Things to Do in Connecticut on July 4th (To Have Fun)

• 4th of July Jamboree 2019 in East Woodstock: Enjoy live entertainment, children’s games, contests, food, a parade of antique cars, fire trucks, and floats. Local fire departments try to push a 50-gallon barrel through the others’ goals, using, what else: fire hoses.
• The Great American Boom 2019 in New Britain: The annual celebration will include giant trampolines, carnival games, inflatables, pony rides, and micro derby car races. Clowns will be roaming the park performing magic and creating balloon animals. A large array of food vendors on site. Singer Latanya Farrell will perform at 6 p.m
• Fourth of July Bike Parade & Lawn Games 2019 in Southport: This annual event is a bike parade that starts at the Five Corners in Southport Village with decorated bikes, scooters and wagons. The parade ends at the Great Lawn of Pequot Library for face painting, sack races, a hula hoop contest, Revolutionary Relay, crafts, and an American History trivia contest. Hot dogs and drinks are available.
• Fireworks Cruises 2019 in Norwalk: Enjoy a water view of towns’ fireworks displays, and avoid the traffic jams afterward. These special outings about the R/V Spirit of the Sound offer great views of the fireworks, times two, in you count the reflections on the water. July 3 is Norwalk fireworks viewing cruise; July 4 is Rowayton fireworks viewing cruise. Passengers must be over 42 inches tall. Small soft-sided coolers are allowed, but alcoholic beverages and glass bottles are prohibited.
• Search for Fireworks Cruise 2019 on RiverQuest in Hadaam: Take a relaxing evening cruise on the lower Connecticut River, a departure from Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam. Although there are no scheduled fireworks for this evening, we will “search” for any that may be displayed along the edge of the river. Last year we saw a lot of them! Bring your picnic basket and favorite beverage.
• Independence Day Celebration 2019 at Mystic Seaport: Celebrate America’s birthday as it was done in 1876 with boat races, a children’s spelling bee, picnicking, a parade at 1 p.m., and a concert by the Mystic Silver Cornet Band. Also: play croquet with residents of 1876 Greenmanville and watch live performances by the Mystic Seaport TaleMakers. Help churn ice cream and play 19th-century lawn games.
• WILI Boom Box Parade 2019 in Willimantic: Connecticut’s unique people’s parade with no “real” bands only marchers and spectators who bring radios and play them while local radio station broadcasts the marching band music. Live music played on WILI AM. 1400.
• Independence Day Parade 2019 in Madison
• Ivoryton Village 4th of July Parade 2019
• Enfield 4th of July Town Celebration 2019

For More Information on July 4th Events in Connecticut, check out Visit Connecticut.

Things to Do in Connecticut on July 4th (To Stay Safe) Featuring Sparklers

Sparklers can reach temperatures of over 1,000° Fahrenheit and burning three at the same time is equivalent to the heat of a blowtorch. As such, burn injuries are extremely common and a leading cause of hospitalizations on July 4th. Be sure to supervise children using sparklers who are under the age of 12.

The National Fireworks Safety Council’s Tips to Prevent Sparkler Injuries:  

• Light Only One Sparkler at a Time
• Don’t Hand a Lighted Sparkler to Another Person
• Try to Stand Six Feet Away from Others While Using Sparklers
• Never Throw a Lit Sparkler
• Remain Standing while Using Sparklers, Hold them at Arm’s Length, and Never Run while Holding Them
• Don’t Hold a Child in your Arms while Using Sparklers
• Wear Closed-Toe Shoes to Prevent Foot Burns
• Drop Spent Sparklers in a Bucket of Water because they can Remain Hot Long After the Flame has Gone Out