Eyes to the sky! The start of the Union Grove Fourth of July Parade will be signified by skydivers from Skydive Midwest parachuting down with patriotic colors and trailing smoke.
They are scheduled to land in Schoolyard Park at the corner of 14th Avenue and State Street (one block east of Union Grove Auto Parts on Main Street.)
The Star Spangled Banner will be sung in three locations: Village Square on Main Street at 10th Avenue; the corner of Highways 45 and 11, where the parade will be videotaped; and the Racine County Fairgrounds parking lot, followed by a rifle salute by American Legion Post 171.
The Independence Day parade steps off at 9:15 a.m. from the fairgrounds on Highway 11 and travels to the parking lot of Union Grove Union High School on Highway 45.
It is led by area veterans’ organizations. Small American flags will be given to children along the parade route.
This year’s theme is “Made in America” and fifth-to eighth-graders in area schools were invited to submit an essay on the theme.
The essay contest winners will be honored by riding in the parade. They are: eighth grade, Jenny Bauer of Raymond School, (runner up, Hannah Bounds, Union Grove Elementary School); seventh grade, Catie Carnick (runner up, Courtney Piotrowski), both of Union Grove Elementary School; and sixth grade – Mackenzie Geschke, Raymond School. They also received a $25 gift card.
Some entries gave reasons for buying American-made products, others wrote about uniquely American inventions like the flashlight, camera and Ferris wheel.
Jenny Bauer wrote, “Buying American-made products will show our patriotism and decrease the unemployment rate…Will one let jobs be taken from their friends and neighbors by buying products from other countries or will one buy American?”
Thirteen floats will depict either this year’s theme or a patriotic theme. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three floats and honorable mentions.
New this year is the appearance of the Junior Lighthouse Brigade of Racine, which is directed by Alex Vincer, band director at the high school.
Popular returning entries include the Belle City Brassworks Band, Jamit Duo, Bo-Mar Buggies and the Jolly Giant Stilt Walkers.
Members of South East Wisconsin Antique Power And Collectibles will drive restored antique tractors in the parade.
Kiddie Parade
A unique feature of the Union Grove parade is a Kiddie Parade of decorated tricycles, bicycles, scooters, wagons and other non-motorized vehicles. It precedes the main parade at 9 a.m. and travels two blocks from 12th and Main to the Village Square at 10th and Main.
Parents are asked to register their children, ages 3 to 11, at North Shore Bank, 1101 Main St., where they will be given a free bike decorating kit.
Participants should assemble in the parking lot of Accelerated Rehabilitation Center at 1201 Main Street by 8:45 a.m., July 4. Small children must be accompanied by a parent or other responsible person.
The parade is sponsored by the Bixby-Hansen American Legion Post 171 and the Greater Union Grove Area Chamber of Commerce.
For more information or to make a donation toward the parade expenses contact Jennifer Ditscheit at [email protected] or (262) 878-4606.
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