The 4th of July holiday is synonymous with fireworks and for the first time since 2019, the Bridgeport Hill Fireworks Show is on, thanks to the Greater Bridgeport Convention & Visitors Bureau/Connect-Bridgeport.
On July 3, spectators can park at Home Depot, Gabriel’s, Eastpointe and NewPointe plazas to watch fireworks light up the sky. “Fireworks on the Hill” will begin at 9:30 p.m..
“The residents of North Central West Virginia love this event,” said Sam Olivio, account executive with WDTV News Channel 5, event media sponsor. “Families start coming out around 5 p.m. to tailgate – setting up their chairs, blankets, and grills. The parking lot starts filling up around 6 p.m. and the kids have a blast.”
WDTV sponsored the event which ran 2014 through 2019, then came to a halt the first year of the COVID pandemic.
“Now, Bridgeport CVB – with the help of local businesses – is trying to bring it back to life and we hope to continue it,” Olivio said.
But families gathering on Bridgeport Hill to watch fireworks dates back much further.
“The event was known in North Central West Virginia for 40 years when Hills Department Store was still in business,” Olivio said.
Greater Bridgeport CVB Executive Director Cassie Busdeker is among those who remember gathering with family and friends for the annual show.
“I have such fond memories of spending time watching the fireworks growing up. We are so excited to be able to bring back this family tradition,” she said.
To take the event to the next level, food trucks will be stationed at the various parking lots to provide concessions, Busdeker said. A list of those vendors and where they will be located will be shared at a later date.
As they have in the past, Bridgeport and Clarksburg police and fire departments will provide traffic assistance and be on hand for any situations that may arise.
Business sponsorship opportunities remain available. For more information, contact solivio88@gmail.com or julie@connect-bridgeport.com.
Editor’s Note: File fireworks photos are by Joe Larocca.