Downtown Hartford was the place to be to ring in the new year with First Night Hartford happening at Bushnell Park Saturday. People from all over the area coming to celebrate despite the rain.
As 2022 rolls its way into 2023, families at Bushnell Park are feeling the vibe at first night Hartford.
“The atmosphere is great and there’s a lot of energy coming from the stage, so I would be dancing out there,” Dani Singerman, who lives in Hartford, said.
Dancing that wasn’t deterred by the rain.
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“It’s not cold. It’s just a little bit of a drizzle so it’s pretty good,” Singerman said.
The concert wasn’t the only attraction at the park as people also hit the ice rink, with some learning to skate on the fly.
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“I fell a couple of times here but once I started going around with the laps three or four times, I got it,” Aidan Lawrence, who lives in Hartford, said.
But the main draw were the fireworks. The first show happening after six in the evening to let kids enjoy the light show without going past their bedtime.
“We liked the music with the fireworks. It made us all dance,” Ranya Palalisay, who lives in Manchester, said.
Organizers say while the weather caused some people to stay home, overall, they’re glad to see those who came.
“Hartford’s alive. It might be a little rainy but we’re making the best of it,” Jeff Devereux, the event manager, said.
For his team, it’s now on to planning for the next big event in downtown Hartford.
“We’ll be right back here on the 4th of July weekend. Fireworks here. Hooping on the street. Lots of great stuff coming,” he said.
