Around Town

Town ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ Waveny Fireworks Will Go As Planned; Rain Date Saturday

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Town officials say they’re “cautiously optimistic” that New Canaan’s popular fireworks gathering at Waveny will go on as planned, with festivities kicking off at 5 p.m. Friday, despite some rain expected (with the heaviest falling well ahead of the event). If weather becomes a factor, officials will make a “go or no-go” call late Thursday and notify residents through a bulletin on the New Canaan municipal website as well as a message at the town call-in number, 203-594-3610, said Tom Stadler, administrative officer in the first selectman’s office. Residents should not phone the police or fire department for information—an update will be available on the town site and call-in number as soon as a decision is reached. If postponed, the rain date would be Saturday, July 5, Stadler said. As of late Wednesday, the forecast for New Canaan called for showers on Independence Day, though most of it would have fallen prior to Waveny opening at 5 p.m. for the Family Fourth Celebration (fireworks to start around 9 p.m.) This year’s event will include our New Canaan Town Band, food, drinks, ice cream and entertainment for kids.

News

New Canaan Fire Marshal’s Fireworks Safety Tips

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As New Canaan’s Family Fourth Committee finalizes plans for one of the town’s most cherished annual events—the fireworks at Waveny—our fire marshal is issuing a set of important safety tips for residents planning to do their own “shows” at home, posted below. (The only note we will add to Fire Marshal Fred Baker’s list is a reminder for residents with dogs that many canines are startled by the noise of fireworks, and those left outside around July 4 weekend often run off, breaching invisible and physical fences.)

Baker adds a note saying “Go to the Family Fourth—you will see a tremendous professional show,” and we couldn’t agree more. The town’s event this year will be held right on Friday, July 4—the park opens at 5 p.m. with and the fireworks start at 9 p.m.—and passes are available now for residents, with a limited number set aside for nonresidents. The park will open to the public at 5 p.m. and the fireworks will start around 9 p.m. This year’s event will include our New Canaan Town Band, food, drinks, ice cream and entertainment for kids. (As of Thursday, about $15,000 in passes had been sold, the committee reported, and as always New Canaan is on pace to sell in the $55,000 range.)

“With warm weather and family events, the Fourth of July can be a fun time with great memories,” Baker said.

Around Town

Iconic Maple Tree at Waveny Is Dying, Volunteers Plan for a Successor

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A prominent and well-loved tree at Waveny appears to be dying, and members of a volunteer group that oversees the park’s popular Fourth of July celebration are preparing to contribute toward a new tree when the time comes. The big maple just off of Waveny House’s sprawling patio has provided shade to thousands of park-goers through summers and long has formed an important part of the iconic view from the fields at what many would call New Canaan’s most treasured amenity. The New Canaan Family Fourth Committee (the $30 passes to the event are being sold now to town residents; a limited number of $60 nonresident passes also will be sold) wants to make sure there’s a tree there for people to enjoy, said Tom Stadler, administrative officer in the first selectman’s office. “It won’t come down until it’s dead, but sometimes you can plant a new one under it or nearby,” Stadler, who helps oversee special events for New Canaan, said after a meeting of the Family Fourth Committee, held at Waveny House (which itself is the object of preservation efforts). “We just want to be ready to contribute a new tree,” he added.