The busiest night of the year on Burlington waterfront will once again be July 3rd, as the City celebrates Independence Day with the biggest fireworks show in Vermont.
While the fireworks begin at 9:30, activities along the waterfront begin at 5, so you will definitely want to arrive early. The main stage at Waterfront Park will feature music from Red Hot Juba and Kat Wright.
There will be no parking on Main Street, Lake Street and parts of Battery, King & Champlain from 5pm until Midnight.
It is recommended that guests utilize the University of Vermont Gutterson Parking Garage, which offers free parking for the event. GMT shuttles will begin running at 3:45pm and continue running until 11:30pm to get people from Patrick Gymnasium to One Main Street on the waterfront. The round trip fare costs $1. Be prepared to wait after the fireworks as some streets will be closed to allow pedestrians to clear the area.
If you take your bike, Local Motion will feature free valet parking on Lake Street at the northern part of Waterfront Park.
For guests commuting to Burlington, be sure to check out Vermont Railway’s Fireworks Express, with stops in Charlotte, Shelburne and South Burlington. Tickets are $15 and children under the age of three ride for free. More information and tickets are available on their website. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
If you are able to park on the waterfront you should be prepared to wait an hour to leave after the show as pedestrians and Green Mountain Transit buses will take priority. All City Garages will charge a flat $5 rate starting at 4pm, payment will be taken upon entry to expedite exiting the garage. The Perkins Pier lot will be $10 for cars and $20 for trailers. There is handicap parking at the Lake Street extension by the A_Dog Skatepark.
Traffic will be heavy throughout the downtown following the fireworks.There will be two lanes leaving the city on Main Street. Traffic flow on College, Cherry or Pearl will be directed to Colchester Avenue or Route 127. Motorists are encouraged to use these designated streets, avoid neighborhoods or cross town routes. All parking lots off Lake Street will exit up Depot Street at the end of the night.
Parks and Recreation will continue to provide updates and feel free to check in on facebook & twitter by looking up #btvjuly3.