Waukesha Plans For Unique, Safe Independence Day Celebration
WAUKESHA, WI — While the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has changed the way that Independence Day will be celebrated this year, city officials have taken a creative approach for commemorating the July 4 holiday on Saturday.
The city has announced that the day will not culminate with a fireworks display. Although alternatives were explored, officials decided that due to the need to maintain proper social distancing as well as the challenges associated with other logistical issues and the amount of traffic a fireworks display would generate, scheduling the display was not feasible. City officials announced they plan to resume their normal July 4 celebration in 2021.
Instead, the city has the following events scheduled for Saturday:
A reverse parade will be held from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. as local residents are invited to decorate their vehicles and pass through the parade route, which will include floats, music and other entertainment around Cutler Park. Goodie bags will be handed out to the first 1,000 children and the parade will be hosted with the theme, “Remember Why It’s The 4th of July”.
The parade route may be entered on Grand Ave., heading north beginning at Carroll St. toward Wisconsin Ave. The route will continue by turning left on Wisconsin Ave. and then left on Maple before vehicles exit the route by continuing down Maple. All participants must be in a vehicle and remain in their vehicles for the duration of the parade.
The day will continue with a front yard cookout at 4 p.m. as residents are encouraged to move their grills into their front yard and safety celebrate with their neighbors. Starting at 7:10 p.m., the Waukesha Commemorative Air Force and the U.S. Navy T28 Trojan Horsemen will conduct a flyover until 7:25 p.m. as part of the city's tribute to the Independence Day holiday.
The city celebration will conclude at 8 p.m. with a “Let Freedom Ring” event as area churches will ring their bell as a way of a celebrating the holiday weekend.
This article originally appeared on the Waukesha Patch
