Communities in Rock, Walworth counties plan Fourth of July festivities
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It's once again time for Americans to show their patriotism, honor those who fought for their freedom and celebrate their independence.
For some, it's a time to console pets frightened by fireworks.
Celebrations recognizing the Fourth of July are planned throughout Rock and Walworth counties, starting Thursday with a four-day festival in Whitewater. Along with fireworks, many feature live music, kids' activities, parades, car shows and enough food to make you pop like a bottle rocket.
Here is a listing of area Independence Day events:
Beloit
The annual “Pops on the Rock” event will take place Saturday, July 4, at Riverside Park, 1240 Riverside Drive.
This free event features a performance by the Rock River Philharmonic at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks will follow, and food vendors will be on site.
Brodhead
A parade begins at noon Saturday, July 4, at the intersection of 11th Street and West Third Avenue, proceeding down West Third Avenue to County E. Fireworks will be presented at dusk.
Delavan
The celebration starts at 7 a.m. Saturday, July 4, with a pancake breakfast at the Delavan Fire Station, 811 Ann St.
From 8-10 a.m., kids can participate in a Carp-O-Rama event on Lake Comus. A canoe regatta follows.
At 3 p.m., a parade starts at Sixth Street and ends at Phoenix Park for activities and live music.
Fireworks start at dusk at Veterans Memorial Park off Waterworks Drive.
Town of Delavan
Festivities start at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Community Park on Highway 50. Glenn Davis and his band perform at 4 p.m., and the park friends group will sell food, wine and beer.
Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. with live music continuing until 11 p.m.
East Troy
The East Troy Lions Club's annual Fourth of July celebration runs from Thursday-Sunday, July 2-5, at the East Troy Amusement Park, 3072 Graydon Ave., and on neighboring blocks. For more information, call 262-366-1765 or visit easttroylions.org.
The event will include a carnival, rides, a beer tent, food vendors and live music each day. The schedule also includes these events:
--Friday: Softball tournament at 5 p.m. and fireworks after dark.
--Saturday: Softball tournament continues at 9 a.m. The East Troy Lions Club car show goes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Truck and tractor pulls begin at noon followed by a kiddie parade at 1 p.m.
--Sunday: Parade starts at 1 p.m. at East Troy Middle School, 3143 Graydon Ave., heading down Main Street to the village square, where it loops around the square and heads back to the school.
Edgerton
Fourth of July festivities in Edgerton run Friday-Sunday, July 3-5.
The Edgerton Lions Club has activities planned all day Friday at Racetrack Park, 1010 Stoughton Road.
Along with activities for children, the event will feature a Little League all-star game, chicken bingo, a baseball game featuring the Albion Tigers at 6:30 p.m., and music by Glen Moore and the Saddlebags Band from 4-7:30 p.m. and by Mourning Daze from 7:30-11:30 p.m. Fireworks will be presented at dusk.
Admission is $2 for those 12 and older and is free to those 12 and younger. For more information, visit edgertonlions.org.
All day Saturday and Sunday, the sixth annual Patriot Tournament will feature singles, round-robin and 40- or 50-shoe rounds of horseshoes at Racetrack Park.
Elkhorn
Elkhorn's Independence Day celebration begins at 5 p.m. Friday, July 3, at Sunset Park, 200 Devendorf St., when the Holton Band performs.
Food and snacks will be available for purchase from Elkhorn Chamber of Commerce, Elkhorn 4-H and FFA. Fireworks will be presented at dusk.
Evansville
Evansville Community Partnership's annual Fourth of July festival runs Thursday-Sunday, July 2-5, at Lake Leota Park. For more information, visit ecp-wi.org/lake-leota-4th-of-july.html.
The schedule includes:
--Thursday: The festival tent opens at 5 p.m., with Cherry Pie performing at 8 p.m. Admission is $5 from 7-11 p.m. for those age 15 and older.
--Friday: Food vendors open at 11 a.m., followed by the festival tent at noon. A euchre tournament is planned from 1-4 p.m., coinciding with the Baker Building and Antes Cabin open house. The Gary McAdams Band takes the stage from 5-8 p.m., followed by Jamie Campbell & the Redneck Romeos from 9 p.m.-midnight. An ice cream social is planned from 6-8 p.m. on the front lawn of the Eager Free Public Library, 39 W. Main St.
--Saturday: The Evansville Fourth of July Run/Walk to benefit the Deb Olson Scholarship Fund, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Evansville Soccer Club starts at 7:45 a.m. A kiddie parade starting at 9:30 a.m. at Fifth Street and Garfield Avenue precedes the Fourth of July parade at 10 a.m. Food vendors open at 11 a.m. with a chicken barbecue and pie sale set for 11:30 a.m.. The festival tent opens at noon, the Evansville Little League All-Stars play from noon-1 p.m. on the park's upper diamond, and a Lunker Lob runs from 1-5 p.m. The Jimmys perform from 1-4 p.m., coinciding with the Baker Building and Antes Cabin open house. A Ducky Derby is planned at 7 p.m. Falcon performs from 5-7:30 p.m. and Lube from 9 p.m.-midnight. Fireworks go off at dusk.
