LIST: Fireworks and festivals to celebrate the Fourth of July

MADISON, Wis. — With the Fourth of July weekend making a fast approach, many communities throughout Southern Wisconsin are planning festivals and fireworks displays to celebrate the holiday. Here’s a look at some of the fun to come this weekend.

Beloit

Fourth of July Spectacular: The Beloit Sky Carp will host this event at ABC Supply Stadium on the Fourth, with a performance from the Beloit-Janesville Symphony Orchestra. Fireworks will begin immediately following the performances. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the music starts at 7:30 p.m. The event is free to the public.

DeForest

DeForest Fourth of July: This event takes place from July 2 to July 4 in Fireman’s Park. Every day there will be a food court and beer garden as well as live music, a parade, and fireworks at dusk to close out the day on the Fourth.

Edgerton

Edgerton Fireworks: July 3 and 4 will host events at Raceway Park, including a petting zoo, local musicians and fireworks at dusk on the Fourth.

Evansville

Lake Leota Fest: Enjoy a long weekend from July 1 through the 4 at Lake Leota Park in Evansville. Each day holds different events including live music, a car show, a euchre tournament and more. A fireworks display is scheduled for dusk on the Fourth.

Janesville

Independence Day on the Rock: The Rock Aqua Jays will show off their water-ski skills on the Rock River at Traxler Park. There will also be live music, food and a beer tent. The festival will be capped off with a fireworks show. The festival runs from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m on the Fourth.

Madison

Festival Foods Fireworks: This event will be hosted by the Madison Mallards at Warner Park after their game which will take place at 5:05pm on July 3. This show is planned to be the largest Independence Day fireworks display in the Madison area. Live local music will take place prior to and during the fireworks show which will take place inside the Duck Pond.

Lights the Isthmus: This event held by Festival Foods at Breese Stevens Field takes place July 2 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets to the event cost $10, but children under 12 are free with a paying adult. An all-inclusive rooftop ticket is also available for $50 which includes three beers per person, unlimited Pepsi products, and all-you-can-eat tailgate fair starring Oktoberfest brats. The event will feature four local bands, food and beverages, and fireworks.

Fourth Fest: This event, hosted by the Edgewater Hotel, will feature live music and a Kids Zone with face painting, balloon art, games and crafts. The event is free to the public and runs from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Mazomanie

Independence Day CELEBRATION: A full day of fun is scheduled for Monday in Mazomanie. Start the day off at Mazo Lions Park, where the pool and splash pad will be open from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Play some pool games and get a free root beer float from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. After you dry off, head over to the Lions Park ballpark at 4 p.m. to watch the Mazo Mustangs take on Muscoda. Once the game wraps up, head to Westland Promenade Park at 6 p.m. for pulled pork, burgers, hot dogs and beer. At 7 p.m., the Iron Horse Cornet Band will perform at the park’s pavilion. At dusk, head to Mazo Bluff for fireworks.

Monona

Monona Community Festival: The all-weekend festival, which runs July 2 through the Fourth, will take place in Winnequah Park. The festival includes events such as a Strongman competition, a wife-carrying competition, a hole-in-one contest where you can win $5,000, a carnival that includes all rides for $25, and live Wisconsin-based bands. Beer and wine tents along with food tents will run all weekend as well. There are fun activities for kids besides the carnival including rock climbing and balloon animals. A fireworks show will round out the weekend starting at 9:20 p.m. on the Fourth.

Portage

Festival Fireworks Celebration: Portage’s firework display will happen on the city’s northside off of Gunderson Drive starting at 9:30 p.m. on July 2. Attendees are encouraged to set up their chairs in the Festival Foods parking lot and on surrounding side streets.

Shorewood Hills

Shorewood Hills Celebration: This celebration has a plethora of events all day for everyone to enjoy including a triathlon, softball game, art fair, parade and fireworks at dusk. A full schedule of events is available online.

Stoughton

The Stoughton Fair: This fair, which runs from June 29 through July 4 at the Stoughton Fairgrounds in Mandt Park, will feature live music, a junior dairy show, food eating contests, and more. More information and a full schedule are available online.

Waunakee

WaunaBoom: Waunakee’s WaunaBoom Fourth of July celebration runs from 2 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in Ripp Park on the Fourth. Attendees can expect music, food, an F-16 flyover, and fireworks starting at 9:45 p.m. A full schedule is available online.

Parade at Willows Tavern: The tavern is hosting a parade from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to celebrate the Fourth of July. This is a great event to attend with children. End the day with drinks and food at Willows in Waunakee.