Kenosha gears up for 4th of July weekend with events and entertainment for the whole family | Local News

Throughout the weekend, the Rainbow Valley Carnival will be in operation, with a variety of rides located between 54th Street and 55th Street west of Sixth Avenue.

The music and entertainment will begin on Saturday, with a full lineup of shows continuing through Monday.

Downtown in the HarborPark neighborhood, the festival features live music on the HarborPark stages, as well as Dock Dogs pier jumping contests and vendors. Dogs are encouraged by their owners to jump off a dock and into a pool to fetch their favorite toys. Dock Dogs registration and practice begins at 4 p.m. July 2, 3 p.m. July 3, and 11 a.m. July 4, with performances beginning an hour later each day. All dogs are welcome.

The festival takes place at the harbor along 54th Street between Sixth Avenue and Second Avenue. Celebrate America is open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday and Monday.

The Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 First Ave., and the Civil War Museum, 5400 First Ave., are open Saturday through Monday. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays noon to 5 p.m. On July 4, both museums will be open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

On Saturday, the Civil War Museum is hosting a free concert beginning at 1 p.m. The Harmony Cornet Band uses instruments dating from 1860 to 1910 to “recreate the sounds of our priceless 19th century heritage,” museum officials said. The band members dress in period clothing and perform at the museum of that period. The concert will take place outside the museum; move inside if the weather is bad.

The annual Firecracker 10K and 5K Run/Walk begins Sunday morning at Library Park, 60th Street and Eighth Avenue. The 10k run and 5k run/walk will both start at 8:30 a.m. There is also a fun 1 mile run.

Outdoor Mass is at 10 a.m. Sunday on the group’s shell at Pennoyer Park, 35th Street and 7th Avenue. Music starts at 9:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome. Benches are available; visitors can also bring lawn chairs.

The Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade kicks off at 1 p.m. Sunday. The parade follows a new route, departing from Washington Road and Seventh Avenue. The parade moves south on Seventh Avenue, then Sixth Avenue through the downtown core, ending at Library Park. This year’s theme is “America the Beautiful”.

“We’re looking forward to having the parade again this year,” said Kris Kochman, the community relations liaison for the city.

The Navy Band Great Lakes will lead this year’s parade, which will feature 11 floats competing for ribbons and the “Best in Show” trophy.

“It’s good to have our bands back,” Kochman said.

On Monday, the Kenosha Pops Concert Band plays its annual pre-fireworks concert of patriotic favorites on the band’s shell in Pennoyer Park, starting at 4 p.m. Live music at Pennoyer Park’s shell continues at 7 p.m. with Yesterday’s Children, leading up to the fireworks show. The Kenosha City Fireworks are launched east of Celebration Place, near the Downtown museum campus, beginning at 9:30 p.m.

“I encourage everyone to come out to celebrate Independence Day,” Kochman said.