Everything you need to know about Fourth of July in Milwaukee and the suburbs

Put on your red, white and blue, bust out the bike decorations and prepare to party like it's 1776. 

Here's where to celebrate the Fourth of July in the suburbs of Milwaukee with parades, fireworks and festivals. 

MILWAUKEE COUNTY

Bayside

Things kick off in Bayside with a parade at 9 a.m. starting from Bayside Middle School, 601 E. Ellsworth Lane. 

After the parade, the village will host a dog costume contest in Ellsworth Park, 600 E. Ellsworth Lane.

Brown Deer

Enjoy the Brown Deer Blast on the Fourth with an entire day of fun and festivities.

The Brown Deer pond, 4920 W. Green Brook Drive, is open from noon to 5 p.m. and a beer tent will also be available at Village Park, 4920 W. Green Brook Drive, from 1 to 10 p.m.

The Fourth of July parade starts at 1:30 p.m. at Brown Deer Elementary School, 5757 W. Dean Road, and ends at Village Park, 4920 W. Green Brook Drive. Plenty of fun activities will greet guests at the park, including a corn roast and picnic, a children's ice cream party, bingo, an inflatable super slide and the Eddie Butts Band. 
Fireworks will finish off the festivities at 9:30 p.m.

Cudahy

If you want to sleep in on July 4, you can still make it to Cudahy's parade. 

It starts at noon at Grange and Packard Avenues and ends at Sheridan Park, 4800 S. Lake Drive, Cudahy.

An opening ceremony follows the parade. 

There will be cheer and dance performances, along with magic and musical acts. 

If you get hungry, food will be available for purchase from the Cudahy Lions Club next to the pavilion at the park.

Fireworks finish off the celebration at about 9:20 p.m. 

For more information, visit bit.ly/cudahyfourthofjuly. 

Franklin

The Fourth of July isn't just a one-day celebration in Franklin. But we'll start there. 

Children can decorate their bikes and wagons in patriotic colors for a children's parade at 10:30 a.m. Participants should gather in the parking lot of the police department, 9455 W. Loomis Road, by 10 a.m.

The main parade starts at West Loomis Road and Forest Hill Avenue at 11 a.m.

The Franklin Civic Celebration at Lions Legend Park, Loomis Road and Drexel Avenue, runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 4. 

There will be carnival and helicopter rides, food, free kids face painting, a performance from the Wisconsin Marching Band and other shows. 

A fireworks display is at 9:30 p.m. 

The celebration actually kicks off from 5 to 11 p.m. July 2. On July 3, it's open from 4 to 11 p.m.

There are no carnival rides July 2. 

For a complete event schedule, visit bit.ly/franklinfourthofjuly. 

Glendale

Two parades kick things off in Glendale on July 4, and a day of fun follows.

The children's parade officially starts the day at 10 a.m. with the main parade to follow at 10:30. Both start from Parkway Elementary School, 5910 N. Milwaukee River Parkway. 

Glendale's Fourth of July festival follows at Kletzsch Park, 6560 N. Milwaukee River, Parkway, with food, bingo, bounce houses, a crawl maze and even a children's talent show. Live music includes Pat McCurdy at 2:30 p.m. and Oil Can Harry at 5:30. 

Fireworks will put a stamp on the day at dusk.

Greendale

Greendale doesn't just have a Fourth of July celebration, it has a five-day festival with amusement rides, games, live music, food and a craft wine and beer tent.

It runs from 4 to 11 p.m. July 3, 6 and 7; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 4; and 4 to 10 p.m. July 5 in historic downtown Greendale on Broad Street. 

July Fourth festivities include a parade at 10 a.m. and fireworks at dusk. 

The Greendale Lions Club, which sponsors the Greendale Family Fourth Fest, will put on a fish fry from 4 to 8 p.m. July 6.

For a schedule of events, visit bit.ly/greendalefourth.

Greenfield 

Don't worry about rushing to get the kids up, dressed and smothered in sunscreen the morning of July 4.

The Greenfield parade starts at 12:15 p.m. 

It begins at South 68th Street and West Layton Avenue and continues east on Layton Avenue to Konkel Park, 5151 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield. 

Get out the red, white and blue art supplies and decorations. Children ages 4-12 can enter their decorated bikes into a contest. Judging and the presentation of medals will be at 11:30 a.m. at Shorewest Realtors, South 68th Street and Layton Avenue. 

