By MICHAEL P. WALSH
Public Relations Information Coordinator
WEST HAVEN, June 23, 2023 — The 2023 Savin Rock Fireworks Spectacular is set for 9:15 p.m. July 3, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.
The display, billed as “They Will Be Heard on the 3rd,” is launched off Bradley Point and presented by the Savin Rock Fireworks Committee. The rain date is July 5.
The pyrotechnic show is West Haven’s largest one-day event, attracting tens of thousands of residents and visitors to the city’s 3 miles of public beaches each year.
At 4 p.m. July 3, police will close Captain Thomas Boulevard and Ocean Avenue, from Kelsey Avenue to South Street, to give the festivities a block party feel. The roads will reopen around 11 p.m., according to police.
A fleet of 14 food and dessert trucks will line the westbound lane of Captain Thomas Boulevard, near Dyke Street, and dish up burgers, hot dogs, pizza, fried dough and tacos, as well as ice cream and kettle corn.
Before the fireworks light up the night sky over the West Haven shoreline, a craft fair will take place from noon-4 p.m. on the east side of Savin Rock. A short distance away, bands from West Haven’s Rock House School of Music will perform on a portable stage in front of the Rock.
From 7-9 p.m., Rubber City will perform horn-powered party hits on the Savin Rock stage.
On July 3, the parking fee for nonresidents is $20, payable by credit card through a “Pay for Parking” smartphone app only. Paid parking is available in all shoreline lots and the West Haven High School lot.
To park, nonresidents must scan the QR code on the Premium Parking sign in each lot or text the lot code to 504504. Both options will connect them to the Premium Parking website to complete the transaction. Nonresidents can also download the Premium Parking app on the Apple or Google app stores.
Parking is free for residents, provided their vehicles, including motorcycles and new, leased or military-exempt vehicles, are registered in West Haven and they are not delinquent on their motor vehicle taxes. A “new” vehicle means it was registered in West Haven after Oct. 1, 2022.
Taxpayers can check if they owe back taxes and make a payment at https://www.mytaxbill.org/inet/bill/home.do?town=westhaven.
Those who park in the beach lots during the day can stay for the fireworks, but they have to keep their vehicles in the lots until the roads reopen around 11 p.m. Otherwise, they have to leave the lots by 4 p.m.
Beach parking lots are for use by both residents and nonresidents on a first-come, first-served basis. The lots are: Oyster River, South Street Upper, South Street Lower, Dawson Avenue, Sea Bluff, Bradley Point, Rock Street, Oak Street, Palace Street, Altschuler Boulevard and Sandy Point, as well as the April Street boat launch.
Parking violators will receive an invoice of at least $100 — a $100 citation, plus a fee for the amount of time they were parked — from Premium Parking, the New Orleans-based company contracted with helping West Haven develop a digitally driven paid parking program along the shoreline.
In preparation for the fireworks, Police Chief Joseph S. Perno said the department is rolling out a comprehensive traffic management plan aimed at safeguarding the public.
Perno said the large-scale traffic plan will close many shoreline roads in the hours before the 9:15 p.m. display to protect pedestrians and allow for the safe passage of emergency vehicles.
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 Street to Ivy Street; and the even side of all side streets off Ocean Avenue from South Street to Ivy Street.
“No Parking” signs will also 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 Street to Linden Street; and the even side of all side streets off Beach Street to Thomas Street.
Because of construction, Beach Street from Monahan Place to Morse Avenue is closed to both vehicles and pedestrians.
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.
Let I remind that excessible illegal fireworks purchased elsewhere and fired off in West Haven have for
many years been the norm. However, let me warn those that do use these fireworks….. personal severe injury and even death can occur.
Why do I say that, as a Fire Professional for many years I have witnessed those horrible injuries that will and can occur, including death, dismembership of fingers, hands and eyes.
For those that think SPARKLERS for they’re little ones are harmless…..Let me explain the molten steel of which they a made of, burn at some 2,200 degrees F. and those sparklers that fly off can and will destroy your eyes .