Independence Day and Fireworks Schedule in Milwaukee County

Independence Day celebrations kick off with the Fireworks Kite Festival and the U.S. Bank July 3rd Fireworks lighting up the sky over Milwaukee County’s lakefront. Community celebrations will take place in many of the Milwaukee County Parks on the following day, Monday, July 4.

July 3 at Veterans Park: Fireworks Kite Festival, Navy Band, U.S. Bank Fireworks

As thousands of residents and visitors head to The Lakefront on July 3 for the fireworks, the free kite festival at Veterans Park will keep young and old occupied and entertained. The event is sponsored by the Kite Society of Wisconsin in conjunction with Gift of Wings, U.S. Bank, and the Milwaukee County Parks. Giant kites of Yves LaForest will be featured. The festival is a “fun fly,” where everyone is welcome to bring a kite to participate. Kites will also be available for purchase. The fun fly will run from 11:00 AM – 6:30 PM. A large area of Veterans Park will be designated especially for kite-flyers—and the area offers a great view of the fireworks.

Navy Band Great Lakes

Celebrating Navy Week, the Navy Band Great Lakes seven-piece contemporary ensemble, Horizon, will perform from 5:30 - 6:30 PM at the stage near the Gift of Wings Store. The group plays current Top 40 hits, Classic Rock hits, Motown, Country, Funk, and Jazz. Navy Week is an outreach program giving area residents an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity. The musicians represent the pride and professionalism of the U.S. Navy and its mission of “Pride in Service.” For details, visit http://www.netc.navy.mil/nstc/navyband/horizon.html

U.S. Bank Fireworks

At 9:30 PM, tens of thousands of shells controlled by a state-of-the-art electronic system, will be launched from barges on Lake Michigan, off the shore of Veterans Park. Veterans Park and Juneau Park offer prime seating for the event. The fireworks will not be rescheduled in the event of severe weather.

Lakefront Traffic, Parking, Rules

Parking operations along the lakefront will begin July 3 at 6:00 AM. RV parking will also available. Many residents and visitors come to the lakefront early for nearby parking and plan to spend the day in the park, not leaving until the fireworks have finished and crowds have thinned. Visitors arriving later in the day are reminded that, at some point, North Lincoln Memorial Drive will close to vehicular traffic, and dropping off passengers will not be allowed. The event organizer suggests parking further west of the lakefront and taking a downtown bus to the event. For bus route information, visit ridemcts.com. Event-goers are reminded to pack out what they pack in. For additional rules, visit http://county.milwaukee.gov/July4thRegulations22493.htm

Fourth of July / Independence Day

July 4: Grant Park: South Milwaukee Celebration, Navy Band, Traveling Beer Garden
100 E. Hawthorne Ave., South Milwaukee
Picnic Areas 5 & 5A

The City of South Milwaukee will continue its tradition at Grant Park. Kicking off the event will be a kiddie parade at 10 a.m. followed by games presented by the South Milwaukee Recreation Department at 11 a.m. A popular event is the Mayor’s Picnic, with a free hot-dog lunch, Cracker Jack, and ice cream. To every child’s delight, bouncy houses will be open until 4 p.m. Fireworks will follow the performance of the Navy Band Great Lakes quintets. For more information on the parade, games, and fireworks, visit http://smwi.org/celebrations-events/

Navy Band Great Lakes brass and woodwind quintets will perform from 7-9 p.m. as part of the Navy Week celebration, an outreach program giving area residents an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity. The musicians represent the pride and professionalism of the U.S. Navy and its mission of “Pride in Service.” The Brass Ambassadors and Fair Winds perform for hundreds of thousands every year. For details, visit http://www.netc.navy.mil/nstc/navyband/index.html.

The Parks Traveling Beer Garden will be serving its brand of Gemütlichkeit—good friends, good beer, and good times beginning at 11 a.m., July 3 & 4. Last call is at 9 p.m. NOTE: A second beer garden is open at Holler Park, 5151 S. 6th St. For the full Traveling Beer Garden schedule, visit countyparks.com search: beer.

