To get the most up-to-date information of Riverfront events and happenings, don’t forget to sign up for our e-newsletter on our homepage!
PARK RULES & REGULATIONS - Please note: Due to liability and legal restrictions, NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES of any kind may be brought into the Riverfront Parks by any party. Riverfront Recapture is the only licensed authority to sell and serve liquor for consumption in the Riverfront Parks.
6th Annual Samba Fest
Saturday, May 5th, 11:00am to 5:00pm
This event is co-produced by Trinity College and Riverfront Recapture
Celebrate Brazilian heritage with various musical performances and cultural activities. More info to come!
Join us in celebrating Independence Day at the 32nd annual Riverfest!
Riverfest will be held on Saturday, July 7th, 2012 at Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, Hartford and Founders Plaza and Great River Park, East Hartford.
Rain date: Sunday, July 8
Event Overview
Riverfest features free entertainment including live bands, musicians, clowns and other walk-a-bout entertainers, kids activities and more. A dazzling fireworks show over the river highlights this traditional Hartford festival.
The festivities and fireworks are brought to you by Riverfront Recapture, a private, non-profit organization which is leading the effort to reconnect metropolitan Hartford with the Connecticut River and provide community access to the waterfront through four beautiful parks in Hartford and East Hartford. Riverfest is made possible through the generosity of corporate funding and private contributions, and would not be possible without the municipal support of the City of Hartford and the Town of East Hartford.
Riverfront Recapture is pleased to offer you this great event for the enjoyment of you and your family. To make a contribution to Riverfront Recapture, click here. Your support will ensure Riverfest will be available for generations to come.
EVENT SCHEDULE
INFO TO COME
Other Events:
INFO TO COME
Festival Locations & Directions
Riverfest 2012 will be held in three locations along the river. All three locations are in walking distance from each other, so park your car and enjoy what all three locations have to offer! Food, drinks and merchandise will be sold at all sites.
Directions
For directions to Mortensen Riverfront Plaza and Great River Park, click here. For Founders Plaza, follow the directions to Great River Park.
Fireworks Info
Fireworks will be fired from 3 new state of the art pyrotechnic firing barges that will communicate wirelessly on the Connecticut River starting at 9:00pm. The fireworks show can be viewed from Mortensen Riverfront Plaza and Charter Oak Landing in Hartford, Great River Park and Founders Plaza in East Hartford, and along the river in many areas in Hartford and East Hartford. Atlas PyroVision Productions will once again produce the pyrotechnic display on the Connecticut River July 9th. Hartford and Riverfront Recapture is excited to be the first community in New England to fire up to 3 barges with this new wireless computer firing technology for everyone's enjoyment!
EVENT LOGISTICS
PARKING East Hartford - Parking is available citywide in areas designated by the Town of East Hartford.
Hartford- Mortensen Riverfront Plaza: CT Science Center/Riverfront Garage, Morgan Street Garage & Constitution Plaza Garage and other area parking garages.
Morgan Street Garage will be FREE on Saturday, July 9th for Riverfest. Handicap parking for the festival is available at CT Science Center/Riverfront Garage & Constitution Plaza Garage in Hartford, and in designated areas in East Hartford. Handicap parking for fireworks viewing only can be found at Charter Oak Landing in Hartford.
Free Star Shuttle
The Hartford Star Shuttle is a FREE, downtown circulatory service running throughout the weekend! This provides service approximately every 12 minutes along the circulatory route. The shuttle route connects the CT Convention Center, the Riverfront, the CT Science Center, the Arts and Entertainment District, various restaurants, and downtown hotels. Park your car along the route and take the shuttle to the Riverfront!
Shuttle Schedule:
Friday, July 8 until 1:00AM
Saturday, July 9 7:00AM to 1:00AM
Sunday, July 10 8:00AM to 6:00PM
Handicap Access
Hartford:
• CT Science Center/Riverfront Garage – Access to Mortensen Riverfront Plaza via elevator on Columbus Blvd
• Constitution Plaza Garage – Access to Mortensen Riverfront Plaza via Constitution Plaza
• Charter Oak Landing – Parking for fireworks viewing only, there is no event programming in this location
East Hartford:
• Commerce Center One parking lot, located behind Great River Park
Road Closures
INFO TO COME
OTHER INFORMATION
Lend A Hand at Riverfest
Potential volunteers should contact Jess Leone at 860-713-3131 x 329! Thanks for your interest.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES FREE family activity areas can be found at Mortensen Riverfront Plaza on the Hartford side and in Great River Park on the East Hartford side.
