An Extended Fourth of July Celebration in Litchfield
The timing of Litchfield’s fireworks display and the Fourth of July holiday this year creates the opportunity to stretch the Independence Day spirit and celebrating over the course of an entire week – or even longer if you count this week’s free Wednesday evening concert on the Green as the kick-off.
June 26
West Hill Groove Concert,
Litchfield Green
West Hill Groove, which plays Rock, Soul and R&B, is the band for the June 26 free concert on the Litchfield Green, from 6:30 to 8:30. Concerts continue each Wednesday through Aug. 7 (except for July 3.) Bring lawn chairs and picnics or pick up take-out from one of the nearby restaurants. Watch the Litchfield CT Park & Recreation page for updates or weather-related postponements.
June 28
Dim Lights, Thick Smoke at Litchfield Community Center
The Litchfield Community Center’s series of free summer concerts begins June 28 with a show from 7 to 9 p.m. featuring Dim Lights, Thick Smoke. Bill’s Mobile Pizza truck will be on hand. Click here for details and to register.
June 29
Litchfield Historical Society Weekly Walking Tour
The 1 p.m. Litchfield Historical Society walking tours offered on summer Saturdays are the perfect way to discover Litchfield’s vibrant history and explore the town’s celebrated Historic District. Each tour provides visitors with an overview of Litchfield’s history – from the stories behind famous landmarks to anecdotes about past residents to appreciation of prominent buildings.
Tours leave from the Litchfield History Museum (7 South Street) and last approximately 1 hour. The Historical Society also offers special themed tours. To learn more, visit the online calendar for dates and times.
Walking tours, sponsored by Berkshire Alarm, are free for members and $10 for non-members. For parties of 10 or more, contact [email protected] for group options.
Community Fireworks Celebration
Litchfield’s annual fireworks celebration takes place Saturday, June 29, at Litchfield High School. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the fireworks show takes place at dusk, typically just after 9 p.m. There will be food trucks, cotton candy, ice cream, a bounce house, and music by Soul Sound Revue from 6 to 9 p.m. – as well as a cornhole tournament.
Parking is available on the school campus with a pass from Litchfield Park & Recreation. As of June 24, spaces closest to the high school field were sold out but spots remained up the hill at Litchfield Intermediate School. Head to the Park & Rec website to purchase a pass through your account (or after creating an account).
July 3
Heroes of the Revolution Walking Tour
Celebrate Independence Day with the Litchfield Historical Society’s Heroes of the Revolution Walking Tour on Wednesday, July 3, at 5:30 p.m. Guests will discover Litchfield’s Revolutionary history and how Litchfield’s residents contributed to the founding of the nation. The walk will begin at the Litchfield Historical Society and lasts approximately one hour. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water. Tours are free for members and $10 for non-members. Register online.
July 4
Litchfield Historical Society’s 26th Annual 4th of July Pet Parade
The Litchfield’s Historical Society’s Annual July 4th Pet Parade returns on Thursday, July 4th, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in the Tapping Reeve Meadow behind the Tapping Reeve House and Litchfield Law School at 82 South St.
All pets – dogs, cats, pigs, parakeets, snails, or stuffed animals – are invited to the Tapping Reeve Meadow for a free Independence Day Celebration. Bring your pet to the judge’s booth before joining the parade. After the award ceremony, everyone can enjoy old-fashioned amusements, including sack races, tug-of-war contests, photo booth, and an ice cream social!
This event is free. Pets must be on a leash or in a cage, and if applicable, must be up to date with immunizations. Parade registration begins at 2:15 and the parade will begin after judging is completed. For more information and to pre-register your pet online head to the event listing on the historical society website.
Honoring Litchfield’s Revolutionary War Era Heroes
Each year on July 4th, the Mary Floyd Tallmadge Inc NSDAR and the Gov. Oliver Wolcott Sr. SAR gather at East Cemetery on Route 118 to honor Governor Oliver Wolcott, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge, George Washington’s spymaster, and other Patriots buried there.
The First Litchfield Artillery fires its cannon in their honor, and the Sons of the American Revolution fire their muskets. The gathering begins at 11:30 a.m. Watch the DAR chapter’s Facebook page for further details.
July 6
Honoring a World War II Hero
On July 6 at 10 a.m., American Legion Post 44 of Bantam will honor a World War II Army veteran, First Lieutenant Rufus Stillman.
Stillman suffered a severe wound in 1944 while serving with Patton’s 3rd Army in France, according to the event listing. He was honorably discharged upon his return to the U.S. in 1945. Stillman was an officer at the Torin Company in Torrington and lived in Litchfield, where he was active in community service and a big proponent of bringing modern architecture to Litchfield County.
The tribute will take place at the All Wars Memorial in front of Bantam Cemetery and start with the retirement of Nathan Zimmerman’s honor flag. Zimmerman was the June Veteran of the Month. Light refreshments and social time will follow in the Bantam Borough Hall. In case of inclement weather, the tribute will take place in the Bantam Borough Hall.
Litchfield Historical Society Weekly Walking Tour
See details above under June 29.