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12 Wisconsin cities with the best Fourth of July celebrations
From fireworks and sparklers to parades and popsicles, there is so much fun to be had on the Fourth of July. While patriotic celebrations can be found all across Wisconsin, a few cities do Independence Day particularly big. Here are a few of our favorite Fourth of July festivities:
1. La Pointe, Madeline Island
This Independence Day Celebration has been described as one of the top 10 small town July 4th celebrations in the entire country. Make your way to Madeline Island for a morning parade, a day full of family-friendly events, and concluding with fireworks featuring a backdrop of anchored boats across the harbor.
2. Phelps
Dubbed the “Ultimate Small-Town American Independence Day Celebration”, Phelps’ Fourth of July event is held throughout the downtown area and draws visitors in for its parade, live music, children’s games, food and drinks, raffles, and fireworks over North Twin Lake.
3. Sheboygan
Sheboygan’s Independence Day celebration is a can’t-miss event. With a beach volleyball tournament, parade, carnival, cardboard boat race, live performances, and, of course, fireworks, I’m pretty sure this city thought of everything when it comes to summer celebrations.
4. Baileys Harbor
This Door County city kicks off its festivities with a pancake breakfast, followed by a parade, trolley rides, art and craft vendors, pony rides, live music, and fireworks at dusk. What better way to celebrate than in beautiful Door County?
5. Hayward
Quiz time: Which sport is known as “America’s Pastime”? Hayward celebrates the Fourth big with an annual Hayward Hawks baseball game, an old-fashioned family picnic, children’s games, food and drinks, and fireworks at dusk.
6. Chetek
Chetek Liberty Fest is the talk of the town, and for good reason. The city comes alive with a beach party, softball tournament, parade, movie night, craft show, car show, Hydroflites ski shows, and so much more!
7. Beloit
For a truly unique Independence Day celebration, make your way to Beloit for Pops on the Rock. The evening event offers free music by the Beloit-Janesville Symphony Orchestra, followed by an amazing firework show over the Rock River.
8. Park Falls
Take in an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration in Park Falls, where you can attend city-wide garage sales, a VFW breakfast, an arts and crafts fair, horseshoe tournament, live music and a bake sale. Kids will especially enjoy the ice cream stand, petting zoo, parade, and fireworks.
9. Bayfield
Bayfield takes advantage of its gorgeous Lake Superior shoreline for its Fourth of July festivities, which include island cruises, berry picking, walking tours, fish boils, sailing events, concerts, and two (because you can also see Madeline Island’s display!) fireworks shows over the city harbor.
10. Reedsburg
Freedom Fest in Reedsburg knows how to put on a show. With food vendors, children’s games, live entertainment, fireworks and even an appearance from Uncle Sam, the whole family is sure to enjoy this small-town Independence Day celebration!
11. Platteville
Stop by Legion Field in Platteville for its July 4th celebration, featuring bean bag tournaments, a 5k run/walk, a beer tent, food stands, live music, and a firework display to top it all off.
12. Racine
Racine boasts the Midwest’s largest Fourth of July parade, which will feature living replicas of national monuments, horses, jugglers, antique cars, the popular Iwo Jima presentation, marching bands, service men and servicewomen, and more. Lakefront fireworks top off this patriotic Racine day!
Where are you celebrating the Fourth of July this year? Share with us on social media using #DiscoverWisconsin.
Kristen Finstad is a member of the Discover Wisconsin crew. Having grown up in River Falls, attending UW-Stevens Point and now living in Madison, she’s a Wisconsin girl through and through. Watch Discover Wisconsin TV Saturday mornings at 10 on Fox Sports Wisconsin. (Twitter: @DiscoverWI)
