Westport celebrated the arrival of July — and Independence Day — with perfect weather, and one of the largest fireworks crowds ever, last night.
It was a wonderful, friendly, community vibe. There was food and fun, glow sticks and sparklers, and wall-to-wall people.
Westport may have been the 1st community in America to celebrate July 4th this year. But the date doesn’t matter. The great feelings — about our town and our country — do.
Thanks, Westport PAL, Melissa & Doug, our police and fire and EMTs and Parks & Rec crew, and everyone else who made last night special!
Click on or hover over photos to enlarge. All images below by Dan Woog, unless otherwise noted.
It’s not Independence Day unless you wear red, white and blue…
…whatever your age…
…and deck your house in an American flag.
Celebrating the 2nd Amendment. (Don’t worry! They’re toys!)
One man found solitude around 5 p.m. The large crowds had not yet arrived.
On Compo Beach Road, youngsters raised money to fight Alzheimer’s.
Police officers did their job — and mingled with the crowds. Ned Batlin knows everyone.
This scene was repeated hundreds of times, all along the beach.
Boats were out in force, all afternoon and evening.
Up and down Soundview, the boardwalk and beyond, teenagers strutted their stuff.
New York City’s Cobras put on a great dance and drum performance. They appeared in the movie “Birdman.”
A classic shot. We sometimes forget that the cannons represent Westport’s role in our war for independence.
As night fell, bunting was illuminated on Soundview Drive.
The main attraction.
The fireworks, as seen from a Soundview Drive front porch. (Photo/Betsy P. Kahn)