Middletown's July Fourth: Jazz, Patriotic Symphonies, Fireworks Fete Independence

This year's annual Independence Day Fireworks Festival takes place on July 3 with a music festival on the lawn of City Hall and a fireworks display over the Connecticut River.

The patriotic extravaganza will be a food-truck lovers' dream. Take a look at the local businesses who will be offering their super tasty fare:

• B & M Burgers of Durham 
• Dave's Hot Diggity Dogs of Middletown 
• Deb's Café of Bristol (fried food)
• F & W Caterers of Portland (sausage, hot dogs, fried dough)
• Jean's Place / Steam Caboose of Durham (lemonade, fried dough, steamed hot dogs, fresh-cut french fries)
• Mamoun's Falafel Restaurant of New Haven 
• New England Soft Serve of Colchester 
• NORA Cupcake Company of Middletown 
• Ron's Kitchen Mobile Food Truck of Middletown 
• Rough House Food Truck of Middletown 
• Super Shakes/Fried Dough Bakery of Farmington 
• Vecchitto's Italian Ice of Middletown 

The festival begins at around 6 p.m. and ends with fireworks splashing the night sky beginning around 9:30 p.m. The music begins with the Middletown High School Traveling Jazz Band. 

The Middletown Symphonic Band will accompany the fireworks with live music appropriate for the display at 6 p.m. This year's festival will be covered live and the music accompanying the fireworks will be included in the live broadcast — tune in to WMRD-AM 1150 or WLIS-FM 1420.

The featured band is Forever Motown, featuring the music and choreography of Motown's hit makers, and led by Middletown born and bred Neal Hatcher. The band has a four-piece rhythm section, horns and 4 vocalists. As in year's past, we provide the music and you provide the dancing on the lawn.

You can also expect some new features this year with additional food vendors in a user-friendly location adjacent to the festival grounds. There is abundant free parking throughout the festival area downtown. Arrive early for the best seats, the best parking, and the best entertainment!

For information, see http://www.middletownct.gov, call the City Arts Office at (860) 638-4510 or email arts@middletownct.gov.

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• Photos: Fireworks Return to Middletown Skyline

Road closures: 

• COURT STREET (between Melilli Plaza and deKoven Drive):  2-11 p.m.
• DEKOVEN at WASHINGTON ST: (no southbound traffic) 2-11 p.m.

• HARBOR DRIVE: 5-11pm.

• DEKOVEN DRIVE: 7pm – 11pm.

• DINGWALL: closed between Metro Sq & Dekoven Dr, 7-11 p.m.

• MLK WAY: closed between Metro Square & Dekoven Dr, 7-11 p.m.

• RIVER ROAD: closed between Harbor Drive & Walnut St, 7-11 p.m.

• EASTERN DRIVE: between Silver Street and River Road (southbound traffic only) 7-11 p.m. 

• NO PARKING PERMITTED IN UPPER ARCADE PARKING LOT AFTER 5pm.

PARKING LOCATIONS: Main Street, Melilli Plaza, MUNICIPAL LOTS ON BROAD STREET, COMMUTER PARKING LOT (Eastern Drive), CVH Grounds.

HANDICAPPED PARKING: SOUTH LOT OF HARBOR DRIVE; UPPER CITY HALL PARKING LOT.

SPECTATOR VIEWING: HARBOR AREA, UPPER PARKING ARCADE, CVH GROUNDS.