Contestants accompanied by adults are welcome to show off their bikes in the parade. 

Keep the celebration going at Konkel Park all day with music from the University of Wisconsin Marching Band, Liquid Crush and The Cheap Shots.

There will also be Mini Miss, Little Miss and Junior Miss Greenfield pageants, and a family-friendly kid zone. 

If you or the kids party up an appetite, food vendors will be on the grounds. 

The day wraps up with fireworks at 9:45 p.m. 

For more information, visit bit.ly/greenfieldfourth. 

Hales Corners

It's the 40th anniversary of the Firecracker 4 run/walk.

The race starts at 8 a.m. July 4 at Hales Corners Park, 5765 S. New Berlin Road. 

The 4-mile run is $15 for participants 17 and younger, $20 for Badgerland Striders members and $25 for nonmembers online through 11:59 p.m. June 28. The 1.7-mile run/walk is $15 for participants 17 and younger and Badgerland Striders members, and $20 for nonmembers.

It's $30 for the 4-mile and $25 for the 1.7-mile with late online registration, which starts at midnight June 29 and runs through 11:59 p.m. July 3. 

Registration starts at 6:45 a.m. the day of the race and is $30 for the 4-mile and $25 for the 1.7-mile with cash or check. 

To register, visit bit.ly/firecracker4. 

Because of Highway 100 construction, this year's parade route has been altered. 

It will begin at Janesville Road and 110th Street at 4 p.m. and will travel west. It turns onto 116th Street at the Hales Corners Public Library and concludes at village hall, 5635 S. New Berlin Road. 

Fireworks are at dusk at Hales Corners Park.

A children's parade is at 9 a.m. at Hales Corners Elementary, 11319 W. Godsell Ave., Hales Corners. 

For more information, visit halescorners.org. 

Milwaukee

Milwaukee plays host to a number of Fourth of July celebrations and activities in parks throughout the area to celebrate Independence Day.

Fun begins at Alcott Park, 3751 S. 97th St., at 9:45 a.m. with a flag-raising ceremony following at 10:30. A number of activities, including balloons, crafts and kids tattoos, run from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and a fireworks display starts at 9:15 p.m.

At Enderis Playfield, 2978 N. 72nd St., things kick off even earlier. A parade starts from Mother of Good Counsel Church, 6924 W. Lisbon Ave., and a flag-raising ceremony will follow at 9:15 a.m. Americana trivia starts at 9:30 a.m. with contests, games and more at 10. A watermelon-eating contest starts at 11 a.m., and a water balloon contest at 11:30 along with a Milwaukee Fire Department water cannon display.

Celebrate the Fourth at Gordon Park, 2828 N. Humboldt Blvd., with a parade starting at 11 a.m. from Fratney and Burleigh streets. Live music, art projects and activities for children run from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.

Enjoy a full day of fun at Humboldt Park, 3000 S. Howell Ave., starting with a parade which kicks off from South Kinnickinnic Avenue and East Linus Street at 9 a.m. Contests for doll buggies, tricycles and bicycles will follow at noon along with a donut and donut hole-eating contest at 12:15 p.m. More activities will follow all afternoon and evening until fireworks at 9:15 p.m. 

Things kick off for festivities in Jackson Park, 3500 W. Forest Home Ave., with a parade assembling at the St. Gregory parking lot at 60th Street and Oklahoma Avenue. The procession begins at 8:30 a.m. and a number of fun activities will follow in the park throughout the morning. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. 

Enjoy roller skating, a picnic and a talent contest all starting at 11:30 a.m. at the Dr. M.L. King Center, 1531 W. Vliet St.

Celebrate at Lake Park, 3233 E. Kenwood Blvd., with a number of Independence Day activities. Things start with parades from both Hartford University School, 2227 E. Hartford Ave., and Maryland Avenue Montessori School, 2418 N. Maryland Ave., at 9 a.m. Ice cream and games will follow the parade, and a talent contest starts at noon. Music starts at 8 p.m., and fireworks will fill the sky starting at 9:15.

Enjoy parades starting from three locations and ending at Mitchell Park, 2600 W. Pierce St. The locations are at National Avenue and Fourth Street, at Mitchell and 23rd streets and at Scott and 30th streets. Games and activities will follow at the park including a pie eating contest. Fireworks start at 9:15.

