Last night was — once again — Westport’s Best Party of the Year.
Ten thousand of so people crammed Compo Beach for several hours of parties, picnics, strolling, socializing, and — no matter what our individual political bents — celebrating our town and country the way it’s been done for nearly 250 years.
But those fireworks don’t just fall from the sky. (Metaphorically, at least.)
It takes a town-wide effort to put on that show.
Who, exactly, spent months making sure that last night went off with a bang?
Westport PAL: For more than half a century, they’ve organized the event. The small volunteer organization punches far above its weight. This is their major fundraiser of the year, enabling them to help thousands of youngsters with athletic programs and scholarships — and the entire town, with the Longshore skating rink. (If you enjoyed the fireworks, but did not purchase a beach ticket, you can still contribute. Just click here.)
Melissa and Doug Bernstein: The longtime Westporters are known both for their eponymous toy company, and their staunch support of many groups and activities in town. Their financial contribution relieves the PAL of many expenses, so they can direct even more of the proceeds back to kids.
Westport Parks & Recreation Department: From distributing tickets, directing traffic into and out of the beach, providing guest services and lifeguards at the event, offering all kinds of unseen logistical support — and, crucially, picking up prodigious amounts of trash all day long, then through the night after the show so that Compo looks pristine when the sun rose this morning — Parks & Rec plays a huge (and largely unappreciated) role.
That trash does not pick itself up. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Westport Police Department: Getting hundreds of cars into and out of the beach — on 2 access roads — is no small feat. Our police do it brilliantly. Throughout the event, they make sure that thousands of people feel (and are) safe.
Westport Fire Department: In countless ways — seen and unseen — the Fire Department helps the event run smoothly. And despite all the precautions, these are fireworks we’re talking about. It’s great to have these professional men and women on the scene.
Westport Emergency Medical Services: What can go wrong when thousands of people gather in one spot (and party hard)? Plenty. EMS is on the scene, with personnel, ambulances, and their always reassuring, very professional presence.
Community Emergency Response Team: These often-overlooked volunteers provide extra helping hands whenever and wherever they’re needed. They’re trained in disaster assistance. But CERT is one more reason last night turned out so well.
Town of Westport: From the Selectwoman’s office to Public Works — and I’m sure many other departments — we would not have fireworks without Town Hall. There are plenty of moving parts to a party like this one, and a ton of employees work behind the scenes to make sure all those parts keep moving.
Doug Bernstein (5th from left) handed Police Chief Foti Koskinas the ceremonial first fireworks ticket. Also part of the townwide effort (from left): Parks & Rec operations director Carmen Roda, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, PAL president Craig Bergamo, Melissa Bernstein, Parks & Rec interim director Rick Giunta and Lieut. Matthew Gouveia. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Sure, it’s easy to complain. All the good spots were reserved by 8 a.m.! There was trash piled next to the garbage cans! It took 45 minutes to get out of the parking lot!
But who cares?
We had a glorious Independence Day celebration — and it’s not even July 4th yet.
Hundreds of people worked hard to make yesterday great. We owe them our profound thanks.
It was definitely a blast.
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Parks & Recreation Department operations director Carm Roda, checking in at yesterday’s fireworks. (Photo/Dan Woog)