Summer Spotlight: Whitney Water Park
A hidden gem in Hamden, the Whitney Water Park. Explore the award-winning architecture and landscape architecture of the facility and the park, including the nature trails and spiral hill. Also, an opportunity to check out the 2 historic buildings on the site — the historic Eli Whitney Barn, and the headquarters of Preservation Connecticut, the organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting the buildings, sites, and landscapes that contribute to the heritage and vitality of Connecticut communities. (The HQ itself is inside the national historic landmark Eli Whitney Boarding House.)
Friday June 30
Hamden Independence Day celebration and fireworks display, including a special musical performance by the Hamden Symphony Orchestra. Plus more than a dozen food trucks for dinner and desserts. Link for more details.
“Access to Law” program @ Yale Law School. Open to Hamden residents. Free two-year law school pipeline program. Application deadline June 30th. Link for more details.
Saturday July 1
“Gathering of the Paws” Pet Fair and Music Festival @ Twelve Percent Brewery. 10am-8pm. Link for more details.
30th Anniversary Party @ Towne Billiards. 5pm. Details below.
“Seeing Sounds Festival” @ Edgewood Park. 1-8pm. Free. Over 20 live music performances. Link for more details.
Sunday July 2
Sunday Concert Series @ East Rock Brewing Company. Free. Live music in the beer hall every other Sunday from 3-6 pm. Link for details.
Tuesday July 4
Fireworks @ East Rock Park. 9pm. The park is split, with half in Hamden and half in New Haven. The fireworks are launched from the summit, and can be viewed from all sides of the park. Link for more details.
Wednesday July 5
Storytime in the Park for pre-school children @ Miller Memorial Library. 10:30-11:30am. Stories, songs, parachute play and more. All ages are welcome. Meet at the side of the community garden in Town Center Park. Bring a blanket or something to sit on.
Hamden Mobile Food Pantry. 4:30-5:30pm. Details below.
To mark Independence Day 2023, Yale’s Beinecke Library continues its tradition of public readings of the Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776, and of the oration by Frederick Douglass given on July 5, 1852, in Rochester, New York, in which he asked: “What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July?” The event will take place on July 5 at 4pm on the library mezzanine.
These readings accompany an exhibition, on view from June 22 to July 12, 2023, of the first editions of both works, and some other key documents about the nation, providing an opportunity to consider how their powerful words were put on paper to be shared across and beyond the United States. The Beinecke exhibition hall is free and open to all seven days a week (closed on July 4). Visit the library’s website for details on daily hours. Link for more details.
Thursday July 6
“Bubbleology” STEM activity @ Miller Memorial Library. 11am-12pm. For kids in Kindergarten and older. Link to register.
SMART addiction recovery program @ Whitneyville Cultural Commons. 5:30-6:30pm every Thursday. The goal of SMART is to provide quality, science-based educational tools and community for individuals struggling with addictive behaviors — and a non-theistic alternative to twelve-step programs. Link for more details.
Alzheimer’s Support Group @ Arden House. 10:30am. Details below.
Friday July 7
Opening Night for the Hamden Summer Concert Series @ Town Center Park. Opening band at 7:30pm, Main band at 8pm. Details below.
French conversation group @ Miller Memorial Library & Cultural Center. This is the first in a series of meetings for the group. 4pm. All skill levels are encouraged from fluent to beginner. Link for more details.
Yale Carillon Summer Concert Series. Carillonneurs from all over the world are invited to come play the bells at Harkness Tower. Concerts are free and open to the public, and are held every Friday from 7-8pm. Link for more details.
The First Friday Documentary Series, presented by BVFCC & NHDocs, will screen “The Jewish Jail Lady and the Holy Thief”. 7pm @ BVFCC. Link for more details.
American Red Cross blood drive @ Whitneyville Cultural Commons. Every Friday 12:15-6pm. Walk-ins are welcome.
ICYMI:
Special Edition: Independence Day
Summer Spotlight: Kayaking & Canoeing in Hamden
Summer Spotlight: Enrichment Programs @ HPL
Summer Spotlight: Hiking in Hamden
More Hamden Programs:
Register now to get the early bird discount pricing (in effect until July 4th) for Hamde Soccer Association’s 23-24 season. Link to register. (Note: the prices on the registration website already include the early bird discount - no codes or coupons needed. Registration fees will increase after July 4th.)
Registration is open for Hamden Hurricanes Pop Warner youth football and cheerleading. Link to register.
July events at the Teen Center @ Miller Memorial Library.
Subscribe below to receive the weekly community events newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Thursday.
Please share with your Hamden neighbors, friends, and community groups. Thank you!
*Please confirm event details before attending any events listed in this newsletter. Some events require registration prior to attending. Some programs have limited enrollment.
*Community event submissions: thisweekinhamden@gmail.com