MEDIA RELEASE: Hartford Bonanza Announces Headlining Concert Featuring Renowned Bassist Doug Wimbish in Collaboration with HSO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
This collaboration is one in a historic series of initiatives as Hartford Bonanza and the state capital city prepare to host Connecticut’s cornerstone America 250 celebration.
Hartford, CT — June 15, 2026 — Hartford Bonanza, produced by First Night Hartford, Inc., is proud to announce a collaborative partnership with legendary bassist Doug Wimbish to co-present a special America 250 Connecticut Commemorative Concert during this summer’s sixth annual Hartford Bonanza festival, which will culminate in the region’s largest Independence Day fireworks display.
The free performance on the Hartford Bonanza Mainstage, also featuring the full Hartford Symphony Orchestra with Hartford Chorale, will honor the nation’s 250th anniversary as part of an unforgettable, full day of arts, culture, food, community, history, and commemoration on July 4, 2026, in Bushnell Park from 12-10 pm.
The 7:30 pm headlining concert will be performed in three sets: a symphonic set by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, a WimBash band set led by Doug Wimbish featuring artists across generations from his groundbreaking career, and a collaborative set featuring HSO and WimBash artists together playing an iconic song selection before the 9:30 pm fireworks over the Capitol.
WimBash + Hartford Symphony Orchestra
featuring Doug Wimbish • Bernard Fowler • The Powell Brothers: Doobie, Kevin & Billy with Zyyayre Williams • Briana Maia • Jme Strchild • Dave Koltai • and special guests Corey Glover, Khaiim the RapOet, and the Hartford Chorale
Other Mainstage artists performing before the commemorative concert include DJ Dana Game, the Nat Reeves Quartet with Joshua Bruneau, and Dom McLennon with special guests.
This announcement is part of a series of innovative partnerships and initiatives as Hartford and Hartford Bonanza prepare to host the statewide commemoration of the America 250 moment, bringing together civic and historical organizations, artists, local businesses, visitors, and residents from across the state to reflect on the nation’s past while imagining its future on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the ratification of the Declaration of Independence.
Traditionally, the Symphony in the Park concert has been HSO’s key contribution to Downtown Hartford's outdoor event season. For 2026, the Symphony will channel that tradition into this new artistic collaboration with Hartford Bonanza and WimBash as part of the America 250 Connecticut Commemoration at Hartford Bonanza, reflecting a shared vision of civic pride and cultural vibrancy.
“The 250th anniversary, like the Bicentennial before it, is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said Jeff Devereux, Executive Director of First Night Hartford, Inc. “We want to celebrate it in a way that feels true to Connecticut–creative, collaborative, and community-centered. Partnering with WimBash and the Hartford Symphony Orchestra to bring their incredible talent and tradition to the Bonanza stage for a statewide gathering for residents and visitors of all ages is the perfect way to meet the moment.”
Hartford Bonanza, now in its sixth year, is a large-scale, free summer celebration independently produced by First Night Hartford, Inc., that last year brought more than 20,000 visitors to Downtown Hartford for live music, food, local vendors, cultural and civic programming, and the region’s biggest and best fireworks display. The addition of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra concert is one of a number of distinctive partnerships Hartford Bonanza is launching to ensure Connecticut’s capital city meets the America 250 moment for the entire state with relevant, culturally diverse, and artistically excellent programming that will engage everyone. More announcements about this festival’s partnerships, performances, interactive experiences, and statewide collaborations tied to the America 250 Connecticut Commission’s goals and themes will be shared in the coming months.
Generous funders to date for this collaborative headlining concert include the Katharine K. McLane and Henry R. McLane Charitable Trust, Talcott Financial Group, the Richard P. Garmany Fund at the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation, the Roberts Foundation for the Arts, and Evelyn W. Preston Memorial Trust Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee.
About the WimBash Music Series
Synonymous with Doug Wimbish, Doug's personal venture, WimBash, continues to be both a vision and a mission. WimBash, as a community and family based, musical and educational festival has redefined how we look at proactive involvement in making change. The event has established its name by leveraging the passion and talents of professional musicians by connecting them with groundbreaking programs in music, culture and quality education. WimBash features Doug playing with a number of world-class collaborators, as well as select local bands, providing the opportunity to see musicians, who more often play large venues around the world, in a much more intimate setting. WimBash is unique in that it brings together an eclectic group of music genres under one roof, utilizing the local talent alongside well-known artists while working together with a local foundation or organization in giving back directly to the community.
About the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
The HSO is Connecticut’s premier musical organization and widely recognized as one of America’s leading regional orchestras. The HSO captivates and inspires audiences of all ages by presenting more than 100 concerts annually, including the Masterworks Series, POPS! Series, Sunday Serenades, Discovery Concerts, Symphony in Schools, the Talcott Mountain Music Festival, and more. The HSO aims to deliver uniquely powerful and emotional experiences that lift and transform the spirit, and to give back and help create vibrant communities in the Greater Hartford area. www.hartfordsymphony.org
About Hartford Bonanza
Produced by First Night Hartford, Inc., Hartford Bonanza is a free summer celebration in Bushnell Park that brings together live performances, local food and businesses, family programming, and the Hartford region’s creative community. In close collaboration with the America 250 Connecticut Commission administered by CT Humanities, Hartford Bonanza will serve as a hub for statewide events honoring the 250th anniversary of the United States during Independence Day Weekend in particular, along with auxiliary America 250 programming leading up to the festival. www.hartfordbonanza.org
About First Night Hartford, Inc.
First Night Hartford, Inc., a community-centric 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, produces two beloved annual community celebrations in Bushnell Park with art, music, food & fireworks--First Night Hartford (New Year's Eve tradition) & Hartford Bonanza (Independence Day Weekend festival)--that showcase our capital city's arts and cultural ecosystem and promote civic joy, social cohesion, and community pride.
Hartford Bonanza Media Contact:
Jeffrey Devereux, Executive Director, First Night Hartford, Inc.
firstnight.hartford@gmail.com
HSO Media Contact:
Ashley Fedigan, Director, Marketing & Public Relations, Hartford Symphony Orchestra