Fireworks Celebration Saturday
By Robin Vinci | Editor at July 2, 2024 | 6:15 pm | Print
The City of New Britain will present one of the biggest Fourth of July celebrations on Saturday in “The 23rd Annual Great American Boom”.
It will take place at Stanley Quarter Park July 4 (rain date: July 5). This giant 4th of July celebration begins at 5 p.m. with the opening of several attractions and food vendors, followed by a concert starting at 6 p.m. by Latanya Farrell and the Bookman Styles Band and finally culminates with a spectacular fireworks display at approximately 9:15 p.m.
“Over the last 5 or 6 years we have made an effort to bring in more food vendors and entertainment,” said Matt Scofield, Recreation Program Coordinator. “The biggest part is the fireworks and the neighborhood celebrations around it.”
The fireworks is one of the biggest in the state and the crowd starts filling the park by 8.
“It has a good reputation as a family event,” Scofield added.
The Recreation Department sets up an entire fleet of attractions set up for the public’s enjoyment including giant trampolines, carnival games, photo booths, interactive inflatables, pony rides, micro derby car races, along with many other attractions. A $5 wristband will need to be purchased to get on the attractions. There will also be a family 4 pack, which will allow for unlimited access to all the attractions and the petting zoo from 5– 8:30 p.m.
Clowns will be aso roaming the park performing magic and creating balloon animals along with a variety of face painters and an artist doing caricatures.
“This is a great opportunity for a family to have a picnic in the park, enjoy all the food vendors, have fun at all the attractions and enjoy a great pre-fireworks concert by Latanya Farrell and the Bookman Styles Band,” said Erik Barbieri, Superintendent of Recreation.
This year will have the largest array of food vendors in the history of the Great American Boom. Vendors will be selling special treats including: hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, pulled pork sandwiches, steak and cheese grinders, fried shrimp, fried clams, Buffalo wings, thai food, fried dough, funnel cakes, fried desserts, Italian ice, ice cream, slushies and more.
“There is no better place to be on July 4th than with friends, family, and neighbors at Stanley Quarter Park to enjoy the spectacular Great American Boom,” Mayor Erin Stewart said. “Over 30,000 people viewed the show last year and I’m looking forward to this year’s event being bigger and better than ever.”
Parking will be made available at Central Connecticut State University. Handicapped parking is available at Stanley Quarter Park through Eddy Glover Boulevard entrance only. Be sure to arrive early and bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and bug spray to sit down and enjoy the firework show. For more exciting program information check out their summer brochure, or visit the web at nbparksnrec.org, or call the Parks and Recreation Hotline at 860-826-3360.
