New Rochelle 4th Of July Celebration Scheduled For September

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — In a sure sign that life is starting to get back to normal in a city known for enduring among the first coronavirus clusters in the U.S., New Rochelle is planning to once again host large public events.

The city says, however, that Independence Day celebration will encroach on the Labor Day holiday this year.

The “Spark the Sound” Independence Day fireworks are currently scheduled for the Friday of Labor Day weekend on September 3. The New Rochelle Street Fair will be held on September 19, in the outside campus surrounding city hall.

“We are delighted to bring back these two popular, signature community events, especially after the difficult year we have all experienced,” Parks and Recreation Commissioner Bill Zimmermann said in a statement announcing the return of two of the city’s largest and most popular events.

While the Spark the Sound Fireworks have been bumped from the celebration’s traditional July Fourth date in an effort to encourage the public to continue to maintain vigilance around coronavirus protocols, the date of the New Rochelle Street Fair has been pushed back one week out for an entirely different reason. Event organizers say the fair was rescheduled out of “deference to the 20th anniversary of 9/11.”

The Labor Day fireworks celebrating the nation’s independence will begin at 9:30 p.m. The Eighth Annual New Rochelle Street Fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Since it first began as a much smaller event in 2013, the New Rochelle Street Fair has grown to become one of the largest and best attended events of its kind in the region. The festival includes artists, crafters, entertainment, food and a wildly popular beer garden.

“The New Rochelle Street Fair is the perfect venue for vendors and businesses throughout the metropolitan area to showcase their talent, designs and services to residents and visitors,” Zimmermann said.

The fair is currently offering “early bird special” rates for vendors. The deadline for Early Bird pricing is July 1. The last day for vendor registration is August 2. Organizers are encouraging interested vendors to register early, noting the limited spaces at the fair will be assigned on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Both of the New Rochelle signature events will follow CDC safety guidance.

Applications for vendors, exhibitors, entertainers and sponsors at the Eighth Annual New Rochelle Street Fair can be found here.