2011 July 4th Events and Fireworks in New England

The 4th of July holiday is coming up soon and if you live in New England you are probably trying to find some fun things to do. This is the holiday when it is usually warm in New England, when families get together around the barbecue or pool, go to the beach, and watch fireworks displays. We have waited all year through the cold and snow to get outside and during this 4th of July weekend we also get to celebrate our great country and our freedoms.

Check out some of these featured New England cities for the best Fireworks displays and July 4th Independence Day Celebrations around.

July 4th Celebrations in Connecticut

Turn of the Century Festival and Pet Parade, Litchfield, Connecticut: July 4, 2011

Bring your animals (provided they are caged or leashed) to march through the streets of Litchfield and then join in turn of the century themed party featuring old-timey games like sack races, tug-of-war contests, seed-spitting competitions, and an ice cream social. Website: www.litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org

Riverfest 2011, Hartford, Connecticut: July 9, 2011

Riverfest offers free entertainment including live bands, musicians, clowns, roving entertainers, and children’s activities. Fireworks displays can be seen at 3 locations: the Mortensen Riverfront Plaza at 300 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford; Founders Plaza and Great River Park, at 301 East River Drive, East Hartford. Rain date for fireworks is July 10. Time: 4 to 9:30 p.m. Website: www.riverfront.org/events/festivals/#Riverfest.

Independence Day Celebration, Town Green, Enfield, Connecticut: July 8 – 10, 2011

A classic Independence Day festival after the Fourth of July. Includes a juried crafts fair, Taste of Enfield, parade, concerts, children activities, 5K road race, and fireworks on Sunday. Live music includes: Friday, Shaboo All Stars at 7 pm and The Fab Four at 9:30 pm; Saturday, the Marshall Tucker Band at 7 pm, Dickie Betts and Great Southern at 9:30 pm; on Sunday, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 pm, fireworks display at 9:45 pm at the Town Green on Route 5. Time: Friday, 5 pm to midnight; Saturday, 10 am to midnight; Sunday, 10 am to 11 pm Free Admission. Website: www.enfieldcelebration.org

Sailfest, New London, Connecticut: July 9, 2011

Foxwoods Casino sponsors this yearly Fireworks Extravaganza and it is one of the best in New England. It is part of the week long Sailfest event on the Thames River in New London, Connecticut. Listen to Q105 (105.5) or WELJ (104.7) just after 9pm for your cue to give a shout out to your friends across the Thames River. It’s the yearly call across the Thames from the Groton to the New London side of the river. The fireworks by the world famous Grucci Brothers starts at 9:20 pm and is simulcast over the radio stations listed above. Webiste: www.sailfest.org/content/fireworks

July 4th Celebrations in Maine

Bath Heritage Days, Bath, Maine: July 1 – 4, 2011

This Bath, Maine celebration includes Smokey’s Greatest Show and Carnival, annual Art in the Park Festival, Chili-Chowder Fest, and a Whoopie Pie eating contest. Live music, food vendors, skateboarding competitions, and a craft show. Parade on the 4th at 11 am, a boat parade on the Kennebec River at 2 pm, and fireworks over the river beginning at 9 p.m. Website: www.bathheritagedays.com

July 4th Celebrations in Massachusetts

Boston Harborfest, Massachusetts: June 30 – July 5, 2011

The week-long Boston Harborfest includes: Party on the Plaza, Chowderfest, and Children’s Day. Other highlights include historical Boston walking tours, interactive reenactment of the Boston Tea Party, Clambake on Spectacle Island, firework cruises, and 19th century gun drill performances. Website: www.bostonharborfest.com

1830s Independence Celebration, Sturbridge, Massachusetts: July 3-4, 2011

For the holiday weekend, period actors and entertainers will be on-site to help guests enjoy 19th century games and activities, a pie-eating contest, juggling, comedy, live music, and a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Fireworks will be on Sunday evening. Website: www.osv.org

Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular in Boston, Massachusetts: July 3 – 4, 2011

Concerts are held on July 3 and 4, both starting at 8:30 pm July 4 only, the concert is followed by a fireworks display over the Charles River at 10:30 pm. Website: www.july4th.org

Fireworks and Harbor Illumination, Marblehead, Massachusetts: July 4, 2011

The Fireworks begin at 9 pm in the harbor from barges at the mouth of the harbor. Website: www.marbleheadfireworks.org

Summerfest and Fireworks Display, New Bedford, Massachusetts: July 2 – 3, 2011

The New Bedford Summerfest features American art, music, and culture. Fireworks on Sunday over the harbor at 9:45 pm Musical groups include: Le Vent du Nord, Cheryl Wheeler, Sloan Wainwright, Ellis Paul, and more. Website: www.newbedfordsummerfest.com

July 4th Celebrations in New Hampshire

Fourth of July Party Train on the Hobo Railroad, Lincoln, New Hampshire: July 4, 2011

The Hobo Railroad in Lincoln, NH will take passengers for a ride along this historic railroad through the White Mountains region of New Hampshire. This special 4th of July train sells hot dogs and ice cream, and Independence Day themed entertainment. Fireworks from the Railroad parking lot at 9:30 pm Website: www.hoborr.com

Independence Day Barbecue, Tamworth, New Hampshire: July 2, 2011

Location: Remick Museum and Farm, 58 Cleveland Hill Road. Time: 11 am to 2 pm Cost: $3 admission. Website: http://www.remickmuseum.org

July 4th Celebrations in Rhode Island

Fourth of July Celebration, Bristol, Rhode Island: July 3 – 4, 2011

Bristol’s Independence Day celebration includes: vintage baseball games, Miss Fourth of July pageants, golf tournaments, community barbecues, and a 4th of July Parade. Website: www.july4thbristolri.com

July 4th Celebrations in Vermont

Street Fair and Fourth of July Parade, Wardsboro, Vermont: July 3-4, 2011

This Wardsboro Street fair features live music and entertainment, an arts and crafts show, a weekend-long art show and book sale, antique cars, children’s games, and a quilt show. Street fair begins at 9 am and the parade shortly thereafter. Website: www.sites.google.com/site/wardsboroparade

Vermont Symphony Orchestra. Shelburne, Vermont: July 4, 2011

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra will make a special 4th of July stop at beautiful Shelburne Farms for an outdoor performance during their “Symphony Royale” tour. Concert begins at 7:30 pm. The performance will conclude during the fireworks display with the 1812 Overture and other patriotic selections. Website: www.shelburnefarms.org or www.vso.org.