Darien’s July 3 Fireworks Display: What to Know If You Go [UPDATE]

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Darien Fireworks 2015 From Brochure
Darien Fireworks 2015 From Brochure

 

UPDATE, July 3:

The weather looks fine for tonight’s fireworks at Darien High School, with the National Weather Service predicting partly cloudy skies and a light, 6 mph south wind.

The overnight low should be 63 degrees, according to the weather service.

If you don’t have parking passes already, it’s too late to buy any (they’re all sold out), but you can walk in to the high school campus for free. Parking is available less than a mile away at the Middlesex Middle School and McGuane Park lots until they fill up.

Norwalk has its fireworks Friday night as well, at Calf Pasture Beach.

Bring your blanket and, if you want, money for the food trucks that will be on site.

Original article, June 22:

This year’s town fireworks display takes place, as usual, at Darien High School, and you can now get tickets at Darien Town Hall.

The Darien Fireworks Committee is organizing this year’s event, which was previously organized by the Darien Firefighters Foundation.

“If anyone would like to help us out, then we’ll be glad to put you to work,” said Selectman Susan Marks, one of the three members of the committee. (The other two members are Sara Franzese and Rachel Hennemuth.)

Food vendors will be on site from Baskin-Robbins, Bodega, Gopher Ice Cream, LobsterCraft, Meatball & Co., Meltmobile, Non-Stop Donuts Shop and Uncle’s Deli.

The center oval in the high school fields can be used this year, again, but no food or drink will be allowed in them, Marks said. At a meeting of the Operations Planning Committee of the town last Wednesday, it was stated that the oval would not be open to the public this year, but that statement wasn’t accurate, Marks said.

The rain date for the event is Sunday, July 5, and if it looks like the weather will be bad, the decision on whether to postpone the display will be made on July 3 (the scheduled day of the fireworks).

“David Genovese [of Baywater Properties] should get a huge, big thank-you,” Marks said. Genovese not only contributed to the event, but he went to merchants in town to help round up more contributors, she said. “It’s a huge, huge job that he does.”

Marks said more people may come to this year’s event than in the past because fireworks in Stamford are scheduled for the night before — Thursday, July 2. In some previous years, Stamford’s fireworks were held on the same day.

Parking Passes

Although entry into Darien High School grounds is free, parking at the high school costs $25 per vehicle (and it guarantees you a spot, according to event organizers).

Parking passes are now available for purchase at Darien Town Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Passes will be sold up to Thursday, July 2 (the day before the event). You won’t be able to get one at the event.

You must display the pass inside your front windshield.

Parking at the high school and nearby

There will be NO PUBLIC PARKING this year in the parking lots at St. Thomas More Church, the Darien Community Association or the United Methodist Church of Darien, according to Marks.

Here’s what a flyer from the event organizers says about parking at the event:

“All PAID parking traffic will enter Darien High School campus from Noroton Avenue ONLY. Nutmeg Lane entrance will be closed and will exit only to Hollow Tree Ridge Road. High School Lane entrance will be closed and exit only to Middlesex Road.”

Darien Police Department has issued an announcement about parking. The announcement has this information on where to park and where not to park:

  • Noroton Avenue — fuggedabout it. No parking at all.
  • Holly Lane (public portion only): Parking on the south side only, facing Middlesex Road
  • Libby Lane: Parking on the west side only, facing Middlesex Road
  • Parking lots within a one-mile walk: Middlesex Middle School, McGuane Field

Here’s an online map of the area.

The police announcement also says, in part:

“Cars will be parked in a manner so that all vehicles will be facing away from the high school area to expedite traffic flow at the conclusion of the display. No vehicles will be allowed to enter the high school property until 6:30 p.m.

“Residents should be advised that there is a limited number of handicapped parking spaces available and a handicapped permit will be required to access the handicapped area.

“Due to the large number of persons expected to attend this display, it is urged that whenever possible, residents allow sufficient time to walk to the display area to alleviate as much as possible the anticipated traffic congestion.

“Approximately 34 police officers will be stationed at various points, along with barricades and ‘No Parking’ signs to regulate parking.

“Due to the large number of vehicles expected, it will be necessary to enforce parking regulations by designating tow-away zones. Vehicles that are determined to be in a hazardous location, vehicles that are impeding traffic flow and vehicles that are blocking driveways will be towed away by an on-duty wrecker that will be on site throughout the event.” […]

“[A]nyone caught tampering with or removing ‘No Parking’ signs will be arrested.

“When capacity has been reached for all parking, Noroton Avenue Extension will be closed.

Picking up children

The police announcement also says:

“Parents are reminded that they will not be allowed into the high school area to pick up their children until after the roads are clear.

“Parents should arrange a pickup site and tell their children to wait at that site until they can gain entry into the area.”

More police rules, tips and information

  • “Reminder: No alcoholic beverages are allowed on any school property. […]
  • “For the safety of all spectators, light-colored clothing should be worn and, if possible, spectators should carry a flashlight or a chemical light.
  • “A Police Department and emergency services command post will be located in the parking lot near the entrance to the football field.
  • “As a safety precaution, Darien Police Department will be deploying additional assets to this event, and all bags, backpacks and coolers will be subject to inspection.”

 

Sponsors and organizers

Sponsors 2015 Darien CT Fireworks Display

Here\’s a list of sponsors of the 2015 Darien fireworks display.

 

 

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