WESTPORT–The Town’s annual fireworks at Compo Beach on Thursday, July 2 (rain date Friday), will be Westport’s busiest gathering of the year. Thousands of people will gather at Compo Beach and on the adjacent streets, with 1,800 Compo Beach parking passes sold by the Westport Police Athletic League.

But, it will take time and patience to get there–and even more time and patience getting home.

The Police Department warns residents of extremely heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic on all roads south of Greens Farms Road between Compo Road South and Hillspoint Road as well as the surrounding streets. Fireworks spectators should anticipate significant delays entering, parking and finding seating.  

Beach closes at 4 p.m.

Daytime Compo Beach visitors are reminded that the beach will be closed to the public at 4 p.m. on the date of the event.  After 4 p.m., only vehicles with fireworks passes displayed on their rearview mirrors will be allowed to park at the beach. All other vehicles will be ticketed and/or towed. The beach will then reopen to allow entry to ticket holders by no later than 5 p.m.

No parking will be allowed on Compo Road South or Hillspoint Road. Illegally parked vehicles will be ticketed and towed away at the owner’s expense. Towed vehicles will be temporarily impounded and can be recovered at Lot F of the Longshore Club Park, located at 260 Compo Road South.

Pedestrians attending the fireworks are reminded not to walk on the roads and to use sidewalks when traveling to and from Compo Beach.  It is recommended that pedestrians wear bright clothing, and it is asked that parents please keep an eye on small children. Fireworks crowds are always large and dense, making it easy to quickly become separated from children if not closely attended to.

For PAL ticket holders:

Access to the PAL Fireworks display will be through South Compo Road only.  

Hillspoint Road south of Greens Farms Road will be closed to through traffic and will be accessible only to those with residences south of that intersection. 

Firework attendees should display their ticket prominently from the rearview mirror so it can be seen clearly when traveling to the event. 

All ticket holders must be inside Compo Beach prior to 9:00pm.  No vehicular beach traffic will be allowed south of the Minuteman Statue after that time.

Handicapped parking is available between the cannons and the pavilion.  Please note that handicap spaces are very limited and will be provided on a first come first served basis.

For those without parking tickets:

Cars and trucks without a ticket will not be able to reach Compo Beach and will be turned around at the Minuteman statue. Pedestrians and cyclists will be allowed access to the beach. 

Compo Beach-area residents hosting private parties are encouraged to have their guests arrive before 6:00 P.M. After 6:00 P.M., motorists without a PAL Fireworks placard will not be permitted access to the area, they will be turned around at Minuteman Statute. 

Those utilizing Uber, Lyft, or taxi services will be directed straight past the Minuteman Statue on Compo Road South. There, visitors can walk from the area of Compo Road South and Soundview Drive to the beach. 

Note to Lyft or Uber users:

If you choose to use these methods of transportation, please be aware that return service will not be available/possible until 11:00pm or later due to one-way traffic exiting the beach area. 

Notice for post-fireworks traffic:

Just prior to the conclusion of the fireworks display, two-way traffic will be suspended on Compo Beach Road and South Compo Road to the intersection of Greens Farms Road. There will be two lanes of northbound traffic on these streets until the beach is cleared of exiting vehicles. Residents of this area will encounter delays in getting to their homes for approximately one hour or until traffic has cleared from the Compo Beach area and should plan accordingly. Those planning on picking up family members in the beach area should also expect delays. Motorists are reminded there will be a significant amount of vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the Compo Beach neighborhoods before and after the event and are asked to please exercise extreme caution while traveling through this area.

Members of the Westport Police Department, Fire Department, EMS and Parks and Recreation staff will be on hand to assist.  The agencies ask those who attend to please be patient and to obey the directions of traffic control personnel.