sloane-Stanley Museum, Route 7, Kent, CT. Time: 2 p.m. Experience the tradition Eric Sloane revived in 1963 to celebrate Independence Day. Admission: Adults $4, seniors $3, children (7-17) $2.50. Phone: (860) 927-3849

STATEWIDE
Connecticut Fireworks 2008! - Statewide. A list of fireworks displays happening throughout Connecticut.