Festivities at Noyes Park, 8235 W. Good Hope Road, include a parade starting at 9 a.m., ice cream, awards for float, bicycle and coaster wagon decorations and games. Fireworks are set for 9:15 p.m.

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Gathering for the Sherman Park parade starts at St. Catherine's Church at 52nd and Center streets. The procession kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with free ice cream and refreshments to follow at the park, 3000 N. Sherman Blvd. There will be a ceremony at 11 a.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance and a contest for the best decorated bicycle and tricycle at 11:15 a.m. with games to follow.

Celebrate the Fourth of July at Washington Park at North 40th Street and Galena Street starting at 11 a.m. with a flag-raising ceremony. Games start at 1 p.m. as well as a decorated doll buggy and coaster wagon contest at 3. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.

Independence Day activities hosted in Wilson Park, 1601 W. Howard Ave., include two parades starting from the Harris Bank parking lot, 3131 S. 13th St., and Wilson Park Recreation, 3900 S. 20th St. The Milwaukee Flyers will put on a tumbling performance at 10 a.m. followed by food and children's activities. Live music and a DJ run all day, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.

The Milwaukee Lakefront Fireworks start at about 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, at Veterans Park, 1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, but there's plenty more to the day as well, including a kite festival.

Those who want to celebrate the Fourth can also check out fireworks at 9:15 p.m. at Lincoln Park, 1301 W. Hampton Ave.

Oak Creek

The Oak Creek Fourth of July parade starts at 9 a.m. at the corner of Groveland and Verdev drives. It finishes at American Legion Post 434, 9327 S. Shepard Ave., Oak Creek, where the celebration will continue. 

Fireworks are shot off at dusk. 

Shorewood

Things kick off in Shorewood at 3 p.m. with the traditional Fourth of July parade.

The parade starts from Oakland Avenue and Kensington Boulevard and proceeds south to Oakland and Edgewood Avenue.

The fun continues at 5:30 p.m. at Atwater Park at Capitol Drive and Lake Drive with entertainment and food.

Fireworks are set to follow at 9:15 p.m.

South Milwaukee

South Milwaukeeans, head to Grant Park Picnic Area 5 for festivities starting at 10 a.m. July 4.

For the kiddos, there will be a bike and costume parade with judging, races and a bouncy house.

For adults, there's the Milwaukee County Traveling Beer Garden. 

And there's food for all. 

Chow down on complimentary hot dogs, popcorn, water, Cracker Jacks and ice cream at the Mayor's Picnic at 11:30 a.m. 

Delta V and the Pop Rockets will be performing at 1 p.m. and MIAW outdoor wrestling is at 2 p.m. 

Fireworks shoot off at 9:30 p.m. 

For more information, visit smwi.org.

St. Francis

Hear live music and witness a danceoff at Milton Vretenar Memorial Park, 4230 S. Kirkwood Ave., St. Francis.

The parade starts at 10 a.m. July 4, with an opening ceremony at 11.

Activities in the park run from 11 a.m. until fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

Wauwatosa

Get ready for "A Very Tosa Fourth," because that's the theme of Wauwatosa's parade this year. 

It begins at 9 a.m. at 80th Street and North Avenue and proceeds west to 104th Street. 

Fireworks will start at dusk at Hart Park, 7300 W. Chestnut St., Wauwatosa. 

For more information, visit bit.ly/tosafourth.

West Allis

West Allis is getting a head start on celebrating the holiday. 

The parade is at 7 p.m. July 2.

It starts at 77th Street and Greenfield Avenue, travels east to 70th Street, goes south on 70th Street and ends at Veterans Memorial Park, West National Avenue and South 70th Street. 

Kids can decorate their bikes and wagons and enter a children's spirit competition. It's at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 7525 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis.

A family-friendly parade festival with music, games and food goes from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. 

Fireworks are at 9:30 p.m. July 4 at the Milwaukee Mile at State Fair Park, 640 S. 84th St., West Allis. A grand stand show is beforehand at 8:30 p.m. with a flag presentation and Elvis impersonator. 

The theme this year is "Independence Day the West Allis Way."

Whitefish Bay

Get ready for a full day of fun and patriotism in Whitefish Bay.

Festivities get started at 11:30 a.m. with the Fourth of July parade getting under way from Kent Avenue and Silver Spring Drive.

Most of the day's fun takes place at Klode Park, 5900 N. Lake Drive, including food, games and music. 

