Flashlights Yes, Dogs No—

Ready For The Tercentennial Party?

There are a few rules of common civility that the Tercentennial Committee hopes Newtown residents will respect as the town prepares to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Newtown’s founding on Saturday, August 6.

Mike Fitzsimons, the Tercentennial Committee member who has headed the effort to bring the fireworks display to the August 6 celebration, says that preparations for the display will begin on Friday, August 5.  Yellow caution tape will mark off areas of Queen Street and Grand Place, as well as any other access areas to where fireworks will be set up.

“The yellow tape is not for people to ignore,” he cautions. Fireworks will be delayed or shut down if anyone is in the fireworks area cordoned off by the yellow tape. He urges viewers to respect the boundaries, so that the highly anticipated event is not threatened.

To avoid chaos, confusion, and unfortunate missteps, the members of the Tercentennial Celebration Committee also remind residents that no dogs will be allowed on the Fairfield Hills campus on Saturday during the 300th Birthday Bash and fireworks display. Dog walkers who normally use the grounds are asked to honor this request and thanked for their cooperation.

While plenty of trash receptacles will be on the grounds of Fairfield Hills for use during the day, residents are requested to be courteous regarding any trash brought to viewing areas. Please carry out any trash brought in — juice boxes, napkins, wrappers, etc. Newtown is nicer when everyone cooperates.

When the flash of the fireworks fade away, only the dim light of the new moon will be left in the sky. Flashlights are highly recommended to light the way back to darkened parking areas following the fireworks display that evening.

In case of rain (“We’re not even going there!” exclaims Barbara Kasbarian, co-chairperson for the affair) all of the events will take place as scheduled on Sunday, August 7. Access information at the town website www.newtown-ct.gov or the tercentennial website, www.newtown300.com. Local radios will also carry information concerning any changes to the event schedule.