More than One Way to Celebrate the Fourth

Ready for the big bang? Port Washington, Saukville and surrounding areas are once again putting on a show for the Fourth of July.

Each community boasts a string of activities, parades and entertainment to help celebrate Independence Day.

Port Washington

This year, Port Washington is hosting what it calls a "Go Fourth" celebration.  

At 11 a.m. July 4, the public is welcome to attend the parade that will march down Grand Avenue to Franklin Street, then across Pier Street into .  In addition to parade standards like police cars and firetrucks, children are invited to decorate their bikes and join the lineup. The decorations are available at and on the day of at the parade lineup area.

Allison Austin, volunteer parade coordinator, has been organizing Fourth of July events since 2009 and said, “the parade has been larger and longer each year and we appreciate everyone that participates.”

After the parade, all are welcome to Veterans Memorial Park for bike judging and a picnic, with fireworks to begin at dusk. Austin said that the best view of the show is Rotary Park.

Saukville

Starting at 1 p.m. July 4, Saukville will host its annual Independence Day parade. The route begins at Rebel Road and continues to Grady Park.

There, from 2 until 6 p.m., all are welcome to play games, enjoy refreshments and listen to music until the festivities are moved to Peninsula Park. There, the entertainment and music continues until the fireworks display at dusk.

Grafton 

Nearby, Grafton will be hosting its annual Holidaze event July 2 at Lime Kiln Park.  

Beginning at 2 p.m., a parade will march from the American Legion, down 12th Avenue to the park.

Then at 2:45 p.m. the park will open for an entire day’s worth of festivities, including live music, inflatable attractions, laser tag, bingo and treats provided by local restaurants such as the Flipside. The University of Wisconsin Marching Band will also be present at the Heart of Grafton Restaurant for a signature Fifth Quarter performance starting at 2:45.  

Grafton's fireworks display begins at dusk, and the party continues at Lime Kiln Park until 11:30 p.m.

Cedarburg

Cedarburg also boasts a fantastic lineup of holiday events with its annual Fourth of July Hometown Celebration.

At 8 a.m. Monday, families and individuals can participate in the 16th annual Dennis Krzykowski Memorial 5K Run.

Following the run at 10 a.m. the large parade will begin at Fireman’s Park and head through the city’s historic district down Washington Avenue. The two-hour parade includes performances by the Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps as well as singer Erica Hoyt.  

Hoyt will then have a special performance at noon, following the parade, at the Cedar Creek Park band shell.  Other musicians, including the Cedarburg Civic Band, will also play throughout the day.

Also, the Cedarburg Lions will be hosting a picnic at the park, along with games and facepainting for children.  

The day concludes with a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.