WISCONSIN RAPIDS – This year marks the country’s 250th anniversary, and local communities are planning their Fourth of July celebrations.
Some municipalities and organizations are hosting their usual fireworks celebration, while others are organizing new or bigger events this year to honor the milestone, including live music, fireworks, parades and more festivities.
Check out these options to celebrate Independence Day in the Wisconsin Rapids area.
Friendship
The McGowan House will host a Fourth of July Parade Watch Party at 10 a.m. July 4 at 507 Main St. in Friendship. Guests can gather with John Adams, George Washington and “other patriots of 1776” under the tent at this event to watch the United States’ biggest celebration. The event will kick off with Alexis Walton singing the national anthem.
The Adams-Friendship VFW Post 6279 & Auxiliary will host the Adams-Friendship Independence Day Picnic and Parade starting at 10 a.m. July 4 at the Adams County Fairgrounds on Adams County J.
Pittsville
Between the Heart and Sole Race and the 63rd annual Legion-Lions Fourth of July Celebration, Pittsville will celebrate 250 years of independence with its 65th annual Pittsville July 3rd and 4th Celebration. The annual Heart and Sole Road Race will start with the kiddie race at 6:30 p.m., with the main race starting at 7 p.m. July 3. Rising Star will perform classic rock hits from the 1970s and 1980s from 7 to 11 p.m. July 3, with a fireworks display during the band’s break at dusk in Riverside Park. A parade will start at 11:30 a.m. July 4 with a kiddie parade, followed by the main parade. Tuck Pence will perform from 1 to 3 p.m., and Mike Nanstad will perform from 3 to 6 p.m. July 4, as well.
Rome
The Lake Sherwood Independence Day Celebration will run from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 4 at 1146 W. Queens Way in Rome. Activities for kids will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the annual boat parade will start at 1 p.m., with fireworks starting over Lake Sherwood at dusk. The event will also feature food vendors, a beer tent, live music, a cornhole tournament, a water ski show, raffles and more.
Stevens Point
Riverfront Rendezvous will run July 3-5 at Pfiffner Pioneer Park, including three days of live music, a market, a children’s play area, a family zone, food trucks, food tents, a picnic table tent, a beer tent and more. A city parade will start at 10 a.m. July 4 along Main Street in downtown Stevens Point. A drone light show will launch from the Wisconsin River at dusk July 4 and fireworks will launch from the Wisconsin River at dusk July 5.
Wisconsin Rapids
Wisconsin Rapids is expanding its annual Fourth of July celebrations this year and will host Rapids Riverside Freedom Fest & Fireworks in downtown Wisconsin Rapids. Festivities will start at 8 a.m. with the Downtown Farmers Market and will continue all day through the fireworks show at dusk. Other festivities include a Freedom Food Drive, a free community yoga class, a Kids Zone with bounce house, dunk tank and games, as well as live music. Vendors will be set up along both sides of the Wisconsin River, as well. The fireworks display will start around 9:30 p.m. along the riverbank.
Contact Caitlin at cshuda@usatodayco.com or follow her on Twitter @CaitlinShuda.
This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Where can I celebrate the Fourth of July in the Wisconsin Rapids area?
Reporting by Caitlin Shuda, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune / Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Caitlin Shuda, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune | USA TODAY Network
