Fireworks, sizzling food hot off the grill, refreshing cold beverages, sun, water, music, camaraderie and celebrating all the things that make our country special.
Is there anything better than the Fourth of July?
Well, whatever your opinion on that matter, Kenosha County has you covered for all the holiday fun. And with the actual holiday falling on Monday this year, that means there’s time for a full four-day weekend of celebration, from kicking off the weekend on Friday all the way through Monday night’s fireworks spectaculars.
So, before everyone has to go back to work on Tuesday, here’s a rundown from around the county of where you can catch dazzling fireworks displays, take kids out to parades, get out on the water, catch some great live music, grab some tasty food and just enjoy four days of outdoor fun:
Fireworks displays
SATURDAY, July 2
Village of Twin Lakes
Libertyfest Fireworks
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Lance Park (55 Lance Dr.)
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PHOTO: KENOSHA KINGFISH
SUNDAY, July 3
Simmons Field
Kenosha Kingfish vs. Lakeshore Chinooks
Time: Baseball game begins at 5:05 p.m., postgame fireworks and concert to follow.
Location: Simmons Field (7817 Sheridan Rd.)
FYI: Fireworks are part of Red, White & Blue Day, presented by Piasecki Funeral Home, for Kenosha’s Northwoods League game against the Chinooks. Festivities include postgame fireworks and a concert by indie folk trio Violet Wilder.
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Village of Paddock Lake
Paddock Lake Fireworks, Inc.
Time: 9:30 p.m.
Location: Old Settlers Park (24100 75th St.)
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PHOTO: JEFFREY ZAMPANTI
MONDAY, July 4
City of Kenosha
Celebrate America Festival Foods Fireworks
Time: 9:30 p.m.
Location: HarborPark. Fireworks will be staged at Celebration Place, east of the Kenosha Public Museum on First Avenue.
FYI: Pyrotechnics expert “The Mad Bomber” will light up the night sky over the lakefront for the annual Celebrate America Fourth of July display. Patrons should plan to arrive early to stake out a spot downtown near the lakefront. Bring a blanket and lawn chairs and pack a picnic meal, or choose from a selection of hot, fresh food from local vendors. Admission is free.
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Parades, concerts, carnivals and other events
FRIDAY-MONDAY, July 1-4
City of Kenosha
Time: 5-10 p.m. Friday; Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday-Monday
Location: Between 54th and 55th St., west of Sixth Ave.
FYI: This classic carnival features an assortment of rides, games and food. Fees apply per attraction.
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SATURDAY-MONDAY, July 2-4
City of Kenosha
Time: 3-10 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Monday
Location: North of 54th St., between Sixth Ave. and Third Ave.; music and vendors at Veterans Memorial Park, 625 52nd St.
FYI: Happenings Magazine, Festival Foods, Kenosha County and other partners join for the three-day holiday event, which features live music, food and vendors. Admission is free and open to the public. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE
Here is a schedule of bands performing at Celebrate America:
SATURDAY, July 2
Shoreline Stage (along the harbor near 54th St. and Fourth Ave.)
3 p.m.: Isabella Maria (top country hits)
5:45 p.m.: The Collective (rock and pop hits)
8:30 p.m.: The First Wave (‘80s new wave/alternative)
Fireworks Stage (at Veterans Memorial Park, 625 52nd St.)
3:30 p.m.: Saturday June Band (straight ahead rock-and-roll)
6:15 p.m.: Project Nostalgia (pop and classic rock; Queen, Cheap Trick, Joan Jett, etc.)
9 p.m.: Beyond the Blonde (tribute to ladies in rock; Pink, Gwen Stefani, Lady Gaga, etc.)
SUNDAY, July 3
Shoreline Stage
3 p.m.: Simply Sound (pop rock, ‘80s to today)
5:45 p.m.: Kung Fu and Whiskey (‘60s/’70s rock)
8:30 p.m.: Kashmir (Led Zeppelin tribute)
Fireworks Stage
3:30 p.m.: Eco Limes (‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s and beyond)
6:15 p.m.: Andrew Scott Denlinger (rock; Bob Seger, Eagles, Chris Stapleton, etc.)
