This Fourth of July marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the founding document of the United States of America. Independence Day marks more than just the start of the United States government, it’s a celebration of the world’s first modern democracy, one that gradually extended hard-fought freedoms and liberties to its citizens over the course of these two and a half centuries.
In the spirit of the United States’ history as a melting pot of people from different nationalities, religions and ethnicities, Independence Day is an opportunity for Americans from all different backgrounds to come together and celebrate the benefits of being an American — whether that be our constitutional freedoms, unrivaled resources like the National Parks, the diversity of our citizens or role as the global leader of culture and science — as well as reflect on the future of our nation.
Locally, there are tons of opportunities to gather and celebrate Independence Day in central Wisconsin.
The big Wausau area gathering will once again take place at the Wausau Downtown Airport on Saturday, July 4. Billed as “the biggest fireworks display in central Wisconsin,” the evening event is organized by Wausau Events and sponsored by Festival Foods and the municipalities of Wausau, Rothschild, Rib Mountain and Weston.
The gates for this free event will open at 6 p.m. on July 4. The best way to access the event is from the Emerson Street or Elmwood Boulevard airport gates.
“Just walk on in the gates and bring your lawn chairs and set up on the field,” said Brooklyn Hess, Wausau Events executive director. “The airport will be your front row seat.”
The setup will be similar to last weekend’s Wings Over Wausau event, with beverage tent for attendees to grab a cold drink and a row of 10 food vendors, which includes Curds of Wisconsin, Rocky Rococo, Palmetto Grill, Sweet S. Taste, Top Dogs, Vila’s Farm to Table, International Treats, Shucker’s Fire Roasted Corn, Rainbow Snow and King Cone.
The fireworks show at dusk (about 9:15 p.m.) will be a special one this year to commemorate the United States’ 250th anniversary.
“We always pride ourselves on being able to display the area’s largest fireworks show for the Fourth of July and Festival Foods has been a terrific supporter of bringing such a large fireworks show to the Wausau area,” Hess said. “Especially on this year, the 250th anniversary, Festival Foods has extended additional support to make sure that we can pull out all of the stops for the country’s 250th.”
Prior to the fireworks at dusk, attendees can enjoy live music from Vice Versa, a local band that plays a mix of modern pop, classic rock, country and “everything in between.”
Admission is free and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to set up in the airfield. Carry-ins, pets and smoking are not allowed on the festival grounds.
“Donations are never expected but they’re very appreciated in helping us bring this event to the Wausau community year after year,” Hess said.
Earlier in the day, local veterans organizations will host a 250th Anniversary of America Celebration from 1-7 p.m. at the Eagles Club in downtown Wausau. The celebration starts with kids activities and a social hour from 1-3 p.m. Kids activities include a bounce house, face painting by Magic Star Face Painting, games and music by A-Unique DJ Service.
A steak fry meal is served from 3-6 p.m. or until sold out. The steak dinner includes mashed red russet potatoes, beans and a dinner roll for $20. Veterans eat free with VA ID or DD214. For kids there is an option to have a $5 hot dog or burger plate instead of steak (kids ages 10 and under eat free). There will also be a $1 ice cream truck on site.
Starting at 6 p.m., the event concludes with a color presentation and ceremony.
This celebration is sponsored by the American Legion Post 10 and Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars Burns Post 388 and Auxiliary, the Eagles Club and the Man of Honor Society.
Now in its 42nd year, the Riverfront Rendezvous in Stevens Point has cemented itself as central Wisconsin’s premiere Independence Day celebration. The free three-day event starts Friday, July 3, and goes through Sunday evening with music and family-friendly activities every day at Pfiffner Pioneer Park in Stevens Point.
The celebration kicks off at 5 p.m. on Friday with inflatable games and carnival rides at the family zone (no tickets or entry fees). Live music will be hosted across three stages during the three-day weekend, starting Friday night. Throughout the weekend, the wide variety of acts include the Bodeans, Dig Deep (bluegrass), Dombrowski’s Happy Notes (polka), Phat Phunktion (funk), Too Hype Crew (hip-hop), TJ Morrow (country), Dueling Pianos, Brass Queens (New Orleans jazz), Pat McCurdy (variety) and more.
On Saturday there will be a downtown parade on Main Street at 10 a.m. There will also be a fishing contest outside the Pfiffner Building, a horseshoe tournament at Mead Park (which concludes on Sunday), bingo in the Pfiffner Building (also on Sunday), an improv show in the Pfiffner Building and a special market in the family zone. Saturday ends with a drone light show over the Wisconsin River at dusk.
The fun continues Sunday with an emergency vehicle display on Crosby Avenue from noon to 4 p.m. and an emergency extraction demonstration in the family zone at 4 p.m. Also in the family zone is a kids safety obstacle course presented by the Stevens Point Fire Department, and a musical instrument petting zoo where kids can try out a wide variety of instruments for free.
The grand finale of the Riverfront Rendezvous is a fireworks show over the Wisconsin River, sponsored by Festival Foods, at dusk on Sunday, July 5. Even if you’ve seen other displays over the prior days, it’s a great way to cap off the holiday weekend.
A full schedule with event times and locations can be found at stevenspoint.com/409/Riverfront-Rendezvous.
Other area festivities start as early as July 3, with fireworks displays in Merrill and Athens. Merrill celebrates Independence Day with food and fireworks at the Merrill Area Recreation Complex. Food will be available beginning at 5 p.m. with fireworks starting at dusk. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to view the fireworks. That same night, Athens will celebrate with a fireworks display at dusk at the River Country Feed Mill.
The Mosinee Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Fourth of July festival from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, July 4 at River Park in Mosinee. The free festival includes a parade (6 p.m.), horseshoe, cornhole and kids fishing tournaments (11 a.m.), kids activities and a petting zoo (3 p.m.) live music, food trucks (including Gritz BBQ, Chang Best Eggrolls, Smokehouse Barbeque, Barnyard Burgers and more) and a fireworks display at dusk. The Firecracker 5K Run/Walk registration begins at 8 a.m. for a 9 a.m. start. Featured bands will perform under the gazebo throughout the day.
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