Willimantic’s 28th annual Boom Box Parade is Thursday, July 4, at 11 a.m., starting at Jillson Square (corner of Main and Jackson streets) and finishing at Memorial Park. Anyone can march or enter a float in the parade. The only requirement is to wear red, white, and blue and bring a radio tuned to WILI (1400-AM). Information: http://www.wili-am.com.
New Britain’s Great American Boom in Stanley Quarter Park, 451 Blake Road, New Britain, is on Thursday, July 4, from 5 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. There will be giant trampolines, pony rides, clowns, carnival games and food. There will also be Live music will be performed by featuring Latanya Farrell and the Bookman Styles Band. A fireworks show will end the night at 9:15 p.m. Admission is free for the Great American Boom. Information: 860-826-3360 or http://www.newbritainct.gov.
Mystic Seaport, 75 Greenmanville Ave., Mystic, is hosting an Independence Day Celebration on July 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can picnic with 19th-century patriots on the Village Green at noon12 p.m. and play lawn games, watch live music and see theatrical performances. Children can also make hats to walk in the Independence Day Parade at 1 p.m. There will also be an old-fashioned spelling bee and a chance to make ice cream. Tickets to Mystic Seaport range from $15 to $24. Information: 860-572-0711 or http://www.mysticseaport.org.
Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, Mass., will host it’s annual Historic July Fourth Celebrations on Thursday, July 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. During the day the museum will have historic activities, music and family games. At 1 p.m. there will be a special naturalization ceremony where 85 people from 42 countries will become American citizens. The museum will close at 5 p.m. and reopen at 6 p.m. for the fireworks program. There will be a pie-eating contest, magic shows, sack races and more. The event will end at 10 p.m. with a fireworks display. The rain date is Friday, July 5. Museum tickets range from $8 to $24. Tickets to the fireworks show are $15. Parking is free. Information: 800-733-1830 or http://www.osv.org.
New Haven’s Fourth of July celebration begins at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, at the Summit of East Rock Park, 41 Cold Spring St., New Haven. There will be live music provided by Hit List as well as free horse drawn carriage rides, food and a soldiers and sailors monument tour. The fireworks show will begin at 9:15 p.m. Shuttle buses will bring visitors to and from the Summit. Parking is $5 per car. Information: 203-946-8378 or http://www.cityofnewhaven.com.
Stonington’s Fourth of July celebration will start at 9:30 a.m on Thursday, July 4, at Wadawunk Square. A parade will begin at 9:45 a.m., in front of the Stonington Free Library, 20 High St., Stonington. The parade will be followed by a reading of the Declaration of Independence. There will also be a free concert at 11:30 a.m. featuring organist Joseph Ripka, who will perform “Stars, Stripes, and Pipes: American Music for the Glorious Fourth,” at Calvary Church, 27 Church St., Stonington. Information: 860-535-8445 or http://www.stoningtonhistory.org.
Hartford’s Riverfest Celebration, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed due to the high water level in the Connecticut River. A new date has not yet been set. Read more here.
Enfield’s Fourth of July town celebration is July 5, 6 and 7. Performers include The Machine, Friday at 7 p.m.; Johnny Six Gun, Saturday at 5 p.m.; and the Hartford Symphony Orchestra Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks by Zambelli Fireworks are Sunday, July 7, at 9:45 p.m. All children’s activities and concerts are free. Events, including a parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, are weather-permitting and subject to change. Schedule of events and location: http://www.enfieldcelebration.org.
Manchester will hold its 30th annual James “Dutch” Fogarty Independence Day Celebration at Manchester Community College on Saturday, July 6, from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. There will be children’s activities, live music featuring Skyline Drive and The Mohegan Sun All-Stars and a town-wide chicken barbecue. The event is held to celebrate the Fourth of July and honor the late James Fogarty, a Manchester resident and member of the Manchester fire department. The rain date is Sunday, July 7. Tickets for the chicken barbecue are $7 in advance and $8 on the day of the event. Information: 860-647-5235 or http://www.townofmanchester.org.
The Connecticut Science Center, 250 Columbus Blvd., Hartford, is holding a special Fourth of July Party Saturday, July 6, at 7 p.m. A festive summer dinner with cocktails will be provided to guests as well as a private showing of the CT Science Center’s “MathAlive!” There will also be room on the Science Center’s terrace to view the Riverfest Fireworks over the Connecticut River at 9 p.m. The rain date is Sunday, July 7. There is limited capacity and guests must RSVP by Monday, July 1. Tickets are $100 for adults and $35 for children. Information: 860-520-2154 or http://www.ctsciencecenter.org.
New London’s Sailfest 2013 runs July 12 through 14 and features fireworks, amusement rides, kids shows at the City Pier stage, music, tall ships and more than 200 vendors lining the downtown streets. The fireworks display will be on July 13 at 9 p.m. Information: sailfestnl.org.
Newington will hold it’s 32nd annual Extravaganza on Saturday, July 20, at Mill Pond Park on Garfield St. The Extravaganza is a daylong event that includes food, carnival rides, arts and crafts, live music and other family orientated activities. There will also be a fireworks display after dark. Information: 860-665-8666 or http://www.newingtonct.gov.
East Lyme’s Fourth of July celebration, Celebrate East Lyme, is on Saturday, July 20, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Main Street will be lined with over more than 200 vendors, activities for children and live music stages. Some of the activities include a sand castle competition, raft races, a scavenger hunt and a chance for visitors to ride the Re/Max air balloon. The day ends with a fireworks show over Niantic Bay at 9 p.m. Admission to Celebrate East Lyme is free. Information: http://www.celebrateeastlyme.com.