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Weekend Game
Plan.
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Zip 06424 06424
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Weekend of Jul 3 - Jul 5, 2026
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WEEKEND SNAPSHOT
Classic July heat: Daytime highs near 87°F with high humidity. Low risk of isolated pop-up thunderstorms on Saturday afternoon.
Massive 'America 250' celebrations are turning East Hampton into a regional hub this weekend.
⚡ If You Only Do One Thing
East Hampton America 250th Anniversary Parade
Saturday, July 4 at 10:30 AM
"This is a once-in-a-generation regional event for the 250th birthday of the U.S. rather than a standard annual parade."
PRO TIP: Park south of the Village Center near the High School before 9:45 AM; Route 66 will be fully closed to through-traffic by 10:15 AM.
📅 Add to Calendar
📍 Top Spots
Portland Riverfront Fireworks
Saturday Night, July 4 • Portland Riverfront Park
A massive pyrotechnic display over the Connecticut River, widely considered one of the best in Central CT.
Best For: Fireworks enthusiasts and families • Cost: Free
Salmon River State Forest Hike
Friday Morning • Salmon River State Forest, Colchester/East Hampton
Cool, shaded trails and fly fishing spots along the Salmon River, perfect for escaping the July heat.
Best For: Hikers and nature photographers • Cost: Free
Colchester Lions Carnival
Jul 3 - Jul 5 • Colchester Recreation Complex
Traditional multi-day carnival with rides, games, and classic fair food benefiting local charities.
Best For: Families with kids
Choose Your Mode
Mode: Family
Olde Fashioned Youth Games
Free
Saturday, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM • Colchester Rec Complex
Nostalgic field games like sack races and three-legged races for kids.
Tip: Sunscreen is non-negotiable; there is very little shade on the softball fields.
Mode: Date Night
Historic July 4th Dining
$$$
Friday or Saturday Evening • The Griswold Inn, Essex
Colonial-inspired menu in one of the oldest continuously operated inns in the country.
Tip: Reservations for the holiday weekend usually book up 3-4 weeks in advance.
Mode: Solo
Riverfront Jazz & Views
Free
Friday Evening • Portland Riverfront Park
Quiet sunset views of the Arrigoni Bridge and local musicians performing in the park.
Tip: Bring a camp chair; the stone benches fill up early.
Weekend at a Glance
FRI Evening
Colchester Lions Carnival
Classic Fair Vibes
SAT Morning
America 250th Parade
Patriotic Milestone
SAT Evening
Portland Riverfront Fireworks
Big Finish
SUN Afternoon
Salmon River Picnic
Low-Key Recovery
⚠️ Logistics Watch Outs
Highway Maintenance Freeze
Jul 2 - Jul 6, statewide (Route 2, I-91)
While work stops, existing lane shifts remain. Expect heavy holiday volume but no active construction delays on limited-access roads.
Route 66 Parade Closure
Saturday Morning in East Hampton Center
Avoid the village center entirely if you are not attending the parade. Use Route 16 or Route 196 as bypasses.
🍿 Movies
Top Box Office
Minions & Monsters (PG): The latest Illumination hit follows the yellow henchmen into a 1920s Hollywood monster movie set.
Michael (PG-13): The massive biopic of the King of Pop continues to dominate the global box office into July.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (PG): The highest-grossing film of 2026 so far, still pulling family crowds in its third month.
New This Weekend
Minions & Monsters (PG): The franchise returns with a silent-film era twist, released just in time for the July 4th holiday.
Young Washington (PG-13): A historical drama detailing George Washington's early military career, debuting for the 250th anniversary weekend.
📅 Plan Ahead
| Date |
Event |
Action |
| July 18, 2026 |
Celebrate East Lyme & Niantic Bay Fireworks |
Medium |
| August 2026 |
Colchester Town Carnival Procession |
Low |