Fireworks start at about 9:30 p.m.

OZAUKEE COUNTY

Cedarburg

Cedarburg's Fourth of July parade starts at 10 a.m. in downtown Cedarburg.

The fun continues with plenty of games and activities at Cedar Creek Park, N55 W6079 Portland Road, and it all leads up to fireworks at dusk.

Grafton

Festivities for the Fourth get an early start in Grafton as well with the celebration coming in conjunction with Grillin' in Grafton.

The fun runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 29, and noon until the end of fireworks on Saturday, June 30, at Centennial Park, 1370 17th Ave.

Highlights of Grillin' in Grafton include live music, a Kansas City barbecue competition, bingo and more. 

The Grafton Fourth of July parade starts at 11 a.m. from Grafton High School, 1950 Washington Street, and proceeds to Centennial Park. Fireworks are at dusk.

Mequon/Thiensville

It's never too early to start celebrating the Fourth of July.

Get an early jump on things with the annual Family Fun Before the Fourth event. 

The day kicks off at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 30, with a parade starting from Weyenberg Library, 11345 N. Cedarburg Road, Mequon.

Most of the festivities for Before the Fourth take place at Thiensville Village Park, 250 Elm Street, Thiensville, including a gymnastics show, water ski show and much more.

Fireworks will be lit at dusk.

Port Washington

Fireworks over Lake Michigan culminate a day of fun in Port Washington.

Things kick off at 11 a.m. July 4 in downtown Port Washington with a parade, followed by games and activities at Veterans Memorial Park, 430 N. Lake St.

Fireworks will be launched at dusk over the Port Washington lakefront.

Saukville

Enjoy a Fourth of July parade in Saukville starting from Main Street and Rebel Road at 1 p.m.

Two different sets of activities and games are set to follow, including at Grady Park, 110 W. Dekora St., immediately after the parade until 4 p.m. Then, the fun moves over to Peninsula Park on East Clay Street.

Fireworks will finish the evening at dusk.

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Germantown

It's an all-day affair of patriotism and fun in Germantown.

The Fourth of July parade starts from Pilgrim Road and Sylvan Circle at noon.

Meanwhile, and throughout the day, activities include food, games and entertainment starting at 11 a.m. at Firemen's Park, W162 N11870 Park Ave.

Fireworks start at about 9:30 p.m.

Waukesha County

Big Bend

The eighth annual Rumble by the River Truck and Tractor Pull runs July 13-14 at Big Bend Village Park. 

A classic car show runs from 4 to 9 p.m. July 13. The cost is $10 for pre-registered vehicles and $12 at the door. Judging is done by spectators, participants and sponsors. 

The Big Bend Fire Department's Friday night fish fry runs from 4 to 9:30 p.m. The Crisis will be performing at 7 p.m.

Fireworks will be shot off at 9:30 p.m.

The truck and tractor pull starts at 5 p.m. July 14. Gates open at 2 p.m. Bella Cain performs at 7:30 p.m.

For the schedule, visit bit.ly/rumblebytheriver. 

Brookfield

The parade starts at 10 a.m. and travels from Gebhardt Road to Calhoun Road to North Avenue to Norhardt Drive. 

An ice cream social follows at the Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road, Brookfield.

There will be a flag-raising ceremony and entertainment. 

A pre-fireworks family fest runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at Mitchell Park, 19900 River Road, Brookfield.

There will be games, activities, giant bouncing inflatables, free face painting, stilt walkers and food. 

The fireworks display starts at about 9:17 p.m. at the park. 

For more information, visit bit.ly/brookfieldfourth. 

Delafield

Festivities kick off in Delafield with a parade at 10 a.m. from the parking lot of the Delafield Fish Hatchery Building, 417 Main St. That procession will head to the American Legion Post, 333 N. Lapham Peak Road.

At the legion, ice cream and hot dogs and refreshments will be available and a Fourth of July ceremony will be held.

At night, fireworks will start at about 9 p.m. over Lake Nagawicka. Recommended viewing locations include Naga-waukee Park and Beach and Saint John's Park.

Elm Grove

The Fourth of July is a full-day affair with Elm Grove's July Fourth Family Fun Fest.

It starts with a run/walk outside the Elm Grove Public Library, 13600 Juneau Blvd., Elm Grove, at 9 a.m. Registration and warmups start at 8:30 a.m.

