Portsmouth to hold Independence Day fireworks July 3: What to know about show and parking

PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth and Wilcox Industries are presenting the annual fireworks display on Sunday, July 3, at the South Mill Pond across from the Portsmouth City Hall beginning at 9:15 p.m. The rain date is Tuesday, July 5, at the same time. This celebration is an alcohol-free, family-friendly event, according to the city announcement.

Portsmouth Police Chief Mark Newport announced no parking will be permitted starting at noon Sunday, July 3 on the following streets in preparation for and during the fireworks display that evening: Parrott Avenue, Junkins Avenue, Mt. Vernon Street, Pleasant Street, Richmond Street, Livermore Street, Wentworth Street, Melcher Street, Whidden Street, Rogers Street, Edward Street, Franklin Street, Pickering Street, Hunking Street, Gardner Street, Howard Street, Elwyn Avenue, Sherburne Avenue, Rockland Street, Kent Street, Richards Avenue, Gates Street, South Street from Miller to Marcy.

People gather at Leary Field before Portsmouth's fireworks show Monday, July 5, 2021 in celebration of the Fourth of July. The 2022 event is scheduled for Sunday, July 3.
People gather at Leary Field before Portsmouth's fireworks show Monday, July 5, 2021 in celebration of the Fourth of July. The 2022 event is scheduled for Sunday, July 3.

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Vehicles will be towed from the South Mill Pond playground parking lot on Junkins Avenue beginning at 10 a.m.July 3, due to the close proximity of fireworks operations. Beginning at noon July 3, vehicles parked on Parrott Avenue between Richards Avenue to Junkins Avenue will be towed. The tennis courts/basketball courts/playground areas and baseball areas will be closed as of 6 a.m. July 3.

Limited handicapped parking will be available at the Public Library. The city's Foundry Place garage will charge a flat $3 fee on entry, and the High-Hanover garage will charge a flat $6 fee on entry, for parking during the hours of 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, July 3.

Dog owners are reminded of the city ordinance forbidding dogs from any park where the Recreation Department holds scheduled programs. This includes Leary and Central Fields, South Playground and the Connie Bean Playground. Please note that the dog park will be closed from 6 a.m. on Sunday, July 3 through Friday, July 8, for a thorough cleaning and needed maintenance work.

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Vendors, properly licensed by the city, will be permitted on the north side (Portsmouth Junior High School side) of Parrott Avenue only.

Residents are reminded that fireworks, including sparklers, are not permitted as per city ordinance in the compact part of the city. Heavy traffic and very long delays are expected after the fireworks.

To help provide a safe environment for the fireworks event, the Portsmouth Police Department will have many officers on foot patrol throughout the night.

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This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth NH to hold Independence Day fireworks July 3