Portsmouth, Rochester, NH Postpone Saturday’s Fireworks Display

The cities of Portsmouth and Rochester have postponed its fireworks displays because of the rain expected during the display.

The Independence Day display in Portsmouth  will now be launched Monday night at 9:15 p.m. over South Mill Pond. No food or music will be part of the pre-fireworks festivities.

Rochester also postponed their display until Saturday, July 10 because of the weather.

The Portsmouth decision was a collaborative one made between fire, police, public works, the city manager and the recreation department with an eye on the clock and the forecast with many moving parts, according to city spokeswoman Stephanie Seacord.

"The fireworks company itself (Atlas Fireworks) needs 24 hours notice of any change," Seacord told Seacoast Current. "One of the requirements is that the public works department post street closure and no parking intentions 72 hours in advance. They had already posted all of the temporary signs and now they have to repost them all."

Police and police details also have to be rescheduled.

She said the team met Thursday and made the initial decision to postpone but wanted to get one more look at the forecast.

"Weather is so unpredictable. Maybe the rain will go through before Saturday night. Let's make absolutely sure the forecast says it will keep raining. It did," Seacord said.

The forecast calls for rain all day Saturday afternoon with gusty winds and a chilly high near 60. Monday will be partly sunny and a high near 80.

On Monday starting at 5 pm., special event parking will cost $3 at Foundry Place Garage or pre-pay $6 at Hanover Garage.

The following closures go into effect at 9 a.m. on Monday to accommodate the fireworks set up crew:

• South Playground
• Dog Park
• Tennis and Basketball courts

There is no parking starting at 12 noon Monday at these locations:

• Richards Ave. From Middle St. to South St. (both sides)
• Junkins Ave. from Pleasant St. to South St. (both sides)
• South St. from Miller Ave. to Marcy St. (both sides)
• Edwards St. from Junkins Ave. to Pleasant St. (both sides)
• Pleasant St. from Court St to Marcy St. (both sides)
• Lincoln St. from Kent to Junkins (one side)
• Kent St. from Rockland to Richards (one side)

These roads are closed starting at 7 p.m. on Monday:

• Parrott Ave
• Junkins from City Hall to Pleasant Street

Rochester also cut back on pre-display events and officials are encouraging people to spend time downtown before the show.

“We’re encouraging people to eat and shop downtown before and after the show,” Jeff Bisson from Rochester Main Street said. “This celebration attracts a lot of people and we hope they take the opportunity to see everything we have to offer.”

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH