Oh say can you see! Main Street, city bring fireworks back for July 3 extravaganza

A free public fireworks display will light up the skies of Rochester for the first time in many years on July. 3. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - For the first time in decades the city of Rochester will have its own Fourth of July public fireworks display, and for the first time ever it will be held at the Rochester Community Center where crowds can spread out on the nearby Spaulding High athletic fields to watch the show.

Main Street announced it will host the inaugural event today with the "The Night Before the 4th" festival and fireworks set for July 3.

Everything gets started at the Rochester Community Center around 5 p.m., with fireworks beginning around 9:15 p.m., Angela Mills, Main Street executive director, said today.

"The directors here felt that Rochester needed an event like this, a really fun summer event," Mills said. "And we missed having fireworks."

Mills said they approached the city about their plans for the event and the city embraced the partnership as an event co-sponsor.

"The city is really optimistic about this," Mills said. "The partnership between Main Street and the city has been amazing."

This event features live music, children's activities, food and other vendors, and the public is invited to bring blankets or lawn chairs to view the fireworks from the Spalding High School athletic fields.

Before the fireworks, there will be lots of kids activities like face painting, Wildlife Encounters, fun glow toys, and activities.

There will also be plenty of pre-fireworks entertainment, including live music from Brian Minger, Gabby Martin, Northriver Trio and Maddie Ryan.

Food vendors will include Happy Pappy's, Two Wrongs Make a Right Bakery, Wow Factor, Totally Nutz, Frolic Concessions, Sharky's Grill, and more.

Merchant vendors will include ThirtyOne Gifts, Tupperware, Tastefully Simple, Paparazzi Jewelry, Upala Yoga & Wellness Arts.

The public is encouraged to park in designated public parking areas only and avoid private or business parking lots. For information about public parking availability downtown, please visit RochesterPD.org/parking-enforcement.

Rochester Main Street is seeking volunteer involvement to help. Anyone who is interested in participating with this or future events, contact Main Street at Director@RochesterMainStreet.org.

The last time the city had its own fireworks display was many years ago at the Rochester Fairgrounds.

This event is made possible by co-sponsorship from the City of Rochester and grant funding from New Hampshire Council on the Arts. Any proceeds from this event go toward the sustainability and revitalization of downtown Rochester.