The United States is turning 250 years old and Milwaukee is celebrating.
There are drone shows, fireworks and all sorts of other celebrations. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel created a guide for where to go, how to celebrate and a brief history lesson on Wisconsin in 1776.
What makes this Fourth of July different?
The fourth is one of the country’s largest holidays. People spending the day on the water, grilling outside and watching fireworks.
But author Mary Antoine said the USA 250 celebration feels smaller than previous celebrations.
America had the Centinel Exposition that drew 10 million people to Philadelphia. Antoine was alive for the 200th birthday celebration, and she remembers a lot of local celebrations in towns all across the state.
“I don’t think there’s that much celebration for 250,” she said.
Leo Landis, a historian with the Wisconsin Historical Society, agrees that past celebrations surpassed what is happening now. Landis remembers the USA 200 celebrations. He was in Iowa at the time and said there was the Freedom Train, a museum on rails that traveled the country to celebrate the nation’s 200th birthday. That train did make stops in Wisconsin.
Where to celebrate?
Milwaukee will have its second-ever drone show on July 3. The drones replace annual fireworks, and this year’s show will be 45 minutes with 900 hundred drones.
The county has switched to a drone show, but fans of fireworks can see nearby shows online. Fireworks start early, with Hartland starting its show on June 26. Three Milwaukee suburbs have June fireworks, but the majority of fireworks are on July 3 or July 4, including multiple Milwaukee County parks.
Other celebrations include parades and even a dog decorating contest to see who has the most patriotic pup. Alcott Park has a cannon salute, Humboldt Park has a doughnut and doughnut hole eating contest, and Enderis Playfield has a bike, wagon and scooter decoration contest.
Only here
Summerfest, which sells itself as the world’s largest music festival, has more than 600 artists performing this year and is one of the most musically diverse music festivals in the world.
There are new food and drink vendors at Summerfest serving everything from cheese curds to ice cream to butter beer. Summerfest is even bringing back its immersive art experience.
Garth Brooks kicks off Summerfest on June 16 and there are concerts leading up to July 4. Other notable headliners include Ed Sheeran, Muse, Jelly Roll, Post Malone and Megan Moroney.
America 250 History
Wisconsin wasn’t really involved in the American Revolution, and the native tribes who were involved fought with the British.
Fur trading was popular in Wisconsin in 1776. The French originally ran the fur trade, but lost control of the operation after losing the seven years war to Britain. Landis, with the Wisconsin Historical Society, said native tribes saw the British as a way to push back against the expanding American colonist, so they helped them.
Two Wisconsin tribes did fight alongside the Americans, the Oneida and the Stockbridge-Munsee. Both tribes originally lived on the east coast but were forced to move to Wisconsin as early Americans relocated native tribes.
Best food and drinks
Milwaukee is Brew City for a reason. The breweries are unmatched, as are the cheese curds and custard. But the city has hidden gems worth a visit.
But if you are looking for the best of the best, the Journal Sentinel created a list of the top 25 restaurants in 2025.
Places everyone should see
The Milwaukee Brewers leave town for a long road trip July 3, but there’s always Summerfest.
There’s also the spots Milwaukee locals love, like the bobblehead museum. But many locals’ favorite underrated attraction, if you can call it underrated, is Lake Michigan and all its beaches. The lake creates some beautiful hiking trails and beaches.
The Journal Sentinel also compiled a list of the state’s most treasured views. Here are the top seven hotspots, six of which are outside of Milwaukee.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: America 250: How to celebrate in Milwaukee
Reporting by Blaise Mesa, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Blaise Mesa, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
