Pyrotecnico’s Freedom Celebration Fireworks Show will be broadcast live from Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park; the rainy date is July 5
Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki and Director of Cultural Affairs Tina Betz invite residents and visitors to enjoy the city’s annual Independence Day fireworks show. Monday 4 July with family entertainment from 2 p.m. and fireworks at 9.15 p.m. (The rain date is tuesday july 5 for fireworks show only.) The Wilmington 4th of July Freedom Celebration fireworks show by Pyrotecnico will be choreographed to music recorded at Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park, French Street and Rosa Parks Drive, and visible from many nearby locations along the Christina Riverfront.
For those unable to attend in person, the fireworks will be broadcast live by DETV Channel 28 on the Comcast Network, as well as on DETV. website and on Facebook and Twitter, and can also be viewed on the City of Wilmington Facebook. The fireworks will immediately follow the pre-recorded streaming performances of “We Will Rise Up Together” (audio and video) by the combined choirs of the Wilmington Children’s Choir and “God Bless America” (audio and video) from Delaware Choral Arts.
A variety of FREE, family-centered activities will be available at Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park beginning at 2 p.m. In addition to tours of the Delaware tall ship, the Kalmar Nyckel, there will be live music; an artistic creation tent; a petting zoo and pony rides; mini-train rides; sports games; gardening and making flowerpots; balloon art and face painting. Food and merchandise vendors will also be on site throughout the afternoon and evening.
In addition to the city’s celebration, Delaware ChoralArts celebrates Independence Day with a FREE concert of soulful American music on July 4 at Saints Andrew and Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 719 North Shipley Street, beginning at 4 p.m. The program includes works by Aaron Copland, spirituals, and patriotic songs – including numbers sung by the audience – and soloists Martin Hargrove, Kimberly Doucette and Augustine Mercante. The concert will also be broadcast live. For more information, visit delawarechoralarts.org.
Please note that the sale or possession of most fireworks is illegal under Delaware law, so please leave the use of fireworks to licensed professionals instead of attempting to create your own spectacle. While fireworks can be a fun and exciting part of Independence Day, they can also be quite dangerous – sparklers, for example, burn at a temperature of 1,200 F. Again, let them fireworks to the experts, as fireworks in the wrong hands can cause burns. , lacerations, eye injuries, hearing loss and loss of fingers.
4E JULY EVENT PARKING
- Attendees are encouraged to park in one of the many lots around the Orange Street and Market Street areas.
- Enjoy FREE parking at Shipyard Shops, Frawley Stadium and Chase Center on the Riverfront
- Visit the Riverfront Wilmington website for directions to these sites.
- Please note that parking at restaurants along the river is for restaurant customers ONLY.
- The Margaret Rose Henry Bridge (New Sweden) provides easy access to I-95 north and south, I-495 north and south, and Route 13.
ROAD CLOSURES
All participants in the 4e July at Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park, or visiting Riverfront restaurants and area attractions, to plan for road closures and traffic slowdowns. The safety of our customers and the community is our top priority. We expect large crowds for the fireworks; therefore, we strongly recommend that attendees arrive at the Riverfront no later than 8:00 p.m. and plan to stay until after the fireworks. The Wilmington Police Department will be on hand to ensure a smooth and safe ride for Riverfront patrons in and out of the Celebration Zone. Street closures and traffic advisories for the event are as follows:
- Rosa Parks Parkway between Market and French Streets at Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park will be CLOSED beginning at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3.
- The Market Street Bridge will be closed to pedestrian and vehicular traffic from Water Street to A Street from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- One street from Market Street to Walnut Street will be closed from 8:30 p.m.
- All roads exiting Martin Luther King Boulevard in the Riverfront area, including South Madison Street, Tatnall Street, Market Street, Orange Street, West Street and Walnut Street will be closed beginning at 8:30 p.m. in preparation for the fireworks display.
- Traffic leaving the Shipyard Shops or Riverfront area via Madison Street late in the evening will be directed to the exit along Stadium Drive and onto Beech Street and Justison Street.
- All roads will be reopened at the end of the pyrotechnic show.
COMMUNITY AND MEDIA INQUIRIES:
John Rago
Deputy chief of staff
City of Wilmington, Mayor’s Office
Mobile: (302) 420-7928
Email: [email protected]
