Fairfield July Fourth Fireworks Canceled, But Town Beaches Open

FAIRFIELD, CT — Spring turns to summer, but the coronavirus continues to affect life in Fairfield, with the first selectwoman announcing Friday that the town’s Fourth of July fireworks display would be canceled due to a state order against large group events, intended to minimize virus transmission.

“We were holding out some hope that we might be able to put them on, but given the gathering order from the governor, we don’t see how it will be possible,” First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said during a news conference Friday, streamed on Facebook and the town website.

Fairfield had previously canceled its Memorial Day parade, although Kupchick said she hoped to hold a town-wide celebration later in the summer.

“While we aren’t able to come together for our traditional Memorial Day parade or the many ceremonies our community hosts this year due to the ongoing public health crisis, I hope that each and every Fairfielder will keep our fallen soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country in your hearts and minds throughout the Memorial Day weekend,” she said in an email Friday to residents.

Although the parade is canceled, Fairfield’s beaches will be open for the weekend, after they were closed for six weeks due to the virus outbreak and had a soft reopening several weeks ago, which, “for the most part … has gone very well,” Kupchick said.

As a precaution against the virus, groups at the beach cannot exceed five people, except for families with more than five members. Groups must stay 15 feet apart. In cases when a 6-foot distance is unavoidable, face coverings will be required. Grilling will not be allowed, but the concessions will be open, with strict social distancing in place. The restrooms will be closed, but extra portable toilets will be available.

The beaches will be open with lifeguard supervision from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be signs in place to remind residents of the guidelines, as well as an extra police presence to ensure compliance.

Beach parking is available only to residents with a valid sticker. The town will increase traffic and parking enforcement, Chief of Police Christopher Lyddy said at the news conference. Residents can check parking availability online at fairfieldct.org/parkingcapacity.

The area around Fairfield continues to see declining coronavirus death rates, case rates and hospitalizations, according to Health Department Director Sands Cleary, who at the news conference recommended residents who are older than 65 or have health conditions continue to stay home as much as possible.

Fire Chief Denis McCarthy cautioned during the news conference that while town officials are “optimistic for the future,” virus transmission continues locally, with new cases reported daily. As of Friday, Fairfield had seen 548 confirmed virus cases and 103 virus-associated deaths since the coronavirus began spreading across Connecticut about two months ago.