April Hayden-Munson's Blog Fourth of July in Milwaukee Wisconsin, 4th of July Celebrations and times

Welcome to my Blog, this is April Hayden-Munson's Blog. It is Independence Day once again! There are parades, fests and fireworks everywhere! Here is a list of Parades, Fireworks and Fourth of July Celebrations and Fests. This list includes Milwaukee, Brookfield, Wauwatosa, Waukesha, Pewaukee well - all the suburbs! For fun on this Independence Day stop out at a local parade!

Enderis Playfield: July 4 - Parades depart from 81st St. School and Mother of Good Counsel Church bright and early at 8:30 a.m., followed by a 9:15 a.m. flag raising and music concert/sing-along. Contests and games continue throughout the day, including a fire department water cannon display and watermelon eating contest.

- The 10:30 a.m. parade to Gordon Park begins the celebration, followed by live local music throughout the day. The fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.

- The parade starts at 9 a.m. at Kinnickinnic and Lincoln Avenues; the afternoon children's parade begins at 1:30 p.m. Games, contests and activities continue throughout the day, and there is live music starting at 3 p.m. The night closes with an expanded fireworks display at 9:15 p.m.

- Children's parades begin at 8:45 a.m. with ice cream at 9 a.m. A flag raising ceremony and kids' contests round out the morning. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.

- The park hosts a neighborhood talent contest at noon today.

- Parades from Hartford and Maryland Avenue Schools start at 9 a.m. with art projects and other parades, like a doll buggy, coaster and tricycle parade, to follow throughout the day. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.

- You'll have to check out another park for daytime festivities but you can make your way to Lincoln Park for fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

- A flag raising and opening ceremony starts the day at 1 p.m., followed by talent shows and a karaoke showcase. McGovern won't have fireworks, but nearby Lincoln, Noyes and Washington Parks will have plenty of sky candy.

- A school parade is held at 8:45 a.m., with a flag raising in front of the Domes taking place at 10 a.m. Games kick off right afterward, as well as a 2 p.m. talent show and music from DJ Dan Variety from 6 to 9 p.m. The fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.

- A parade leaves at 8:45 a.m., with a flag raising and ice cream at 9:45 a.m. and fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

- The parade leaves from St. Catherine's Church at 9:30 a.m. with ice cream an hour later, and games and prizes throughout the day.

- The day begins with a flag raising at 11 a.m., then hosts games and contests until the fireworks show at 9:15 p.m.

- The parade commences at 9 a.m. Music, contests and crafts follow until 3 p.m., when The Greater Milwaukee Figure Skating Club puts on a free ice show at the Rec Center, 4001 S. 20th St. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.

- Fireworks start around 9:30 p.m., but activities run all day long in Veteran's Park on the lakefront, including Gift of Wings' Fireworks Kite Festival starting at 11 a.m. This is by far the biggest and most popular fireworks display in the area. Our advice is to camp out early with your blankets for a good seat.

- The village's annual parade starts at 9 a.m. at Bayside Middle School and ends at Ellsworth Park.

- A parade for the town begins at 10 a.m. on July 4 running on Calhoun Road between North Avenue and Gebhardt Road. The city's annual Ice Cream Social and ceremony follows the parade in the Civic Plaza between City Hall and the Safety building. Mitchell Park hosts Family Fest from 6 to 9 p.m. on July 4 with family-oriented activities. The city's fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. in Mitchell Park. The Town of Brookfield will also host another parade at 9 a.m., running from Elmbrook Church to Marx Park.

- This year's Fourth of July celebration features a parade from Brown Deer Middle School to Village Park starting at 1:30 p.m., plus food and other entertainment in the park. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.

- Stake out a spot between 127th Street and Arden Place and Frontier Park to catch the parade at 2 p.m. Fireworks light up the park at dusk.

- A community parade starts at 10 a.m. and runs south from Firemen's Park. It's followed by festivities at Cedar Creek Park, including music, food and children's activities. Fireworks light up the sky at 9:30 p.m.

- Cudahy's parade steps off with a new route, traveling North on Lake Drive from the corner of Lake Drive and Grange Avenue to Armour Avenue. The parade steps off at noon and is followed by ice cream and Cracker Jack for the kids in Sheridan Park. The park hosts plenty of other activities and entertainment until the fireworks at 9:20 p.m.

- A 10 a.m. parade runs from Cory Municipal Park to the Delafield Legion Post. Fireworks light up the sky at dusk July 2 over Lake Nagawicka.

- An Independence Day Fun Run/Walk starts at 9 a.m. in the village park and is followed by a bike decorating contest at 11:45 a.m. at the fire house. Carnival games, rides, a "No Crybabies Baking Contest" and live music round out the day's activities. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.

- A parade steps off at the Fox Point police station at 9 a.m. today and winds its way to Longacre Pavilion.

- The city of Franklin 2011 Civic Celebration features three days of celebration centered at Lions Legend Park, running Saturday 3 p.m.-midnight, Sunday 2 p.m.-midnight and Monday 10 a.m.-10 p.m. The celebration features a children's parade at 10:30 a.m. and a main parade at 11 a.m. on July 4 along Highway 100 and Loomis Road. The ninth Franklin Idol Contest returns for kids and adults to show off their pipes, plus local bands, including The Toys and Pat McCurdy, will take the stage to round out the music lineup. Fireworks are set for July 4 at 9:30 p.m.

