Portsmouth Announces Plans for July 3 Fireworks
June 22, 2022
The City of Portsmouth and Wilcox Industries are presenting the annual fireworks display on Sunday, July 3, 2022 at the South Mill Pond across from the Portsmouth City Hall beginning at 9:15 pm. The rain date is Tuesday, July 5th at the same time. This celebration is an alcohol-free, family-friendly event.
Activities for the 3rd of July, sponsored by Wilcox Industries:
- 4:30 pm yard games
- 5 om opening act Karrie Barnnett
- 6 pm main act - The Tonymac
- 9:10 National Anthem sung by Thea Heartly
- Fireworks start at 9:15
Portsmouth Police Chief Mark Newport is invoking his “Emergency Powers” and orders that NO PARKING will be permitted starting at 12 noon on Sunday, July 3rd on the streets below, 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
Vehicles will be towed from the South Mill Pond playground parking lot on Junkins Avenue beginning at 10 am on July 3rd due to the close proximity of fireworks operations. Beginning at noon on July 3rd, 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 am on Sunday, July 3.
Limited handicapped parking will be available at the Public Library. The Foundry Garage will charge a flat $3 fee on entry, and the Hanover Parking Garage will charge a flat $6 fee on entry, for parking during the hours of 4 pm and 9 pm on Sunday, July 3rd.
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 am on Sunday, July 3 through Friday, July 8 for a thorough cleaning and needed maintenance work.
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.
