By Michael P. Walsh
Special to the Voice
The 2022 Savin Rock Fireworks Spectacular is set to launch off Bradley Point at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.
The display, billed as “They Will Be Heard on the 3rd,” is presented by the Savin Rock Fireworks Committee. The rain date is Sunday.
In early June, the city decided to move the fireworks from July 2 to Sept. 3 — the same date as last year’s Labor Day weekend display — to give West Haven’s biggest event “more of a local flavor.”
“The Savin Rock Fireworks Spectacular is a meaningful event for all of us who live in West Haven,” Rossi said. “It is a special opportunity to come together as friends and neighbors to celebrate our city by demonstrating the best of the American community spirit.”
For this year’s pyrotechnics show, the city is focusing less on attracting out-of-town visitors and more on attracting West Haven residents, a strategy aimed at decreasing crowds to reduce overtime costs for police and public works crews, organizers said.
At 4 p.m. Saturday, police will close Captain Thomas Boulevard and Ocean Avenue, from Kelsey Avenue to South Street, to give the festivities more of a block party feel. The roads will reopen around 11 p.m., according to police.
A fleet of food and dessert trucks will line the Savin Rock side of Captain Thomas Boulevard, near Dyke Street, and dish up fried dough, lobster rolls, meatball bombs and tacos, as well as ice cream and kettle corn.
Before the fireworks light up the sky over the West Haven shoreline, E’Band will perform R&B hits on a portable stage in front of Savin Rock from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Residents and nonresidents should take note that “No Parking” signs will be posted on both sides of Platt Avenue from Ocean Avenue to Randall’s Restaurant; Dyke Street from Captain Thomas Boulevard to Educational Way; Kelsey Avenue from Captain Thomas Boulevard to Graham Avenue; Ocean Avenue from South to Ivy streets; and the even side of all side streets off Ocean Avenue from South to Ivy streets.
Also, “No Parking” signs will be posted on the north side of Connecticut Avenue; the even side of all side streets off Ocean Avenue to Highland Avenue; the even side of Highland Avenue from Arlington to Linden streets; and the even side of all side streets off Beach Street to Thomas Street.
Police can ticket and tow vehicles violating the traffic plan at the owner’s expense. Violators are subject to a $100 fine.
Residents and nonresidents should also take note that police will strictly enforce all beach regulations, which are posted at each access point along the shoreline, as well as the following restrictions:
- All bags will be subject to search before entering the beach area.
- No alcoholic beverages will be allowed on the beach.
- No disorderly or obscene conduct will be tolerated.
- No open fires or cooking will be allowed on the beach.
Here goes more trouble. Rossi loves trouble!