Updated: Madison July 4th Parade And Fireworks 2012 Guide

Update at 6:30 pm: Here is the latest weather forecast from the National Weather Service .. "A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%."

First off, some thanks ... thanks to the and all of the volunteers who organized and are participating in the parade. And thanks to the Madison Fireworks Organization and to make the fireworks possible. And thanks to everyone who is working today, on what is for many a day off of work. There are many of us in Madison who appreciate all you have done to make this day possible.

Second, let's hope that the weather cooperates. As of 8:10 a.m. Wednesday, the forecast for today was as follows:

• Today: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce small hail and gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Some of the storms could produce small hail and gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 68. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Parade Chairman Mike Catalano said Wednesday morning that the parade is set to go forward as planned. "It looks like the weather is going to give us a break, and we're set to go ahead," he said. Parade group formation is between 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

The Madison July 4th parade starts at 11 a.m. near downtown and heads towards the . The fireworks are set to go off around 9:30 p.m. off of . You're going to have to plan ahead to get the best seat.

As of 9:20 a.m., Ryan Hanrahan, a meteorologist at NBC Connecticut/WVIT, said it looks like Wednesday night could be a good one for fireworks on the shoreline. "It should be fine," he said via Twitter. "Any storms will be quick moving and isolated. Most of us see no rain."

Keep checking Madison Patch, the National Weather Service website, and  Ryan Hanrahan ‏@ryanhanrahan for the latest updates. Remember, if you can hear thunder, lightning is close enough to pose an immediate threat.

Parking

As for parking, "No Parking" signs have been posted on both sides of West Wharf Road. The town will not be checking for beach passes at the Surf Club after 5 p.m., so anyone can park there. And the Madison Police Department issued the following advisory Tuesday:

For July 4th ONLY, Parking will be allowed
on the NORTH side of the following roads:
• Middle Beach West • Middle Beach Road • Seaview Avenue

This is a ONE DAY exception to summer parking regulations. Please advise your guests accordingly.

PARADE

This information was provided by the Madison Exchange Club.

This year The Madison Exchange Club will be sponsoring its 33^rd annual Fourth of July Parade on Wednesday, July 4^th: The theme for the 2012 Parade is “America, Our Winning Spirit”.

Post your information and events directly to Patch! No waiting! Immediate results! Post information and announcements here: http://madison-ct.patch.com/blog_posts/new and events here: http://madison-ct.patch.com/events/new. Both links are always on the front page, underneath the top four articles.

The Grand Marshal for the Parade this year is taking on a bit of a different twist with the Hand High Tigers Athletic Program as its focus. Many Hand High School coaches and student athletes will be honored as our “Grand Marshal Group.” It is certainly timely for this year’s theme to honor Hand, which fielded so many winning teams let alone competed in 2012 state championships.

Featuring nearly 100 community groups, floats, bands, clowns, antique cars, trucks, bicycles and a number of professional performance groups, Madison’s 4^th of July Parade is recognized as one of the finest in the entire State of Connecticut.  As in the past, we again hope to attract a host of youth organizations who will march for one of the many causes that Madison emphasizes in order to build a younger, stronger and wiser base of its population.  We hope to see some creative floats and fresh ideas that bring more of a directed focus on how youth groups can contribute to our society today and to its future growth tomorrow.

As always, the Madison Exchange Club expects the July 4^th Parade to have a large turnout of both residents as well as spectators from neighboring towns along the CT Shoreline.  Because of the large numbers that are anticipated, it’s recommended that everyone arrive as early as possible to select your preferred vantage point: The Parade route starts at 11 AM in the Super Stop and Shop parking lot, winds through the center of Madison, and concludes at the Surf Club. 

To register your youth group for a prime spot in this year’s Parade, please either contact Mike Catalano at mcatsr@yahoo.com or 203-645-2147; or go on your computer to access either the Madison Exchange Club (www.madisonexchange.org) or Eventbrite (exchangeparade.eventbrite.com) websites. 

 Come join us in the Town of Madison’s finest moment of community celebration and dedication to its future!

 FIREWORKS

 This information was provided by The Madison Fireworks Organization:

MADISON FIREWORKS 2012 SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

• Date:  Wednesday, July 4, 2012
• Time:  9:30pm
• Location: the Fireworks are launched from a barge off of West Wharf Beach, Madison, CT
• Rain Date Friday, July 6, 2012

Post your information and events directly to Patch! No waiting! Immediate results! Post information and announcements here: http://madison-ct.patch.com/blog_posts/new and events here: http://madison-ct.patch.com/events/new. Both links are always on the front page, underneath the top four articles.

Where to watch

The fireworks should be viewable from most shoreline locations in Madison, Connecticut. The “Surf Club” will provide excellent views of the fireworks and plenty of room for the whole family to enjoy a night of explosive entertainment. Traffic and parking restrictions will be managed by the Madison Police Department.

Shuttle Service

Two buses will start running at 6pm from Stop and Shop and the Exit 61 commuter lots to West Wharf. Up to five buses will be there for the return trip after the show.

Donate ONLINE Today!

The Madison Fireworks don't go off without your help! The volunteer organization that puts on the fireworks has raised enough to cover the 2012 celebration, but donations are being accepted for next year's.

Click here to donate securely through our online donation page.

Also, like The Madison Fireworks Organization on Facebook!

Traffic and Parking

For the latest traffic and parking restrictions, please contact the non-emergency phone number of the Madison Police Department at:

203-245-2721, or visit the Madison Police Department website.

Weather forecast for the Madison shoreline as of Wednesday, July 4th at 8:10 a.m. :

• Independence Day Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce small hail and gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Tonight Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Some of the storms could produce small hail and gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 68. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Thursday Sunny, with a high near 87. Northwest wind 7 to 10 mph.
• Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 65. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
• Friday Sunny, with a high near 87. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning.
• Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 69.
• Saturday A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Saturday Night A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Sunday Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
• Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.
• Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
• Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
• Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.