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Welcome to Vernon, a celebrated place to live, work and visit. 

July in the Sky

July in the Sky, Vernon's annual fireworks spectacular, is scheduled for Tuesday, July 11, 2023. The rain date is Wednesday, July 12.

 

Fireworks begin after 9:15 p.m. when the sky is dark enough.

Activities in Downtown Rockville

Managed by the Rockville Downtown Association
(Check back for updates.)
 

Parking restrictions:

 
  • ROAD CLOSURES IN DOWNTOWN ROCKVILLE: East and West Main Street will be closed at 6 p.m., St. Bernard’s Terrace, Park Street and Park Place will be closed to traffic at 5 p.m.
  • NO PARKING: Court Street (east side only between East Main Street and Brooklyn Street). north side between entrances to Rockville Professional Center and Vernon Avenue; West Main Street, between Vernon Ave and Union Street.
  • Due to safety issues and large crowds, the Vernon Police Department will enforce that bikes, scooters and skateboards, etc., will only be allowed in the festival area during the parade. Please plan accordingly!

Activities begin at 6 p.m.

Admission is FREE

Push, Pedal and Pull Patriotic Parade: Begins at 6:45 p.m. in the Courthouse Plaza/Ladd & Hall parking lot. Decorate wagons, strollers, bicycles, tricycles, skateboard with patriotic designs. Trophies will be awarded. Assemble at 6:30 p.m. Judging is 6 to 6:30 p.m. by Miss Greater Rockville Micayla Barrows, Miss Greater Rockville Teen Makaylin Foster and Miss Tolland County Teen Alexis Hayes.

The National Anthem will be performed by Rockville High School student Elyjah Abernathy. 

After the National Anthem, the parade awards will be distributed.

Live music by Better Than Chips, 6 p.m.

Activities for children (some require purchase of tickets):

Wristbands are $10, cash only.
Fun Zone opens at 6 p.m.

  • Bounce houses
  • Rocket Launch
  • Disney Princess House
  • Obstacle Course
  • Giant Slide
  • Rock Wall
  • The Great Foam Machine
  • Corn Hole games
  • Frisbee toss game
  • Chalk drawing
  • Hyzer Disc Golf Course

Food vendors

  • Nana's Ice Cream
  • Keifer's Kettle Corn and Italian Ice
  • Rockville High School Booster Club Food Truck
  • Kona Ice Truck
  • No Coast Kitchen
  • Rockville Exchange Club fried dough

Crafters and Businesses exhibitors

  • Not Your Grandmother's Crochet
  • Crochet Lovey by Bre
  • M+M Crafters
  • Songbird Creative Designs
  • Chit Chat- The Face Paint+ Party Place
  • Advanced Windows
  • Renewal by Anderson
  • Ocean City Novelties
  • Artist Haven Media

Non-profit exhibitors

  • ECHN Family Development
  • Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance
  • North Central District Health Department
  • Become Part of the Solution
  • Cub Scout Pack 221 of Vernon
  • Rotary Club of Rockville
  • River of Life Christian Fellowship
  • Bridge Family Center
  • EastConn Tolland County Head Start
  • Evergreen Family Theatre

Fireworks begin after 9:15 p.m. when the sky is dark enough.

Thank you to our generous sponsors, without whom this event would not be possible.

  • The Bundy Family
  • Kaplan Cycles
  • Garden Barn
  • Lafayette Wine and Liquor
  • Clay Furniture
  • Leighton, Katz and Drapeau, LLC
  • Jacob's Well Christian Coffee House
  • Swiss Cleaners and Uniform Service
  • Vivi Chiropractic
  • Farm Car Care Center
  • ECHN
  • Union Church
  • M&T Bank
  • Jennifer Holt Coldwell Banker Realty
  • Artist Haven Media
  • Spirit & Truth Apostolic Church
  • Mill Street Auto
  • West Main Barber Shop
  • Ladd-Turkington and Cameron Funeral Home
  • Scranton Motors
  • East Street Laundromat
  • Vernon Republican Town Committee
  • First Congregational Church
  • Union Church
  • Marcy House of Beauty
  • Hyzer Disc Sports
  • Vernon Cultural District Commission

Activities in Henry Park

Managed by the Vernon Parks and Recreation Department
(Check back for updates.)

