Southeast Wisconsin celebrates Independence Day
SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- CBS 58 is not only covering some of the Fourth of July celebrations taking place in the area, but many of the faces you know from our newscasts are involved in the parades!
Thousands spent the Fourth of July watching parades around Southeast Wisconsin.
"We enjoy it. It's a great parade. It's a great area," Waukesha resident Barbara Lesniewski said.
Lesniewski and her husband Ron have returned year after year to watch the Waukesha Independence Day parade.
"It's just nice seeing all the kids coming out here, having a good time, and letting them know what America is all about," Ron Lesniewski said.
The parade is also a favorite of Roland Kramer, who said he would often watch his children march in it.
"Just the fact that we're able to celebrate it without any constraints and enjoy our time together with family and friends," Kramer said.
In Milwaukee County, Wauwatosa also held a parade early Thursday.
"I like being with my family, friends and neighbors. My favorite part of the parade this year was all the bands," Wauwatosa resident Addison Scharlau said. "It's just another holiday I get to celebrate with them and get together and have food and stuff."
Noah Koeller goes to the Wauwatosa parade every year with his church and tells CBS 58 that he loves that the community comes together.
"Especially after Covid, it was not like many people out and about, so, it's just nice every year to see everyone just on like one street," he said.
While it is patriotic fun for all, in Waukesha, it is also a reminder of resilience as the community continues to heal from a parade tragedy that left six people dead in 2021.
"It's just awesome. Yeah, it's awesome the way everyone has come together. We're in great support, not afraid. We've got great protection in our police department. They're awesome," Barbara Lesniewski said.