Fireworks

June 27, 2019

The City of Portsmouth and Wilcox Industries will be sponsoring the annual fireworks display on Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at the South Mill Pond across from the Portsmouth City Hall beginning at 9:15 p.m. sharp; the rain date is scheduled for Friday, July 5th at the same time. This celebration is an alcohol-free, family event. 

Chief Robert Merner of the Portsmouth Police Department is invoking his “Emergency Powers” and orders that NO PARKING will be permitted on the following Portsmouth Streets on Wednesday, July 3rd (with the exception of residents only) due to the annual fireworks display occurring that evening:

  • Parrott Avenue                       
  • Junkins Avenue                      
  • Mt. Vernon Street                   
  • Pleasant Street                        
  • Richmond Street                     
  • Livermore Street                     
  • Wentworth Street                   
  • Melcher Street                         
  • Whidden Street
  • Rogers Street
  • Edward Street
  • Franklin Street
  • Pickering Street
  • Hunking Street
  • Gardner Street
  • Howard Street
  • Elwyn Avenue
  • Sherburne Avenue
  • Rockland Street
  • Kent Street
  • Richards Avenue
  • Gates Street      
  • South Street from Miller to Marcy                                                                              

Vehicles will be towed from the South Mill Pond playground parking lot on Junkins Avenue beginning at 6:00 a.m. on July 3rd due to the close proximity of loaded fireworks tubes. Beginning at noon on July 3rd, vehicles parked on Parrott Avenue between Richards Avenue to Junkins Avenue will be towed, and the tennis courts/basketball courts/playground areas and baseball areas will be closed as well. The Portsmouth Public Library will close at 5:00 p.m. on July 3rd also.

Limited handicapped parking will be available at the Public Library.

The Hanover Garage will charge a flat $5.00 fee for parking during the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3rd, and the Foundry Place Parking Garage will charge a flat fee of $3.00 for parking during the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3rd  

Dog owners are reminded of the city ordinance forbidding dogs from any park where the Recreation Department holds scheduled programs. This includes Leary and Central Fields, South Playground and the Connie Bean Playground.

Vendors, properly licensed by the City, will be permitted on the north side (Portsmouth Junior High School side) of Parrott Avenue only.

Residents are reminded that fireworks, including sparklers, are not permitted as per City Ordinance in the compact part of the City. Heavy traffic and very long delays are expected after the fireworks.

To help provide a safe environment for the fireworks event, the Portsmouth Police Department will have numerous officers on foot patrol throughout the night, and will also deploy DWI Patrols for the hours following the event. 

Chief Merner, members of the Portsmouth Police Department and all City staff wish everyone a safe and happy 4th of July holiday.

fireworks