Fourth of July Fun: Family Fun Fireworks, Parades, and MORE Lineup

It's hard to believe that the Fourth of July is almost here!  Here's a roundup of some of the places to check out picnics, parades, activities, fireworks, and MORE!  OnMilwaukee has compiled a list of some of the local places to check out the fun.  Don't see what you're looking for?  Please leave a comment below if we left anything out!

Milwaukee

Alcott Park: July 4 – The parade assembly marches into Alcott Park at 9:45 a.m., where children will receive free ice cream. There will also be children's crafts and games all day. The fireworks ground display starts at 9:15 p.m.

Enderis Playfield: July 4 – Parades depart from 81st Street School and Mother of Good Counsel Church bright and early at 8:30 a.m., followed by a 9:15 a.m. flag raising ceremony and a 9:45 a.m. music concert. Contests and games continue throughout the day, including a fire department water cannon display and watermelon eating contest.

Gordon Park: July 4 – Gordon Park will celebrate the fourth with a parade at 11 am. followed by a day of live music, children's activities and art projects. The fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.

Humboldt Park: July 4 – The parade starts at 9 a.m. at Kinnickinnic and Linus Street; 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 5:30 p.m. The night closes with an expanded fireworks display at 9:15 p.m.

Jackson Park: July 4 – Children's parade begin at 8:30 a.m. with ice cream at 9 a.m. A flag raising ceremony followed by a poster contest, children's games, and various demonstrations and activities round out the day. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.

Dr. M.L. King, Jr. Park: July 4 – The park hosts a bike decorating contest starting at 10 a.m. followed by a neighborhood talent contest at 11 a.m.

Lake Park: July 4 – Parade from the UWM Union (Maryland Avenue and Kenwood Boulevard.) starts at 9 a.m. with art projects and other activities, like a doll buggy, coaster and tricycle parade, to follow throughout the day. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.

Lincoln Park: July 4 – 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.

Mitchell Park: July 4 –A school parade is held at 9 a.m., with a flag raising in front of the Domes taking place at 10 a.m. Throughout the day, there'll be children's games, contests and a talent show that'll be held at the band stand. The fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.

Noyes Park: July 4 – A parade leaves at 9 a.m., with a flag raising at 9:45 a.m. and ice cream at 10 a.m. Games begin at 10:45 a.m. and fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

Sherman Park: July 4 – The parade leaves from St. Catherine's Church at 9:30 a.m. with ice cream and refreshments at 10:30 a.m. The celebration, which starts at 11:15 a.m. following a ceremony, goes through the day with games and prizes.

Washington Park: July 4 – 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.

Wilson Park: July 4 – 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.

U.S. Bank Fireworks, Veterans Park: July 3 – Fireworks start at dusk, but activities run all day long in Veteran's Park on the lakefront. 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.

Suburbs and beyond

Brookfield: July 4 – A parade for the city begins at 10 a.m. on July 4. The city's annual Ice Cream Social and ceremony follows the parade in the Civic Plaza. Mitchell Park hosts Family Fest from 6 to 9 p.m. with family-oriented activities. The city's fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. in Mitchell Park.

Brown Deer: July 4 – This year's Fourth of July celebration will be held at Village Park and features a hometown parade, live entertainment, a beer tent, food, and a fireworks display.

Butler: July 4 – 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 9:30 a.m.

Cedarburg: July 4 – A community parade starts at 10 a.m. at Firemen's Park and runs south along Washington Avenue. It's followed by festivities at Cedar Creek Park, including music, a daylong picnic, and children's activities. Fireworks light up the sky at 9:30 p.m.

Cudahy: July 4 – Cudahy's parade steps off at noon. At Sheridan Park, a fireworks display will start at dusk.

Delafield: July 4 – A 10 a.m. parade runs from Main Street to Lapham Peak Road, south of the Delafield Legion Post.

Elm Grove: July 4 – In Village Park, there'll be children's games from 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. (Rain date for fireworks July 5, 9:30 p.m.)

Franklin: July 3-5 – The city of Franklin 2014 Civic Celebration features three days of celebration centered at Lions Legend Park, running Thursday 5 p.m.-midnight, Friday 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m., and Saturday noon-11:30 p.m. The celebration features a children's parade at 10:30 a.m. and a main parade at 11 a.m. along Highway 100 and Loomis Road, followed by a day of free ice cream, family activities, and live music. Fireworks are set for July 4 at 9:30 p.m.

Germantown: July 4 – The noon parade begins at Pilgrim Road and travels north on Pilgrim Road to Fond Du Lac Avenue, northwest on Fond Du Lac to Main Street, west on Main Street to Park Avenue and north on Park Avenue to Freistadt Road. A day of food and fun follows at Firemen's Park. Send off the day in style at dusk.

