🎆 Where to Watch Fireworks + Family Fun Ideas + CT Pharmacy Closures

July 03, 2025

Hope your week’s rolling along smoothly—and if not, at least we’ve got some summer magic to look forward to. In today’s edition, we’re serving up fireworks galore, kid-friendly adventures across the state, and some pharmacy shakeups you’ll want to know about.

Here’s what’s inside:

🎆 Your ultimate guide to 4th of July fireworks across Connecticut
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The best things to do with kids all year long
đź’Š Rite Aid announces more closures in CT
đź“— This Month in CT History: The Wyoming Massacre
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed

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From beachside blasts to park explosions, here’s where to catch all the sparkle this July.

This year, Connecticut’s going all out for Independence Day—because why limit the fireworks to just one night? Cities and towns across the state are hosting epic celebrations all week long with dazzling displays, live music, boat parades, food trucks, and more.

Whether you’re soaking it in from the sand at Madison’s West Wharf or vibing to a symphony before the sky lights up in Simsbury, there’s no shortage of places to feel the patriotic glow.

Don’t forget to double-check local listings for weather updates or cancellations—and maybe map out more than one show while you’re at it.

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👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 THE ULTIMATE KID-FRIENDLY CT BUCKET LIST

Rain, or sunshine—these family adventures are always in season.

Whether you're raising a nature explorer, a tiny artist, or a future marine biologist, Connecticut’s got something fun (and lowkey educational) for the whole fam.

Hike the iconic trails at Sleeping Giant, meet sea creatures at Mystic Aquarium, or get creative at indoor craft centers on rainy days. From snowy slopes at Mohawk Mountain to sunny beach days at Hammonasset, there’s always a reason to get out and make memories.

Need an easy win this weekend? This guide’s packed with crowd-pleasers for kids of all ages.

🛑 RITE AID SAYS GOODBYE TO MORE CT LOCATIONS

Pharmacy chain shutters stores statewide as part of ongoing bankruptcy fallout.

If you’ve got prescriptions at Rite Aid, it might be time to double-check your local store. The company just announced another round of closures—including four more Connecticut locations—as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring. That brings the total to 11 CT stores closing their doors, with more likely to follow.

While Rite Aid says it’s working to maintain customer services and transition prescriptions to other pharmacies, residents in towns like Brookfield, Wallingford, and Ridgefield may soon have to find a new go-to pharmacy.

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✔ Discounts that add up fast — Save on dining, shopping, gas, insurance, and more
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✔ Advocacy that matters — Support AARP’s work protecting Medicare, Social Security, and lowering prescription drug costs for millions

Whether you’re planning a trip, looking to save money, or want to support causes that matter to you, AARP membership pays off—again and again.

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A museum where tort law gets fun—and now, cheaper than ever.

Ever heard of a museum dedicated entirely to famous lawsuits, dangerous toys, and a red Corvair that helped change car safety laws forever? Welcome to the American Museum of Tort Law—the brainchild of consumer advocate Ralph Nader, located in Winsted. And thanks to this hot Groupon deal, you can dive into legal drama (without needing a JD) for up to 45% off.

Explore wild true stories of civil litigation, get a close-up of precedent-setting cases, and even wander through a gallery of dangerous toys that helped rewrite safety standards. Whether you're a law nerd or just curious about the stories behind those infamous headlines, this place brings the courtroom to life in a way that’s surprisingly entertaining.

👉 Snag your discounted tickets here before the deal disappears faster than an objection in court.

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

HAVE YOU BEEN HERE YET?

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

WHEN LAND, LOYALTY & WAR COLLIDED

One of the deadliest Revolutionary-era clashes—and it wasn’t even in Connecticut.

In the summer of 1778, a bloody and tragic chapter unfolded miles from Connecticut’s borders—but it involved hundreds of Connecticans who had long claimed the Wyoming Valley (now part of northeastern Pennsylvania) as their own. For decades, Connecticut and Pennsylvania had battled over the land, with both colonies dispatching settlers and staking claims rooted in conflicting royal charters. Then the Revolution broke out—and everything got even messier.

On one side: Connecticut migrants fighting for the Patriot cause. On the other: Pennsylvania loyalists, British troops, and Seneca warriors allied with the Crown. The result was a brutal confrontation now known as the Wyoming Massacre. Lured out of their stronghold at Forty Fort by a cunning ruse, the outnumbered Connecticut militia walked right into a slaughter. Roughly 300 were killed—many during the ambush and others during the gruesome pursuit that followed.

Though a temporary surrender agreement promised peace and property protection, it didn’t hold. Homes were looted, survivors scattered, and for many Yankees, the massacre became a rallying cry. Despite Pennsylvania’s eventual legal claim to the area, armed resistance by Connecticut settlers raged on until the Yankee-Pennamite Wars finally simmered down in 1794.

Just goes to show: even when the Revolution ended, some battles were far from over.

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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

DoorDash Expands Grocery Reach with Big Y and Citarella
Connecticut shoppers can now get groceries from Big Y and gourmet market Citarella delivered straight to their doorsteps, thanks to DoorDash’s latest partnership. The move adds convenience to local kitchens while boosting visibility for these family-owned grocery chains.

Stop & Shop Parent Confirms Major Data Breach Affected Millions
Ahold Delhaize USA, parent of Stop & Shop, updated the public on a serious cybersecurity breach that exposed personal data—including SSNs and financial info—for over 2 million people. A class-action investigation is underway, and impacted individuals are being offered free credit monitoring.

Future Firefighters: 28 Teens Graduate from Fire Academy Program
The Connecticut Fire Academy just graduated 28 cadets from its introductory firefighting program for teens. The intensive weeklong course gave 14- to 17-year-olds hands-on training in emergency tactics—and sparked aspirations for careers in fire service across the state.

Electric Boat to Bring 700 Jobs to Former Macy’s in Waterford
Electric Boat is turning the shuttered Macy’s at Waterford’s Crystal Mall into a new engineering and training hub, adding 700 jobs to the area. The sub-builder’s expansion helps revitalize the struggling mall and supports its growing workload in Groton.

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