HARTFORD SALUTES INDEPENDENCE

NEWS RELEASE

(July 3, 2007)--- Mayor Eddie A. Perez welcomes you to the “City of Hope and Opportunity” as Hartford caps off Independence Celebrations with “Riverfest.” 

“This is Riverfront Recapture’s largest annual event.  It brings families together to enjoy the Connecticut River, the fireworks, and most importantly, our country’s birthday and freedom,” says Mayor Perez.

This year’s celebration takes place Saturday, July 7 from 4:00 p.m. until 10:15 p.m.  Mayor Perez will give welcoming remarks at 6:00 p.m. from Mortensen Riverfront Plaza and at 7:30 from Charter Oak Landing. 

There will be three stages in all:  Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, Charter Oak Landing (Fiesta del Rio--- a festival within a festival) and Founders Plaza in East Hartford.  This is one of the largest festivals in Southern New England and the 2007 event has new features including a military flyover (at approximately 8:00 p.m.). 

Fireworks start at approximately 9:45 p.m.  They are always a real crowd pleaser and this year, for the first time in Riverfest’s 27-year history, two barges will be on the river, loaded with fireworks.  Patriotic music will accompany the light show, sponsored by Travelers.  The rain date (for fireworks only) is July 8^th. 

In Hartford, shuttle buses will run between Charter Oak Landing and Riverfront Plaza.  Free parking is available at designated lots on Huyshope Avenue.  The Constitution Plaza garage off State Street will offer a special festival rate of $5; the Morgan Street garage will have an all-day rate of $4.

For more details on Riverfest, including musical entertainment, log on to www.riverfront.org