Hartford Riverfest 4th of July Celebration

If you want to celebrate Independence Day in the Hartford, Connecticut, area, head to the Connecticut River. The annual Hartford Riverfest is a multi-venue Fourth of July celebration featuring events throughout the day on both sides of the river. Riverfest is family-friendly, non-alcoholic and free.Hartford Riverfest is usually held the Saturday closest to the 4th of July. For 2009, the date the annual Hartford Riverfest is Saturday, July 11. The rain date for the fireworks only is Sunday, July 12.Hartford Riverfest, which has been designated an official Lincoln Bicentennial event in 2009, features a variety of musical performances, displays and children's activities, plus food and beverages available for purchase. Riverfest 2009 features narrated tours of the Lincoln Financial Sculpture Walk at Riverfront, a Civil War encampment, a concert by Asia featuring John Payne and a fireworks display over the Connecticut River beginning at 9:30 p.m.Visit the Riverfront Recapture Web site for a complete schedule of events along the Connecticut River on July 11. You can also obtain Riverfest information by calling 860-713-3131.

Riverfest is held at three locations in Hartford and East Hartford: Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, Great River Park and Founders Plaza. Musical performances and a variety of other activities are scheduled for each location. Fireworks may also be viewed from Charter Oak Landing.

The Riverfront Recapture Web site has a map, directions to all of the parks and information on Riverfest parking. There will be no shuttle buses this year.

There are no hotel packages specifically for the post-4th of July holiday Riverfest celebration in Hartford, but you can find special rates at Hartford hotels when you book direct at Expedia.Downtown Hartford Map