Independence Day festivities offer something for everyone
Everybody loves a parade – especially when it’s the 175th (Dodransbicentennial) anniversary Independence Day celebration in the Village of Union Grove.
The 2013 parade is sponsored by the Bixby-Hansen American Legion Post 171 and the Greater Union Grove Area Chamber of Commerce.
It travels from the Racine County Fairgrounds on Highway 11 to the parking lot of Union Grove High School on Highway 45.
On Thursday, July 4, this year’s pre-parade starts at 9 a.m. for children ages 3-11 to show off their decorated tricycles, bicycles, scooters, wagons and other non-motorized vehicles.
Boy Scout Troop 350 members and Union Grove High School Key Club walkers will hand out 1,400 free small American flags free to all kids, courtesy of the Kansasville VFW.
Preregistered kids in the Kiddie Parade line up at 8:45 a.m. at Talmer Bank and Trust parking lot, and travel two blocks to Village Square Park. Small children must be with an parent or other responsible person.
Singing of the Star Spangled Banner, a rifle salute by American Legion Post 171 and release of red, white and blue balloons heralds the start of the parade.
This year’s Fourth of July grand parade features at least 84 units, with a great mix of bands; military marchers; tractors, antique cars and military vehicles; giant stilt walkers; pageant winners; the Great Lakes Naval Academy’s Sailor Recruits Drill Team; Enve All Star Cheer Team; and beautiful horses.
Plenty of floats will be on hand for judging, including those by Providence Catholic School, Dead Mann’s Saloon, Home Again Restaurant, Yorkville United Methodist Church, Al’s Garage Door Service, Shepherds Ministries, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Union Grove Baptist Church, Union Grove Congregational Church, Union Grove High School Trap Team, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 4H Racine County Dog Project and Fink Family Farms.
Parade videotape will be broadcast on Cable Channel 25 in Union Grove on Friday, July 19 and Monday, July 22.
• Later on the Fourth, everyone is welcome to head over to Village Park in downtown Waterford for a double-header extravaganza of free River Rhythms outdoor concerts on the banks of the Fox River.
At 4 p.m., the three-member Group Therapy performs, blending elements of soul, funk, reggae, R&B and guitar-heavy rock with the blues.
Around 6:30 p.m., jazz keyboardist Dan Trudell and the River Rhythms All Stars take the stage. Food for the Fourth concerts will be sold by Café 213.
• The annual Tichigan Lake fireworks display goes up at dusk on Saturday, July 6. Arrive by boat, by car or on foot to enjoy a fun, dazzling show.
-
-
-
-
-