July 4: Community Celebrations in the Parks Several Milwaukee County Parks will host community celebrations presented by local municipalities.

The City of Milwaukee Fourth of July Commission will present a range of celebrations—from traditional bike and buggy parades to day-long celebrations. Celebrations will be at the following parks—all have fireworks unless noted: Alcott, 3751 S. 97 St. (ground-display fireworks); Gordon, 2828 N. Humboldt Blvd.; Humboldt, 3000 S. Howell Ave.; Jackson, 3500 W. Forest Home Ave.; King, 1531 W. Vliet St. (no fireworks); Lake, 3233 E. Kenwood Blvd.; Lincoln, 1301 W. Hampton Ave.; Mitchell, 2200 W. Pierce St.; Noyes, 8235 W. Good Hope Rd.; Sherman, 3000 N. Sherman Blvd. (no fireworks); Washington, 1859 N. 40 St.; and Wilson, 1601 W. Howard Ave. For more information, visit http://city.milwaukee.gov/July4th#.U6miu5RdWSp

The Village of Hales Corners celebration will begin at Hales Corners Park, 5765 S New Berlin Road, with the Firecracker Four Run at 8 a.m. A children’s parade; antique and classic car show; open houses at the fire station, Ben Hunt Cabin, and Hale Summer Kitchen; pie judging; bed races; and “The Big Parade” will take place throughout the Village. Fireworks will take place in the park at dusk. For more information on the day’s schedule, visit http://www.halescorners.org/  then select “events.”

The City of Glendale celebration will begin with parades leading to Kletzsch Park, 6560 N. Milwaukee River Parkway. At the park, from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., activities will include games, “Dunk the Mayor,” a climbing wall, bouncy houses, pet the sled dogs, Jedi training, a bean-bag tournament, and field games. Exhibition softball games by the Nicolet Recreation Department will also take place. Musical entertainment will include the Whiskey Belles, Angie Said Red, Magic Rivers, and the Ukeladies. Additional entertainment will be presented by members of the community, and at 3:30 p.m. children will compete in a talent show. At 6 p.m., the Screamin’ Cucumbers, a top local band, with perform at the celebration for the eighth straight year. Fireworks will take place at dusk. For details, visit http://www.glendale-wi.org/434/Fourth-of-July.

The City of Cudahy will kick off its celebration at noon with a parade leading to Sheridan Park, 4800 S. Lake Drive. Afternoon and evening events will include performances by the Cudahy cheer teams and pom-poms, a magic and illusion show, and musical entertainment by Winter in the East and Sensations. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. The evening ends with fireworks at dusk. For more information, visit http://cudahy-wi.gov/

July 4: Personal Event Picnics Picnic permits are not issued for the Fourth of July; picnic site use is on a first-come, first-served basis. Parks open at sunrise. No overnight camping is allowed. Because of underground utilities and irrigation systems, staking is not allowed; however, sandbags, weights, or water barrels may be used. For more information, visit http://county.milwaukee.gov/Picnic9058.htm

Area Fourth of July Events

Waukesha

“Here’s to 90 Years” Parade

11 a.m. Cutler Park

http://www.waukesha-wi.gov/695/4th-of-July-Activities

Wauwatosa

“Our Flag Our Freedom”  Parade

9 a.m. 80th St.

http://www.wauwatosa.net/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=784

Brookfield

Independence Day Parade 10 a.m.

Followed by Family Fest and Fireworks

http://www.ci.brookfield.wi.us/725/Independence-Day-Activities

Racine

4th Fest

Celebrating 80 Years of the Greatest Parade on Earth’.

Followed by fireworks at dusk

http://www.racine4thfest.org/

Kenosha

Fireworks 9:30 p.m.

Harbor Park, 56th Street and 1st Ave

https://www.kenosha.org/kenevents/events/july_4th.html

Share this article: