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Celebrate America Featuring Fireworks
July 1, 2023
Free
The carnival starts July 1, while the music and entertainment on multiple stages kicks off on July 2, as the City of Kenosha prepares to celebrate Independence Day. A full line-up of entertainment continues through July 4 along the lakefront, highlighted by the Festival Foods Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. on July 4. Pyrotechnics expert The Mad Bomber promises another spectacular show to light up the skies over the lakefront.
Happenings Magazine, Festival Foods, Kenosha County and many community partners join the City of Kenosha to support Celebrate America activities along the harbor.
Hours:
July 2 following the parade: 3:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
July 3: 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
July 4: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
(See July 1-4 Carnival Hours further down)
Look for live music, the Action Territory Kids Zone and vendors north of 54th Street between Sixth Avenue and Second Avenue; and also music and vendors at Veterans Memorial Park, 625 52nd St. Admission is free and open to the public. Food and beverages are available for purchase.
Action Territory Kids Zone (Northeast of 54th Street and Sixth Avenue):
The Action Territory Kids Zone is a new feature this year, with activities such as inflatables and a giant sandbox where kids can dig for quarters and silver dollars. The giant sandbox will be located in a parking lot on the northeast corner of 54th Street and Sixth Avenue. Fees apply for Kids Zone activities.
Celebrate America Schedule of bands July 2-4, 2023:
July 2:
Shoreline Stage (along the harbor near 54th Street and Fourth Ave.):
3:00 p.m. Mix Tape Heroes
5:45 p.m. Party Obvious
8:30 p.m. Yankee Cowboy
Fireworks Stage (at Veterans Memorial Park, 625 52nd St.):
3:30 p.m. Cajual
6:15 p.m. Would You Kindly?
9 p.m. Moe Joe’s Jukebox
July 3:
Shoreline Stage:
3:30 p.m. Flat Creek HWY
6:15 p.m. The Space Echoes
9:00 p.m. Exit 147
Fireworks Stage:
3:00 p.m. Indigo Canyon
5:45 p.m. Roundabouts
8:30 p.m. My Metal Heart
July 4:
Shoreline Stage:
12:30 p.m. Ecolimes
3:15 p.m. Mitch The Lip and Side Hustle
5:00 p.m. Kicked out of Choir
7:45 p.m. EZ-FM w/ Diva Montell
Fireworks Stage:
1:00 p.m. Kids From Wisconsin
4:00 p.m. Trolley Dogs Hot Dog Eating Contest
5:00 p.m. Jessie’s Girl
7:45 p.m. Boys and Toys
Carnival July 1-4:
Rainbow Valley Carnival features an assortment of rides and fun. The carnival is located between 54th Street and 55th Street, west of Sixth Avenue. Fees apply.
Carnival Hours:
July 1, July 2, July 3: Noon to 10 p.m.
July 4: Noon to 8 p.m.
Getting Around:
Due to the high volume of traffic resulting from all of the festivities, people should be aware of road closings and traffic adjustments. Seventh Avenue is closed between 54th Street and 55th Street through July 4 for setup and operation of the Rainbow Valley Carnival, along with a parking lot east of that area.
Beginning at noon on June 30, traffic will be directed one way only in a counter-clockwise loop east of Third Avenue, between 54th and 56th Streets, along Calabria Way and continuing to Eighth Avenue. Sixth Avenue will be closed between 52nd Street and 54th Street; and also between 54th Street and 55th Street until 1 a.m. July 5. Beginning at 4 p.m. on July 1, 54th Street also will be closed between Fifth and Eighth Avenues and westbound traffic will be redirected.
On July 4, there will be no access to the east end of Celebration Place for pedestrians or vehicles, as it is closed for safety purposes for the fireworks display. No traffic will be allowed between 8:30 and 10 p.m. on July 4, east of Third Avenue between 56th Street and 54th Street, including around Calabria Way. The road closure is prompted by safety concerns related to traffic in that area leading up to and during the Festival Foods Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
RV Parking:
Due to heavy traffic in the HarborPark area on July 4, RVs will be directed to park in a less congested area. The vacant lot west of City Hall, 625 52nd St., has been designated for RV parking in marked parking spots, after 6 a.m. on July 4. The lot may be accessed from 54th Street, east of Sheridan Road. All vehicles must vacate the area by 7 a.m. on July 5.
No vehicle access to Simmons Island July 4:
Consistent with the last several years, and at the direction of Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton, there will be no vehicle access or parking on Simmons Island on July 4 for the general public. The roadway will be barricaded at 50th Street and Seventh Avenue and also at Kennedy Drive and 45th Street. This is being done to increase safety and enhance the event for Simmons Island visitors.
People are still welcome to access Simmons Island by walking to and from the park. Barricades will be staffed and vehicle access will be restricted. Only residents of Fourth Avenue, the Coast Guard, and those with business at the Kenosha Water Utility, Great Lakes Yacht Sales and Kenosha Yacht Club will be allowed on the island.
Kennedy Drive will follow a one-way traffic pattern northbound on July 4, beginning at 8 a.m. One-way traffic will flow north beginning at 44th Street, continuing through Kennedy Park and Pennoyer Park, and exiting at 35th Street. The one-way traffic pattern is designed to help avoid congestion after the fireworks and will end at 1 a.m. July 5.
Free shuttles and streetcars on July 4:
People are encouraged to park downtown – including the parking ramp on Eighth Avenue and 56th Street – and ride a free shuttle or streetcar to points of interest. The rubber tired trolley will not be running its regular lakefront route on July 4. Instead, the trolley will shuttle people free of charge between the transit center and Carthage College, via Seventh Avenue, Alford Park Drive and Sheridan Road. Hours of operation are 2 to 11 p.m. July 4.
Another free shuttle service offers access to Simmons Island on July 4. The Simmons Island shuttle operates from 2 to 11 p.m. in a 15-minute loop from the transit center, 724 54th St., to a drop off point at Simmons Island Park.
Free streetcar service will operate from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 4, passing the HarborPark area east of the museums (popular for fireworks viewing) and along the harbor, where the Celebrate America festival is taking place.
