July 4 Celebrations Light Up Towns Across the North This Week

Communities across the Northwoods are gearing up for a busy Fourth of July holiday this coming Friday, as towns and cities host a series of parades, family activities, fireworks and more in the days leading up to and immediately following Independence Day.

Eagle River

Eagle River's celebration will start July 4 at 10 a.m. with the Party in the Street downtown. DJ Chris and Tiffany will play music at the corner of Wall and Main streets until the parade begins at 11 a.m. Immediately following the parade, streets will continue to be closed down and DJ Chris and Tiffany will resume entertainment until 3 p.m. while Party in the Street attendees enjoy food, drink and other family activities. Party in the Street is put on by the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce, Eagle River Revitalization Program, and Eagle River Veterans Resource Center.

Eagle River's grand parade marshal, Karen Kubacki Boxrucker will be featured in the 11 a.m. parade, along with local businesses and organizations that have decorated patriotic floats in red, white and blue. Organizers have designated the "Wet Zone" on Wall Street from Silver Lake Road (at Peanuts Ice Cream) to Second Street (at the post office). Within this area, floats in the parade or spectators on the street can use squirt guns and other water-shooting devices to spray the crowd. Those who do not want to get wet during the parade should move further down and avoid the Wet Zone area.

Eagle River's fireworks display will go on at dark on Saturday, July 5, at the south end of the airport. According to the Eagle River Police Department, the best viewing will be along Bolte Road, off Illinois Road.

Three Lakes

Festivities start Thursday, July 3, on Big Fork Lake with the 26th annual Venetian Boat Parade. Owners can bring their decorated boats and meet at the channel to Big Fork Lake. The parade begins promptly at 9 p.m. with display boats going around the shoreline of the lake. More than 100 boats typically take part in the event, and spectators come to observe the parade from the center of the lake. For information on joining the parade or watching it, contact Ken at 608-438-5051.

The Three Lakes Lions Club and other town organizations will put on another "Up North Fourth" July 4, starting with the pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. at Three Lakes High School. Once everyone has had their fill of the fluffy breakfast, they can line up downtown for the start of the parade at 9 a.m.

Following the parade, the Party at the Park will begin at 10 a.m. at Don Burnside Park where a market and live music by Bogfoot will occur from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., courtesy of the Red Suspenders. Also on the park grounds will be food and drink provided by local organizations, including smoked pulled pork sandwiches and nachos from Three Lakes-Brule River Trails and other offerings by the American Legion. Demmer Library will hold its used book sale from 9 a.m. to noon.

Then, at 6:30 p.m., The Aqua Devils will put on their Independence Day ski show, and fireworks will start shooting at dark back at Don Burnside Park.

Land O' Lakes

Land O' Lakes' holiday celebrations start Thursday, July 3, with one of the largest fireworks shows in the Northwoods at dusk. The show goes on at King's Gateway Land O' Lakes Airport, where the annual tradition will light up the night sky. The public is invited to start gathering as early as 5 p.m. for the pre-firework activities which include a concert, food vendors, and beer garden.

Then on July 4, Luoto's Fitness Center will hold its annual 3Bear 5K Walk, Run or Bike and Youth Fun Run event starting at 8 a.m.

Participants age 14 and younger can line up early to take part in the Youth Fun Run at 8 a.m. that starts at Luoto's Fitness and ends in the east parking lot of Brew's Pub. This solid-surface run is just shy of 1K from start to finish, organizers noted. All proceeds from the run will go to the Land O' Lakes Community Playground, located at the town hall.

The 3Bear 5K is a family friendly recreational event that welcomes runners, walkers, bikers and dogs of all ages which begins at 9 a.m. at Luoto's Fitness. Race start is 9AM at Luoto’s Fitness. The route is a multi-media surface of asphalt, packed gravel trails and mowed grass. Strollers are welcome but organizers said they may be a challenge to push at times. There will be a timer for those serious racers who want to know their race time. 

All profits from the 5K race will be donated to Great Headwaters Trails to build bike trails linking eastern Vilas County to its western trails.  

The day's main event will begin at noon with the streets of Land O' Lakes bursting with red, white and blue for the annual parade. Packed with creative floats, classic cars, hot rods, marching bands and more, this beloved small-town tradition brings the whole community and thousands of visitors together for a day full of patriotic fun. Attendees are urged to come early to reserve a spot. There also will be kids' games, food, drinks and live entertainment at Pavilion Park throughout the day.

Phelps

Phelps' festivities will kick off with the grand parade at 3 p.m. featuring floats, vintage cars, UTVs, marching groups and more, and live music by Jackson Taylor from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Also scheduled are a variety of games and raffles, and a new cornhole tournament at 4 p.m.

The town's boat parade will begin at 5 p.m. on North Twin Lake, and in the evening, Night Shift will headline the event with music from 6 to 10 p.m. when the fireworks start.

Other Towns

In Sayner, the Sayner-Star Lake Lions Club will sponsor its annual July 4 community parade on Highway 155, along with the beloved chicken barbecue at Sayner Town Park. A fireworks display will go off at dusk behind the Plum Lake Library.

In Conover, a full day of activities are planned that include a parade down Highway K at 1 p.m., a picnic in the park, and a Chainskimmers Waterski Show on Lake Pleasant at 7 p.m.

For information on individual events, contact the town's chamber of commerce.