Darien 2021 Fireworks Return, Scheduled For July

DARIEN, CT — The town's fireworks display, which was previously postponed to 2022, will return this year after all, town officials announced Thursday.

Jami Gore, program supervisor for the parks and recreation department, said in an email the fireworks are scheduled to take place July 15 at Darien High School. A rain date is scheduled for July 22.

Gore noted more details, including when parking passes will be available for purchase, will be announced next week.

According to First Selectman Jayme Stevenson, the town had to make a decision about whether to begin fundraising for this year's event back in January.

"Of course we were in the middle of [the coronavirus crisis] at that point," Stevenson said to Patch, "and reaching out to our traditional local business sponsors who are always very generous in helping us to raise the money we need, it wasn't right at that time. They were all burdened by the pandemic and we just couldn't ask them to give money to the town."

While they originally decided not to hold the event this year, Stevenson said the idea to bring the fireworks back came after the town was able to hold a traditional Memorial Day parade in May.

"That got me thinking," Stevenson said, "that maybe we can try and put the fireworks back together."

In response, Stevenson gathered a small group of local officials who traditionally play a big part in the event to discuss the possibility. The group then reached out to sponsors, a fireworks company and Darien Public Schools, after which all the pieces fell into place, Stevenson said.

"I'm so excited and happy that we were able to put it back together," Stevenson said, "and I'm deeply grateful to our local business sponsors who immediately stepped up and said 'yes.'"

As of Thursday afternoon, the town website still lists the fireworks display as postponed to July 2022, though it has likely not been updated yet.

Gore also extended a "huge thank you" to the event's sponsors for their generosity and continued support. The lengthy list of sponsors included Barrett Bookstore, Baywater Properties, Darien Running Company, Darien Toy Box, First County Bank, Neat Coffee and Jayme and John Stevenson, among many others.

Stevenson said she hopes residents will come out to enjoy the display and join the party.

"The fireworks not only represent a celebration of the importance of the Fourth of July holiday," Stevenson said, "but a celebration of hopefully being near the end of a very difficult year and a half with the pandemic, so come and enjoy."

Patch has reached out to the parks and recreation department for further information.