Henry Park gates open at 6 p.m.; Gates close at 9 p.m. or when the park is full.

Parking restrictions:

  • ROAD CLOSURES AT HENRY PARK: Spruce Street, Tower Road after 10 a.m. (also closed to foot traffic), Henry Park portions of Thomas Street.
  • NO PARKING: Vernon Avenue, McLean Street, South Street.
  • ONE SIDE PARKING: High Street, Howard Street, Fox Hill Drive, Reed Street, Kevin Drive, Hale Street Ext, Earl Street, Crown Street.
  • NO PETS allowed in the park.
  • NO BICYCLES, NO SKATEBOARDS allowed in the park.
  • NO FIREWORKS, NO SPARKLERS allowed.
  • NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, vapes or smoking allowed in the park.

 

Admission: $10 per car, $2 per walker, $15 for a Fun Zone wrist band
CASH ONLY, CREDIT CARDS NOT ACCEPTED

National Anthem

Live music by Shaded Soul Band, 7 p.m.

Fun Zone attractions
Wristband for Fun Zone attractions is $15, cash only
Fun Zone is open 6 to 9 p.m.

  • Dual Slide
  • Moon Bounce
  • 4 in 1 Combo Sports Combo
  • Shoot and Score Connect 4
  • Soccer Darts
  • Roller Skee Ball
  • Rock Wall
  • Racetrack
  • Krazy Konez
  • Photo Tent
  • Face painter (additional fee)

Food vendors

  • Jeff’s Kettle Corn
  • Cousins Maine Lobster
  • Rolling Smokehouse
  • New England Soft Serve
  • Kona Ice (2)
  • Square Peg Pizza
  • Nutmeg Concessions
  • Vinci Concessions (2)

Fireworks begin after 9:15 p.m. when the sky is dark enough.

Thank you to our generous sponsors, without whom this event would not be possible.

  • THE BUNDY FAMILY
  • MCDONALD's
  • SCRANTON MOTORS
  • Dunkin Donuts
  • USI Insurance Services of CT
  • Vernon Poolman
  • VIVO Chiropractic

 

Vendor and Sponsor opportunities for July in the Sky

There are two venues for July in the Sky: Downtown Rockville and Henry Park. There is an admission fee to get into Henry Park. There is no charge for the Downtown Rockville venue.
 
There are opportunities for vendors and to sponsor attractions and activities at each location.
 
For information about vending or sponsoring an attraction in Downtown Rockville, please contact Jennifer Holt of the Rockville Downtown Association at 860-805-5610. You can also click here for Rockville Downtown Association sponsorship opportunities. .
 
For information about vending or sponsorships at Henry Park, please contact Vernon Parks and Recreation at 860-870-3520.
 
To participate, vendors and food vendors must obtain local permits from the Vernon Police Department and the North Central District Health Department. Links to those permits can be found below.
 

PERMITS & INSURANCE

It is the responsibility of the Vendor to secure and show proof of the below additional permits as well as provide the required insurance. These forms must be submitted to the appropriate parties no later than June 1, 2023. Copies of the approved forms must be provided to us no later than June 22, 2023. Failure to secure ALL permits AND provide proof of permits & insurance will result in forfeiture of all monies paid to date and vendor permit.

Peddlers, Hawkers, Solicitors, Canvassers & Salesman permit must be submitted to the Vernon Police Department no later than the date indicated above. One permit is required for each vending location. IF YOU ARE REQUESTING MORE THAN ONE LOCATION YOU WILL NEED MORE THAN ONE PERMIT. There is a charge for this permit which is paid directly to the Vernon Police Department. The Vernon Police Department can be reached at 860-872-9126.

Temporary Food Service Application can be obtained through the North Central District Health Department located at 375 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon, CT. Phone: 860-872-1501. NCDHD licensed vendors must still complete the application. This application must be submitted to NCDHD no later than the date indicated above.

Application forms:

Vendor Application for Henry Park

Vendor Application for Downtown Rockville

Peddlers, Hawkers, Solicitors, Canvassers and Salesmen permit application

Peddlers, Hawkers, Solicitors, Canvassers and Salesmen application instructions

North Central District Health Department Temporary Food Service Application