BOATER INFO
Boaters are welcome to join us on the River. Riverside Park’s boat launch will be open, but launches at Charter Oak Landing and Great River Park will be closed. This year, the fireworks will launch from three barges on the River, so the Coast Guard and local Marine Patrols will be on the River to guide and direct you to designated areas.
ALCOHOL POLICY
Riverfest is a family friendly environment and ABSOLUTLEY NO ALCOHOL WILL BE ALLOWED.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is Riverfest not on the Fourth of July this year?
We’re getting that question a lot this year – but the reality is that Riverfest has not been held on the Fourth of July holiday in at least 20 years. The last time we held the festival on the holiday, by the way, we drew a much smaller crowd – maybe because people plan their own gatherings of families and friends for barbecues and picnics or go away for a three-day weekend. Equally important, though, the cost of producing the festival is significantly higher on the holiday. That’s an important consideration for the City of Hartford and the Town of East Hartford, which donate the services of their public safety personnel and other municipal employees – making it possible for us to produce such a big free event on both banks of the river. And we believe that we should celebrate America’s independence and freedom every day of the year, not just on July 4.
What else can I do in Hartford? Why not park your car at the Connecticut Science Center and visit Hartford's newest attraction before the Riverfest festivities begin at 4pm! Visit the Connecticut Science Center website click here.
SPONSOR THIS EVENT
If you would like to be a sponsor of Riverfest, please call Debra Pittore Forand at 860-713-3131 x 326.
FOOD, MERCHANDISE AND MARKETING VENDORS
We are now accepting applications for food, merchandise and marketing vendors at Riverfest. Click here for application and information.
Taste of the Caribbean & Jerk Festival
Saturday, August 4, 1pm-11pm
This year marks the 7th Annual Taste of the Caribbean and Jerk Festival and it will be bigger and better than ever! Don’t miss one of Hartford’s premier cultural events as both the upper and lower areas of Mortensen Riverfront Plaza are transformed into a Caribbean village. Bring the whole family to enjoy a variety of musical and dance performances while sampling authentic Caribbean fare from over 25 vendors. Other highlights include a children’s activities village, Caribbean carnival with spectacular costumes, and salsa and merengue dance lessons. Taste of the Caribbean is produced in collaboration with CAYASCO.
We are currently seeking food, merchandise and marketing vendors for this event. Click here for more information.
Click here to see a YouTube video of the 2009 Taste of the Caribbean Festival.
PARK RULES & REGULATIONS - Please note: Due to liability and legal restrictions, NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES of any kind may be brought into the Riverfront Parks by any party. Riverfront Recapture is the only licensed authority to sell and serve liquor for consumption in the Riverfront Parks.
Riverfront Dragon Boat and Asian Festival 2012
Saturday, August 18 & Sunday, August 19
MORE EVENT INFO COMING SOON
Now recruiting food, merchandise and marketing vendors for this year’s event. Click here to review our 2012 vendor application!
Pipes In The Valley Celtic Festival
Saturday, September 29, 11am-10pm
This Celtic Music Festival celebrates nine years at the Riverfront with bagpipes, Celtic Fiddling, Scottish Drumming, Step Dancing, Kids Activities, Highland Games, and plenty of beer! Produced in collaboration with Olde Burnside Brewing Company this festival promises a day filled with fun, flavor and world-class entertainment! CHEERS!
For more information on this event, please visit the Pipes in the Valley website.
We are currently seeking food, merchandise and marketing vendors for this event. Click here for more information.
PARK RULES & REGULATIONS - Please note: Due to liability and legal restrictions, NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES of any kind may be brought into the Riverfront Parks by any party. Riverfront Recapture is the only licensed authority to sell and serve liquor for consumption in the Riverfront Parks.