9 p.m.: Poison’d Crue (classic hair-band favorites)
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MONDAY, July 4
Shoreline Stage
Noon: Smolen & Friends (classic rock, country, pop)
2:45 p.m.: Whiskey & Harmony (country and pop rock)
5 p.m.: AM/FM (hits from the ‘80s to today)
5 p.m.: Seal Party (psychedelic soul from this West Coast duo)
7:45-9 p.m. and 9:30-10:30 p.m.: Boys and Toys (Kenosha rock band)
Fireworks Stage
12:30 p.m.: Flat Creek Hwy (bluegrass/Americana)
3:15 p.m.: Would You Kindly? (psychedelic soul from this West Coast duo)
7:45-9 p.m. and 9:30-10:30 p.m.: The Hat Guys (dance rock, disco, ‘80s to current)
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City of Kenosha
Time: On-site registration begins at 4 p.m. on Saturday, 3 p.m. on Sunday and 11 a.m. on Monday, with performances beginning an hour after that each day. Big air finals begin at 7 p.m. Monday.
Location: East of Sixth Ave. at 54th St.
FYI: The diving dogs are back as part of the Celebrate America holiday event. Dogs will entertain and refresh the crowds in the diving event, with a large pool set up for the contest. Dogs will be encouraged by their owners to jump off the dock and into the pool to retrieve their favorite toy.
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SATURDAY, July 2
Village of Twin Lakes
Libertyfest Parade
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Starting at St. John’s parking lot (701 N. Lake Ave.) and ending at Lance Park (55 Lance Dr.).
FYI: Food and entertainment will be available as part of the holiday festivities.
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Town of Wheatland
Lily Lake Kids’ Costume Party and Parade
Time: Line up at 10:30 a.m., costumes judged at 10:45 a.m., parade at 11 a.m.
Location: Near Lily Lake Boat Launch at 77th St.
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PHOTO: SUBMITTED PHOTO
SUNDAY, July 3
City of Kenosha
Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Route begins at Washington Rd. and Seventh Ave., travels south on Seventh Ave. and Sixth Ave. downtown and ends on the south side of Library Park.
FYI: Parade is presented by Snap-on, with the theme “America the Beautiful.” Kenosha County joins the City of Kenosha in supporting the parade, along with division sponsors Kenosha Kingfish, Jockey International, First American Bank, AECOM and Festival Foods. The Navy Band Great Lakes leads this year’s parade, which also features 11 floats competing for ribbons and the Best in Show trophy. Look for veterans groups, a stilt walker, jugglers and a host of entertainers and honored guests. The best areas for viewing will be along Seventh Ave. and Sixth Ave. before the parade concludes at Library Park. For more, check out a Kenosha.com story HERE.
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Kenosha YMCA Firecracker Run
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Location: Downtown Kenosha, starting at Library Park.
FYI: The 44th annual Kenosha YMCA Firecracker Run, presented by Uline, includes two in-person races this year, a timed 5-kilometer race and an untimed 1-mile “fun fun.” Additionally, there will be three virtual races, a 5K, a 10K and a 1-mile “fun run.” Last-chance sign-up for the event is available in-person at the YMCA, 7101 53rd St., on Friday from noon to 6 p.m. For more, check out a Kenosha.com feature story HERE.
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Village of Paddock Lake
Bike Parade
Time: Line up at 9:30 a.m.
Location: McAlonan Park (7116 248th Ave.)
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Village of Paddock Lake
Paddock-Hooker Lake Association Boat Parade
Time: Line up at 5 p.m., start at 6 p.m.
Location: Paddock Lake channel
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MONDAY, July 4
Carol Beach
Fourth of July Parade
Time: Begins at 10 a.m.
Location: The parade starts at 86th St. and Lakeshore Dr. and moves south through the Carol Beach neighborhood in Pleasant Prairie.
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Town of Somers
Fourth of July Parade
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Route begins at the west entrance to Shoreland Lutheran High School (9026 12th St.), proceeds east on Highway E (12th St.), turns right onto 72nd Ave. (Highway EA) and ends at Somers Elementary School (1245 72nd Ave.). Total route is approximately 1.5 miles long.
FYI: This year’s parade theme is “Celebrate the Red, White & Blue in 2022!”
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City of Kenosha
Let Freedom Sing
Time: 4-5:30 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
Location: Pennoyer Park Bandshell (35th St. and Seventh Ave. along Kennedy Dr.)
FYI: The Kenosha Pops will perform a medley of patriotic favorites from 4-5:30 p.m., then Yesterday’s Children will take the stage from 7-9 p.m. The group was formed way back in the mid-1960s and has entertained crowds around the Midwest for many years with a combination of contemporary rock, jazz, pop and soul music. Bring a picnic dinner and relax prior to the Festival Foods Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
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Town of Wheatland
Lily Lake Boat Parade
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Lily Lake Boat Launch (7812 Lily Lake Rd.)