- The noon parade winds from Pilgrim Road and Francese Drive to Firemen's Park. Fireworks send off the day in style at dusk in the park.

- Glendale welcomes Independence Day with a three-day festival and celebration at Kletzsch Park, including a parade on July 4 at 10:30 a.m. (the kids parade begins at 10 a.m.). An arts and crafts fair, carnival, food and music are featured each day of the Glendale Days festival. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. on July 4..

- Greendale celebrates with its Fourth of July Parade at 10 a.m., which travels from South 68th Street and Grange Avenue to Greendale High School. This year also features a 5K run/walk on July 4, stepping off at 9 a.m. Fireworks close things out at 9:15 p.m.

- Just next door, Greenfield rings in the Fourth with a parade and appearances by the Klement's Racing Sausages at 10 a.m. starting from South 68th Street and Layton Avenue. There will also be a special KidsZone, contests for kids and adults, raffles, live entertainment and fireworks at dusk, all at Konkel Park, 5151 W. Layton Ave.

- Hales Corners starts July 4 off early with the 8 a.m. Firecracker Four Run in Hales Corners Park and New Berlin Road. There's an antique and classic car show at Holz Chevrolet from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Children's Parade starts at 9 a.m. The fire station hosts an open house 11 a.m.-3 p.m. A pie/dessert baking contest starts at noon. The "Big Parade" starts at 4 p.m. beginning at 102nd Street and Forest Home Avenue and ending at Village Hall. The fireworks go off at dusk in Hales Corners Park. The Hales Corners Park pool also features food and live music from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

- Set up along Main Street for the parade at 2 p.m., then swing by Veteran's Memorial Park for fireworks once the sun goes down.

- The Civic Veterans Parade starts the festivities July 3 at 2 p.m. with a lineup winding south down 6th Avenue and west on 60th Street. Three stages of music entertainment continue the celebration the next evening at Harbor Park, followed up with 9:30 p.m. fireworks.

- New Berlin's Family 4th festivities run through Monday in Malone Park, 2805 S. Casper Dr. The National Dash, a 5K run or two-mile run/walk, steps off Monday at noon. The main parade starts at 1 p.m. and runs along National Avenue. Fireworks start at 10 p.m. Live entertainment (including Milwaukee regulars The Love Monkeys and Pat McCurdy), rides, games and even a petting zoo will be around daily.

- Celebrate America's birthday with a parade at 9 a.m., which kicks off at the corner of Groveland Drive and Shepard Avenue and ends at the American Legion. There is free ice cream and T-ball and baseball games in Upper and Lower Legion Park after the parade. Fireworks begin at dusk.

- Head to Veteran's Memorial Park for an 11 a.m. parade and fireworks at dusk.

- Head to Pewaukee High School to see the parade starting at 3 p.m. followed by a bike decorating contest at 5 p.m. The Pewaukee Water Ski Club show starts after the parade at 6:45 p.m., followed by live music and a 9 p.m. fireworks show over Pewaukee Lake.

- Racine's Fourth Fest features one of the largest parades in the Midwest. Get there early to stake out a spot to watch it along its 2.6-mile route. Fireworks finish off the day along the lakefront at dusk.

- The 1 p.m. parade starts at South Main Street and Rebel Road. Stake out a spot in Peninsula Park for the fireworks at dusk.

- Shorewood's parade steps off from Oakland Avenue and Kensington Boulevard and ends at Spector Field at River Park. Live music from Tweed Funk starts up in Atwater Park at 6 p.m. and continues until the fireworks at 9:35 p.m.

- Grant Park's Brown Pavilion (areas 5 and 6) hosts a morning of fun activities, beginning with a Kids Bicycles and Coaster Decoration Parade at 10 a.m. Races and games follow at 11 a.m., as well as free ice cream and caramel corn for all kids. A fireworks display ends the day at 9:30 p.m.

- A 10 a.m. parade makes its way from Norwich and Barland Avenues to Milt Vretenar Municipal Park. Fireworks end the day at 9:15 p.m.

- Get ready for the fireworks at 9:20 p.m. in Sussex Village Park.

July 4 - The parade kicks off the fun at 10 a.m. at Main and Water Streets and proceeds to Riverside Park. An all-day carnival in the park will offer plenty of entertainment until the fireworks at 9:45 p.m.

- The North Avenue parade begins at 9 a.m. Afternoon and evening events, which include pony and camel rides for the kids, inflatables, live music and performances from the Milwaukee Public Theatre start at 12:30 p.m. in Hart Park, 7300 Chestnut St. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.

- The parade starts at 11 a.m. and travels from Cutler to Frame Park. The Waukesha County Exposition Center will host the city's fireworks. Grounds open at 7:15 p.m. and fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.

- The parade begins at 11 a.m. on July 2, starting at 77th Street and Greenfield Avenue and ending in Veterans Park, 70th Street and National Avenue, with a post-parade community celebration from noon to 3 p.m. The Grandstand Show at State Fair Park begins with a 6 p.m. Talent Showcase and ends with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

- The parade lines up at 9:30 a.m. at Badger Middle School and ends at Regner Park. Move to Riverside Park at dusk to catch the fireworks.

- Watch the parade en route from East Silver Spring Drive and North Kent Avenue to Klode Park at 11 a.m., followed by fireworks in the park at dusk.