Parks to be packed for July 4th holiday

MADISON, Conn. (WTNH) -- State parks will be hopping over the 4th Of July holiday, and News 8 has got your back with the holiday hitting in the middle of the week. We found out campers at Hammonassett are spreading the holiday into a week-long celebration.

Hammonassett Beach is brimming with blankets, umbrellas, and people. So, the campsite is also getting cozy.

"It just feels like home when there are flowers so, why not," said Sandy Glieco.

Glieco's camped there every summer since she was six. To get her spot, she books the earliest she can, 11 months out on the dot.

"Watching the clock tick, when it ticks, so always to get through right away," said Glieco.

Park officials say they reap the benefits of the 4th falling on Wednesday. Last weekend, it was packed, and starting tomorrow they're booked through the weekend.

"Hammonassett turns into a small village I guess," said Jack Hine, Parks & Recreation Supervisor.

With more than 500 campsites about 3,000 people are expected to be there this weekend, but many say it's 3,000 closest family and friends.

"It's one great big huge family that comes in here," said Sandra O'Donnell, "try to feed about 40 to 50 people in one night."

For 42 years, O'Donnell watched her family grow there each summer. Twenty of those years in the same Winnebego.

"It's just awesome just to sit back and watch and see your children," said O'Donnell. "It shows that they were enjoying what they were doing, and now they're doing it with their children and now they're children like it."

From the veterans to the youngest.
"I haven't been here for years and I've ben here for about a couple days," said 11-year-old Corey Fappiano.

Corey told News 8 his 4th of July favorites are "fireworks and the food."

Good thing there are so many willing to share.