Grafton: June 28 – The Holidaze festival features the largest fireworks display in Ozaukee County at dusk in Lime Kiln Park. The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. in the Grafton High School parking lot, proceeding west down Highway 60 to 17th Ave. south on 17th Ave. to Centennial Park.

Greendale: July 3-5 – The Lions Club will be hosting three days of entertainment in the tent next to the Gazebo in Downtown Greendale. Food and beer will be available, and musical acts include Cold Sweat & Brew City Horns, Bobby Way & Way Outs, Greendale Village Band, Chasin Mason, Ed Franks as Frank Sinatra, Jackie Brown & The Boys, and Rhythm Method. See the website for more details.

Greenfield: July 4 – Just next door, Greenfield rings in the Fourth with a parade at 12:15 p.m. Konkel Park will be the site of a day-long event filled with family fun and live entertainment, ending with fireworks just after dusk.

Hales Corners: July 4 – 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 11 a.m. The "Big Parade" starts at 4 p.m. beginning at 102nd Street and Forest Home Avenue and ending at Village Hall. The "Reds, White and Brew" Community Bash with live music, food, and the Milwaukee Brewers' Racing Sausages. from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. The fireworks go off at dusk in Hales Corners Park.

Hartford: July 4 – Set up along Main Street for the parade at 2 p.m., then swing by Veteran's Memorial Park for entertainment, games, and refreshments. Fireworks start once the sun goes down.

Kenosha: July 4 – Enjoy food, refreshments, and live entertainment at Harbor Park. Fireworks will be launched at 9:30 p.m. at the east end of the park and can be viewed all along Kenosha's lakefront.

Menomonee Falls: July 3 – The Independence Day parade will be held on Wednesday, July 3, followed by fireworks later in the evening.

Muskego: July 3 - Head to Idle Isle Park for fireworks starting at 9:15 p.m.

New Berlin: July 2-4 – New Berlin's festivities run through Wednesday in Malone Park, 2805 S. Casper Dr. The main parade runs along National Avenue. Fireworks start at 10 p.m. A carnival, live entertainment, and games will be around daily.

Oak Creek: July 4 – 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 live entertainment after the parade. Fireworks begin at dusk.

Oconomowoc: July 5 – The parade starts at 4 p.m. starting on Roosevelt Road to Fowler Park. (rain date is scheduled for July 6).

Port Washington: July 4 – Celebrations kick off with an 11 a.m. parade in Downtown Port Washington, followed by an ice cream social, kids games and activities at Veterans Park. Fireworks will be launched along the lakefront at dusk.

Pewaukee: July 4 – Picnic at 1 p.m. followed by a parade at 4 p.m. and a water ski show at 6:45 p.m. Fireworks begin at dusk.

Racine: July 4 – 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 down Main Street. Fireworks finish off the day along the lakefront at dusk.

Saukville: July 4 – The 1 p.m. parade starts at South Main Street and Rebel Road, followed by activities at Grady Park. Stake out a spot for the fireworks at dusk.

Shorewood: July 4 – Live music, food, and activities begin at 6 p.m. at Atwater Park and continue until the fireworks at dusk.

South Milwaukee: July 4 – Grant Park is the site of South Milwaukee's festivities, starting with a children's parade at 10 a.m. and followed by activities, prizes, and ice cream. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.

Sussex: July 4 – Lineup for the kiddie parade begins at 9:15 a.m. The parade marches west on Main Street. Starting at 10 a.m., there will be ice cream and carnival games. Live entertainment begins at 6 p.m. and fireworks will launch at dusk.

Wauwatosa: July 4 – The North Avenue parade begins at 9 a.m. Afternoon and evening events, which include inflatables and rides for the kids, live music and performances in Hart Park, 7300 Chestnut St. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.

Waukesha: July 4 – The parade starts at Cutler Park and travels to Frame Park. The Waukesha County Exposition Center will host the city's fireworks, which begin at dusk.

West Allis: July 4 – A grandstand show featuring live music and a flag ceremony starts at 7:30 p.m. at Wisconsin State Fair Park. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.

West Bend: July 4 – The parade lines up at 9:30 a.m. on Main Street and ends at Regner Park. Enjoy live entertainment, root beer floats, and activities in Regner Park until 4:30 p.m. Move to Riverside Park at dusk to catch the fireworks.

Whitefish Bay: July 4 – Watch the parade en route starting at 11:30 a.m., followed by live music, games, contests, and food vendors in Klode Park. Fireworks start at dusk.