Also Saturday, the Evansville Little League All-Stars play from noon-1 p.m. on the park's upper diamond. Other games feature BYE 14 vs. Edgerton at 3 p.m. on the upper diamond, followed by the Evansville Jays vs. Stoughton at 6 p.m.
--Sunday: The Rumble in the Park car show runs from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. A pancake breakfast is planned from 8-10:30 a.m., and St. John's Community Church offers worship service at 9:30 a.m. in the upper shelter. Food vendors are open from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and the festival tent from noon-6 p.m. Karaoke is from 1-4 p.m.
Fontana
Fireworks be presented at dusk at Fontana Beach on South Beach Drive.
Janesville
Independence Day on the Rock, hosted by the Rock Aqua Jays and sponsored by Festival Foods, WCLO/WJVL radio stations and The Gazette, begins at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Traxler Park, 600 N. Main St., Janesville.
Activities include:
--Beer tent
--An inflatable bounce house and slides. There is a cost per ride, or wristbands can be purchased for all-day admission.
--A food fair featuring Kona Ice, Elmer's Kettle Corn, Steve's Deli Dog House, Circlen Sales fair foods, the South Padre Streetfood truck and the Aqua Jays concession stand.
--Helicopter rides, which are offered for a fee by the park's warming house.
--“Anything that Floats” race registration—The race begins at 3:30 p.m. There is no entry fee.
--The Aqua Jays perform at 7 p.m.
--Fireworks start around 9:30 p.m.
Limited parking is free in the park. No parking on grass will be permitted.
--At 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 3, The Rock River Philharmonic will present its annual Concert in the Park at Lower Courthouse Park downtown. The performance is free.
From 4:30-7:30 p.m., a picnic service will be offered featuring hamburgers and brats, baked beans, cole slaw and brownies for $7. Lemonade and raspberry iced tea is included.
Ala carte items available for purchase include hamburgers, brats, fruit cups, chips, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, pasta salad, iced tea, lemonade, soft drinks and water. No alcoholic beverages are permitted in the park.
Lake Geneva
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, 7036 Grand Geneva Way, will host a celebration for guests and community members from 3-9 p.m. Friday, July 3. Activities include live entertainment, kids activities, midway games and a picnic.
Later in the evening, the UW-Madison Marching Band will perform. Bucky Badger is scheduled to make an appearance.
Fireworks will be presented at dusk.
Fees may apply for daytime activities, and those attending the fireworks display are asked to bring two non-perishable food items for the Lake Geneva Area Food Pantry.
--Geneva National Resort, 1221 Geneva National Ave., is planning a celebration for community members and guests. A free assortment of jumbo inflatables will be available for kids starting at 5 p.m. Live music is scheduled with Velocity at 5 p.m. Fireworks are planned at dusk.
Milton
Milton hosts its annual Fourth of July festivities Thursday-Saturday, July 2-4, at sites throughout the city. Hours are 6-11:30 p.m. Thursday, noon-11:30 p.m. Friday, and 9-11:30 p.m. Saturday.
Residents can watch parades, listen to concerts, play sports, enjoy a carnival, watch fireworks and more at Schilberg Park on High Street, across from the high school. Parking, admission and entertainment are free. For more information, visit milton4th.com.
The Milton Optimists Club will hosts a run/walk at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 4, at Milton High School, 114 W. High St. Cost is $5-$25. For more information, call 608-868-6900.
Milton's Independence Day parade starts at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at La Mar Park on Crescent Drive. This year's theme is “Milton: Then and Now.” To register, call 608-868-6900 or visit City Hall, 710 S. Janesville St.
Fireworks will go off at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Schilberg Park. The UW-Madison Marching Band will perform its “Fifth Quarter” routine before fireworks go off at dusk.
Sharon
Sharon's Fourth of July celebration runs from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. at Goodland Memorial Park, at the intersection of Goodland and Church streets. Activities, food and live music are planned. The parade starts at 11 a.m. downtown. Fireworks are planned at dusk.
Whitewater
Whitewater's annual Fourth of July festival runs from Thursday-Sunday, July 2-5, downtown. For more information, visit ww4th.com.
Planned activities include a carnival, beer tent and food vendors. Events are downtown unless otherwise noted. The daily schedule includes:
--Thursday: The Miss Whitewater Pageant from 6-9 p.m.
--Friday: Fireworks at 10 p.m. over Cravath Lake.
--Saturday: The Fourth of July car and bike rally goes from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; the Whippet City Mile Run starts at 9:50 a.m., following the parade route; the parade is at 10 a.m. starting at the corner of Highland and Prince streets before heading to Main and West Whitewater streets and ending at Fremont Street. The Minneiska Water Ski Team performs at noon on Cravath Lake, and fireworks will be shot off over the lake at 10 p.m.
--Sunday: Petting zoo from noon-5 p.m. and pedal pulls at 2 p.m.