Things were set up and ready for the crowds on Friday as the city of Kenosha kicks off a July 4th long weekend filled with events and entertainment for people of all ages.
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.
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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.
WATCH NOW: Kenosha’s 4th of July festivities in 2021
FOURTH FESTIVITIES
Fireworks light up Kenosha Harbor on July 4.
KENOSHA NEW PICTURE OF SEAN KRAJACIC
POP FOURTH OF JULY

Patrons of a tavern on wheels pedal past Pennoyer Park on the 4th of July.
KENOSHA NEW PICTURE OF SEAN KRAJACIC
FOURTH FESTIVITIES

The lakefront along Kenosha Harbor was full of life on July 4th.
KENOSHA NEW PICTURE OF SEAN KRAJACIC
FOURTH FESTIVITIES

Elissa Werve roasts kids along Kenosha Harbor on July 4th.
KENOSHA NEW PICTURE OF SEAN KRAJACIC
FOURTH FESTIVITIES

Patrons listen to the Smolens Trio along Kenosha Harbor on July 4.
KENOSHA NEW PICTURE OF SEAN KRAJACIC
FOURTH FESTIVITIES

People gather by the lake for the 4th of July fireworks display.
Photos by SEAN KRAJACIC, KENOSHA NEWS
FOURTH FESTIVITIES

People line the harbor before the start of the 4th of July fireworks display.
KENOSHA NEW PICTURE OF SEAN KRAJACIC
FOURTH FESTIVITIES

Fireworks light up Kenosha Harbor on July 4.
KENOSHA NEW PICTURE OF SEAN KRAJACIC
FOURTH FESTIVITIES

Adrianna Di Cello, 8, of Loves Park, Illinois, plays with sparklers by the lake on July 4.
KENOSHA NEW PICTURE OF SEAN KRAJACIC
FOURTH FESTIVITIES

Fireworks light up Kenosha Harbor on July 4.
KENOSHA NEW PICTURE OF SEAN KRAJACIC
FOURTH FESTIVITIES

Fireworks light up Kenosha Harbor on July 4.
KENOSHA NEW PICTURE OF SEAN KRAJACIC
FOURTH FESTIVITIES

Fireworks light up Kenosha Harbor on July 4.
KENOSHA NEW PICTURE OF SEAN KRAJACIC
FOURTH FESTIVITIES

Fireworks light up Kenosha Harbor on July 4.
SEAN KRAJACIC, KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO
HOLIDAY PARTIES
Emma Lundgren, 8, left, and her mother-in-law, Cinnamon Michael, hold on and close their eyes as they ride Re-Mix II in downtown Kenosha on Saturday, July 3, 2021.
SEAN KRAJACIC, Kenosha News
HOLIDAY PARTIES
Young spectators watch dogs jump into a pool during the Dock Dogs Big Air competition in downtown Kenosha on Saturday, July 3, 2021.
SEAN KRAJACIC, Kenosha News
HOLIDAY PARTIES
Jaxon Paskiewicz, 4, plays a game of Plinko to win an award as Kensoha Fire Department’s Guy Santelli looks on during the festivities in downtown Kenosha on Saturday, July 3, 2021.
SEAN KRAJACIC, Kenosha News
HOLIDAY PARTIES
Patrons ride a mid-ride roller coaster as they enjoy holiday festivities in downtown Kenosha on Saturday, July 3, 2021.
SEAN KRAJACIC, Kenosha News
DIVING DOGS
DIVING DOGS
Young spectators watch dogs jump into a pool during the Dock Dogs Big Air competition in downtown Kenosha on Saturday. It was one of many activities and events that kicked off the three-day holiday weekend.
SEAN KRAJACIC, Kenosha News
HOLIDAY PARTIES
John Grimaldi performs as Studebaker John Duo in downtown Kenosha on Saturday, July 3, 2021.
SEAN KRAJACIC, Kenosha News
HOLIDAY PARTIES
On Saturday, throngs of people walk along the harbor between stalls filled with food and merchandise in downtown Kenosha.
SEAN KRAJACIC, Kenosha News
HOLIDAY PARTIES
Brody, a silver lab, jumps in the water after a toy thrown by his owner, Nicole Mueller, during the Dock Dogs Big Air competition in downtown Kenosha on Saturday, July 3, 2021.
SEAN KRAJACIC, Kenosha News
HOLIDAY PARTIES
Fronz Metallo plays sitar along Kenosha Harbor in downtown Kenosha on Saturday, July 3, 2021.
SEAN KRAJACIC, Kenosha News
HOLIDAY PARTIES
Jersey jumps after a toy his owner, Brad Scharfenorth of Elkhorn, throws into the water during the Dock Dogs Big Air competition in downtown Kenosha on Saturday.
SEAN KRAJACIC, Kenosha News
HOLIDAY PARTIES
Brody jumps over 20 feet into a pool during the Dock Dogs Big Air competition in downtown Kenosha on Saturday, July 3, 2021.
SEAN KRAJACIC, Kenosha News
HOLIDAY PARTIES
Crowds of people walk along the harbor between stalls filled with food and merchandise in downtown Kenosha on Saturday, July 3, 2021.
SEAN KRAJACIC, Kenosha News
POP FOURTH OF JULY

Bandleader Craig Gall watches the crowd as he leads the Pops Band at the bandstand in Pennoyer Park on July 4. The group’s July 21 program includes a celebration of women’s suffrage.
KENOSHA NEW PICTURE OF SEAN KRAJACIC
POP FOURTH OF JULY

Liz Snyder plays piccolo while performing with the Pops Band at Pennoyer Park Bandstand on July 4.
KENOSHA NEW PICTURE OF SEAN KRAJACIC
POP FOURTH OF JULY

Bandleader Craig Gall applauds after a song during a Pops Band performance at the bandstand in Pennoyer Park on July 4.
KENOSHA NEW PICTURE OF SEAN KRAJACIC
POP FOURTH OF JULY

The Pops Band plays at Pennoyer Park Bandstand on July 4th.
KENOSHA NEW PICTURE OF SEAN KRAJACIC