A bike decorating contest is at the Elm Grove Fire Department at 11:30 a.m. 

The rest of the day is filled with activities such as carnival games, crafts and face painting from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., a basketball shootout for those 9 and older at 1:30 p.m. and an all-ages water balloon toss at 3:30 p.m. 

The national anthem and fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.

Hartland

There's a full weekend full of celebration in conjunction with the Fourth of July in Hartland.

The Hartland Hometown Celebration Weekend runs June 29-July 1 at Nixon Park, 175 E. Park Ave. 

Highlights of the weekend include fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Friday night, a 5K run/walk at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and a parade at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

Menomonee Falls

Fourth of July eve is the time to celebrate in Menomonee Falls.

Things get started with a parade starting from Appleton Avenue and Elm Lane at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 3. 

Fireworks will follow the parade starting at dusk at Menomonee Falls High School, N80 W14350 Titan Drive.

Muskego

Witness a human pyramid, trick skiers and jump ramps July 3. 

The Water Bugs Show Ski Team will put on a water ski show at 6 p.m. at Idle Isle Park, W182S6666 Hardtke Drive, Muskego. 

"It's somewhat of an acrobatics show on water," said Sara Planton, Muskego Water Bugs vice president.

Their theme this year is "Behind the Skiing: A journey through 60 years of show skiing, drama and music," since the organization is celebrating its 60th year. 

If you get hungry, food from Matty's Bar and Grille will be available for purchase. 

The night will be capped off with fireworks at about 9:20 p.m. 

For more information on the organization and its free Wednesday night summer shows, visit waterbugs.org. 

New Berlin

It's the 50th annual New Berlin Fourth of July Family Festival. 

The celebration kicks off at 5 p.m. July 2 at Malone Park, with a carnival, trivia and live music. 

There will be a cornhole tournament, pie bake-off, family games and activities, a flashlight candy hunt and live music July 3. 

July 4 starts off with a mini parade in the city hall parking lot at 9:30 a.m. for children 11 and younger with decorated bikes, tricycles and wagons. Participants should line up at 9 a.m.

The main parade starts at 1 p.m. at National Avenue and Coffee Road. 

Fireworks shoot off at 10 p.m. in Malone Park. 

Registration forms for activities like the cornhole tournament and bake-off can be found at bit.ly/newberlinfourth, along with a schedule of events.

Oconomowoc

Fourth of July festivities get started early out in Oconomowoc.

The parade starts at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 30, in downtown Oconomowoc. The procession will eventually end up at Fowler Park, 438 N. Oakwood Ave. Fun activities, entertainment and refreshments will follow at Fowler Park, including fireworks at dusk.

Okauchee

Enjoy a parade of a different sort on Okauchee Lake as the Venetian Night Lighted Boat Parade kicks off festivities at 8:30 p.m. July 4.

Following the parade, fireworks will be fired over the lake at about 9:30 p.m.

Pewaukee

Things kick off in Pewaukee with a parade starting at 3 p.m. from Pewaukee High School, 510 Lake St., and ending at Pewaukee Kiwanis Village Park, 325 Capitol Drive.

Festivities for the Fourth continue at Lakefront Park, 222 W. Wisconsin Ave., with a ton of fun activities, including a show from the Pewaukee Lake Water Ski Club at 6 p.m. 

Live music runs from 7 to 9:15 p.m. with fireworks to be launched starting at 9:30.

Sussex

A kiddie parade kicks off the Fourth of July in Sussex at 9:30 a.m. starting from Sussex Village Hall, N64 W23760 Main St. 

Activities and games will follow the parade at Village Park, W244 N6125 Weaver Drive.

Fireworks in Village Park start at 9:20 p.m.

Waukesha

#StarsandStripes is the theme of Waukesha's July Fourth celebration.

The parade begins at 11 a.m.; line-up is at Cutler Park, 321 Wisconsin Ave., Waukesha. 

Children are invited to decorate their bikes, trikes, buggies, wagons and themselves, and can line up with their parents at the park at 10 a.m. 

The Trojan Thunder Formation Demo Team will do a flyover. 

Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. at the Waukesha County Expo Center, 1000 Northview Road, Waukesha. The grounds open at 6 p.m. 

For more information, visit bit.ly/waukeshafourth. 

There are no events in the town or village of Mukwonago, the town or village of Eagle, North Prairie or Vernon.