The July 4th holiday is always one of the busiest of the year, drawing residents and visitors alike into the center of town and down to the water for three big events, fireworks, a parade, and a concert.

This year the Madison Fireworks display is scheduled for Wednesday, July 3 at 9:30 p.m.; the Exchange Club Independence Day Parade is Thursday, July 4 and steps off at 11 a.m.; and the Concert on the Green is Saturday, July 6 at 6 p.m.

First up this year is the Madison Fireworks show.

The Madison Fireworks show takes place on Wednesday, July 3 at 9:30 p.m. at the waterfront area off of West Wharf. The fireworks are visible from multiple points in town. Parking on and near the waterfront will be limited or non-existent and people are encouraged to take free shuttles from the Stop & Shop Parking lot on Samson Rock Drive, the railroad station on Bradley Road, and the commuter parking lot on Durham Road at I-95. The shuttles will run from 7 p.m. and through the evening.

The Madison Fireworks Organization has put the event on every year since 2002 and raises the funds needed to provide the show each year. Since the average municipal fireworks show can cost tens of thousands of dollars, the organization is asking for donations to help support the show.

The fireworks draw thousands of people each year so police and emergency personnel ask residents and visitors to obey posted signage regarding road closures and parking. According to the Madison Fire Marshal Sam DeBurra, “The best viewing of the fireworks is from the Town Beaches, West Wharf, East Wharf, and Surf Club. Admission to the Town Beach areas is regulated by the Town’s Beach and Recreation Department.”

On the day of the show starting at 7 p.m. West Wharf Road (southbound), Surf Club Road (westbound), Middle Beach Road West (westbound), Island Avenue (southbound), and Middle Beach Road from East Wharf Road to Island Avenue will be closed to car traffic. No street parking is allowed on Middle Beach West and emergency officials reserve the right to move up the road closure depending on crowd size.

The fireworks are launched off of a moored barge on the Madison shoreline. For those who watch the fireworks show by boat, there is a chance to get a little closer to the barge this year. Madison Fireworks recently purchased and donated eight buoys for the Madison fire department to use in roping off the barge. In previous years the department had to rely on buoy donations.

“These protect the perimeter so the boaters and kayakers and jet skies know not to approach,” said DeBurra. “Normally we only have four so now we can make this more concentrated around the barge which allows boaters to come in just a bit closer.”

The Madison Fireworks show is Wednesday, July 3 at 9:30 p.m. with a rain date of Friday, July 5. To learn more about the Madison Fireworks Organization, Inc., visit www.madisonfireworks.org/home.

The Exchange Club Independence Day parade is on Thursday, July 4 and steps off at 11 a.m. The parade will proceed west on Boston Post Road (Route 1) from Samson Rock Drive to the West Wharf Road and will end in the Surf Club.

The Concert on the Green is on Saturday, July 6 at 6 p.m. According to the town website: Participants are welcome to “gather on the green, bring your own chairs/blankets. No alcohol is allowed on the Green. Due to the large number of people expected to attend, everyone is encouraged to arrive early as there will be traffic delays and parking restrictions. No parking on Copse Road from Bradley Rd to Britton Lane.” In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Dining and Assembly Hall of Daniel Hand High School, and limited to the first 420 people.

More information, including road closures, is available at madisonct.org/712/Independence-Day-Events. Check zip06.com and next week’s paper for more information on these July 4 activities.