Hartford Riverfest Fireworks Tonight

The Hartford Riverfest fireworks have been rescheduled to today, July 18 at 9:30 p.m., after high water levels forced the event to be postponed.

The signature event in the capital city has been postponed because of a new report from The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service on flooding.

The rescheduled event will be fireworks only.

"With such short notice and due to conflicting commitments, it is just not realistic to reassemble a new program for an event the size of Riverfest," said Charlie Myers, Director of Programs and Events for Riverfront Recapture, in a press release.

Myers said the new date still needs to be approved by a number of permitting agencies, but that the organization has "received tremendous support" and they don't anticipate any problems.

"We appreciate everyone's patience as we have worked to come up with a new date for the fireworks," Riverfront Recapture President and CEO Joe Marfuggi said in the release. "With so much going on this time of the year, it was a challenge coordinating available dates with all ofthe organizations and service providers that are involved."

The Northeast River Forecast center projections for water levels indicate that areas of the Riverfront Parks would be underwater, including the boat ramps needed for launching the fireworks barges.

The strong river current and heavy floating debris in the river made it impossible to safely launch and secure the three barges from which the fireworks would have been shot last week, said Myers. 

Check the Web site Riverfront.org for updates.

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