Postponed until Sunday due to the five minute downpour we had Saturday afternoon, Riverfest went out, not so much with a bang, but with something like a sonic boom.
Before the fireworks display we heard a few words from Mayor Segarra about freedom and responsibility.
There was a heavy police presence at Riverfest, especially on the Hartford side of the Connecticut River. While watching the fireworks on the East Hartford riverbank, the police absence became obvious when a friend was able to observe that the smell of marijuana was detectable despite the thick clouds of gunpowder.
That, combined with a few teengirl-versus-teengirl verbal spats was as rough as I ever saw it get. That does not mean there were not people practicing what I think counts as poor judgment — bringing small babies and dogs to the show. Of course, it’s America, where at least we know we’re free to damage children’s hearing and scare the heck out of dogs.
The Riverfront Plaza was very crowded; thankfully, the CT Science Center allowed people to cut through the building, somewhat shortening the navigational ordeal. They also had their restrooms open, providing an alternative to the outdoor portajohns.
To get a good seat, one had to arrive at least an hour before the show or know about a secret viewing spot.
Karen
CT Science Center only allowed people to cut through until 6pm but never mentioned they wouldn’t be open later. Ask the people with the tired toddler who were a little upset that they weren’t able to leave the easy way they came. We, at least, were stopped by security trying to get back to the car.
Kerri Provost
We cut through with no problem around 8:30, but did not try the reverse route because when the fireworks were done the crowd cleared out.