Everything You Need To Know About Fourth Of July Celebrations In Madison (Including The Weather Forecast)

Once again, the Fourth of July weekend has a full slate of activities that will make it one of the best weekends of the entire year in Madison

• On Sunday July 3rd, fireworks are scheduled to start around 9 p.m. The weather forecast for Sunday evening called for rain and possible thunderstorms and lightning. The Madison Fireworks Facebook page reported as of 2:20 p.m. that fireworks would go on Sunday night, "no matter what." Firefighters stationed at West Wharf said they had heard the same thing. The fireworks barge is loaded up and ready to go off of West Wharf beach. As of 5:30 p.m. there was a light drizzle, but that was about it.
• Fireworks can be seen from any of the town beaches and from Hammonasset Beach State Park. See below for information on parking restrictions and transportation options.
• On July 4th at 11 a.m. there will be a parade from the town center to the Surf Club.

Here's what you need to know about the July 3rd fireworks

• You can make it easy on yourself and grab a bus starting around 5:30 p.m. from one of several locations listed below
• Or you can read a detailed list of instructions, also listed below, about driving, parking, how to avoid getting towed, and who to call if that all seems confusing.

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To find out about fireworks in other towns around Connecticut, see this article in CT Out And About.

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The extended weather forecast from the National Weather Service is:  

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind between 3 and 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Independence Day: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Northwest wind at 8 mph becoming southwest. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Monday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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The Madison Police Department has issued the following information about the fireworks on July 3rd.

The fireworks display on July 3rd will be visible from the following town beach locations:  Surf Club, West Wharf and East Wharf.  Admission to these areas is regulated by the Town of Madison Beach and Recreation Department regulations.

If You're Going To Take The Bus:

Public Transportation will be available via buses that will depart and return to the following locations commencing at 5:30 pm:

• the Stop & Shop parking lot on Samson Rock Road
  

• the Railroad Station on Bradley Rd

• the Route 79/Durham Road Commuter Parking Lot

Buses will be dropping off riders at the intersection of West Wharf Rd. and Surf Club Rd.  Following the completion of the fireworks, all buses will return to all locations.

If You're Going To Drive:

Parking restrictions on July 3rd will be in effect as follows:

NO PARKING:   Posted areas of West Wharf Rd, Surf Club Road.Permanent and temporary  parking areas will be enforced and vehicles found in a hazardous location will be subject to towing at the owner’s expense.

West Wharf will be cleared of vehicles commencing at 5:00 p.m. and remaining vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense

Any vehicles parked at East Wharf will not be allowed to leave the lot until all pedestrian traffic has cleared the area

ROAD CLOSURE: The following roads will be closed to inbound vehicular traffic at approximately 8:00 pm on July 3rd.  This closure may occur earlier if vehicle/pedestrian traffic levels are greater than normal.

West Wharf Road

Surf Club Road

Middle Beach West

Island Avenue

Middle Beach Rd. from East Wharf to Island Ave.

 TRAFFIC FLOW PATTERN:  POST FIREWORKS:

Following the completion of the Fireworks display, all operators of motor vehicles are advised to follow the instructions of Police Officers who will be attempting to facilitate the efficient exit of all vehicles.   Police Officers detailed within the Surf Club will form traffic into two outgoing lanes.  NO INBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE ALLOWED TO THE SURF CLUB FOLLOWING THE FIREWORKS UNTIL AUTHORIZED BY POLICE OFFICIALS.   All traffic will exit onto West Wharf Road, which will also be designated as one-way (northbound).   NO SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE ALLOWED ON WEST WHARF ROAD FOLLOWING THE FIREWORKS UNTIL AUTHORIZED BY POLICE OFFICIALS.  Vehicles traveling in the right hand lane of West Wharf Road (outbound from Fireworks) will only be allowed to turn right onto Rt. 1.  Vehicles in the left hand lane on West Wharf Road (outbound from Fireworks) will only be allowed to turn left onto Rt. 1.

 The Madison Police Department desires to make this coming 4th of July weekend a safe and fun event for all.   Please follow the directions of Police Officers assigned to all events.  Be mindful of the increased pedestrian traffic on all roads during this period.   Members of the public can obtain updated information via the police department’s public information number:  203-318-3037 and or Madison Public Television. Additional information can be found on the department’s website: www.madisonct.org

The Madison Police Department urges members of the public to refrain from calling the department’s business (203-245-2721), and emergency numbers (i.e. 911) to ask questions regarding event times, locations etc.   The department’s communications personnel are often inundated with these types of calls during special events.   This inundation of calls during these periods could jeopardize the safety of individuals trying to place calls of an emergency nature and the safety of emergency personnel.