by Tim Froberg
Fabulous Fireworks to Light Up Local Skies
Birthdays become lesser events as people age, but Independence Day is a completely different matter.
We celebrate America’s birthday in grand fashion each year on July 4 with celebrations across our nation that include parades, barbecues, festivals, and fireworks.
The United States is turning a spry 249 this year and Uncle Sam loves a good party. So, enjoy your day off from work. Just remember why you have the day off. The Fourth of July is a federal holiday, bringing family, friends, and community members together to commemorate America’s independence after breaking away from British rule in 1776.
It is also considered to be a celebration of summer across America. The Fourth of July falls smack-dab in the middle of the warmest of the four seasons and we should enjoy it because everyone knows time moves at warp speed after the Fourth. Blink a few times and suddenly Labor Day is here and that seemingly endless summer is approaching the finish line.
According to polls conducted by Harris and YouGov, the Fourth of July is ranked by Americans as their second favorite holiday behind Christmas … and for good reason. Everyone loves barbecues, cold drinks, 80-degree weather, and spectacular fireworks shows. The Fourth also provides an opportunity for everyone in our sharply divided nation to agree on one thing: America is awesome.
So, slip on your red, white, and blue party shoes, fellow Cheeseheads, and make sure Old Glory is waving from your front porch.
Here’s a brief look at the Fourth of July. Allow me to play U.S. history professor and drop in a few fun facts about our nation’s birthday and those IFOs (identified flying objects) known as fireworks. I will also have updates on where to go and what to do on this festive holiday.
Did Ya Know?
- The actual vote to approve a resolution of independence from Great Britain by the original 13 colonies took place on July 2, 1776. The final wording was approved two days later, and the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4. It initially began as a letter to King George explaining why the colonies were declaring independence from Great Britain.
- The first Independence Day was actually celebrated July 8, 1776 in Philadelphia. The White House didn’t celebrate Independence Day until 1804.
- Thomas Jefferson, who eventually became our country’s third president, wrote the majority of the Declaration of Independence. He drafted the statement between June 11-28 and submitted it to John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, who made some revisions before submitting it to the Continental Congress. Jefferson was 33 when he wrote the Declaration of Independence.
- The first of the 54 delegates to sign the Declaration of Independence was John Hancock and he signed it with a large, bold signature. That’s why his name is dropped when someone tells you to “put your John Hancock” on a document.
- George Washington is regarded as one of our nation’s founding fathers, but the first U.S. president didn’t actually sign the Declaration of Independence. He was the commander of the Continental Army and was defending New York City in July of 1776. Washington read the Declaration to his troops five days later on July 9.
The Big Bang-Boom Theory
A Fourth of July without fireworks just isn’t a Fourth of July.
These amazing aerial displays never seem to get old, but fireworks are actually quite old.
Historians say that fireworks originated in ancient China dating back to 200 BC. It is believed the first natural firecrackers were bamboo stalks that would explode with a bang when thrown into a fire – due to the overheating of the hollow air pockets in the bamboo.
The firecracker-fireworks phenomenon was taken up a notch when Chinese alchemists mixed potassium nitrate, sulfur, and charcoal to produce the first gunpowder. The powder was poured into hollowed out bamboo sticks (and later stiff paper tubes) to form the first man-made fireworks. The Chinese believed fireworks warded off evil spirits but also used them to celebrate weddings, births, and important events. They were eventually launched for entertainment in China’s imperial court.
Fireworks made their way to Europe in the 13th century and were used for religious festivals and public entertainment by the 15th century. Famed Italian explorer Marco Polo was fascinated with fireworks and brought them from China to his home in Venice, Italy in his travels around 1292. Italy eventually became the first European country to manufacture fireworks. Various European rulers used fireworks to illuminate their castles, flaunt their riches, and entertain visitors on important occasions.
- Queen Elizabeth I of England was so enamored with fireworks that she created the title “Fire Master of England” to recognize the best fireworks creators. Early U.S. settlers brought fireworks to the new nation, and they were part of the first Independence Day celebration in Philly in 1776.
- Currently, all but three U.S. states – Massachusetts, Delaware, and Ohio – allow consumer fireworks.
- Consumers spend roughly $662 million on fireworks each year.
Proceed With Caution
Two words should be emphasized when handling fireworks: be careful. In 2023, close to 9,700 Americans were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries. Hands and fingers were the most common body parts injured (35%) followed by head, face, and ears (22%). An estimated 42% of emergency room-treated, fireworks-related injuries were burns.
While sparklers are often considered harmless, they can burn as hot as 2,000 degrees F and cause serious damage to the skin.
Take Me Out to the Ballgame
The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers put on a terrific show with every home contest, but expect Fang and the Rattlers to have a little more zip on their fastballs when they host Beloit in a 6:40 p.m. game on the Fourth of July.
It will be billed as Military Appreciation Night at Neuroscience Field at Fox Cities Stadium. A postgame fireworks celebration concludes the evening.
“It’s Americana – baseball, hotdogs, and fireworks,” said Timber Rattlers CEO and president Rob Zerjav. “It’s tradition for a lot of people. They want to come out and see baseball and it’s an easy way to see fireworks. You don’t have to battle the crowds. You have a nice seat for the fireworks.
“It’s really a weather-based day for us. If the weather is good, we’ll do fantastic. If the weather isn’t good, people aren’t going to come out.”
Celebrate in Our Area!
Here is a list of some of the local fireworks shows and celebrations. All the fireworks are Festival Foods Fireworks displays.
Appleton:
Appleton will continue its long-standing, early-bird tradition of holding its annual fireworks display on July 3 – a day before Independence Day. It will remain at Memorial Park, starting at 9:45 p.m. No food or alcohol will be available for sale, and alcohol cannot be brought into the park.
There will be no live music or food and beverage vendors as in past years. The Appleton Jaycees hosted a festival-type event for years before stepping down in 2023. The City of Appleton Parks and Recreation Department is now organizing more of a low-key event.
Neenah-Menasha:
The Fox Cities’ biggest Fourth of July party will be Community Fest: a two-day joint annual celebration shared between neighboring cities Neenah and Menasha on July 3 and 4.
Most of the activities – including live music, concessions, and children’s face painting and games – will be at Neenah’s Riverside Park and Menasha’s Jefferson Park. Fireworks can be seen at both locations at dusk on July 4.
A cookout at Curtis Reed Square and the popular annual Parade of Lights in Neenah highlight the July 3 events.
Live music will be featured at both sites on July 4. Among the bands and acts performing will be Fox Cities Swing Band (Jefferson, 2:30-3:30 p.m.); singer-songwriter David Paul Martin (Riverside, 3:15-4:30 p.m.; Tribute to Elvis (Jefferson, 5-6 p.m.); Time Machine (Jefferson, 6-30-7:30 p.m. and 8-9:50 p.m.); Sly Joe and the Smooth Operators, Riverside, 5-7 p.m.); and the Neenah Community Band (Riverside, 7:45-9 p.m.).
The Webfooters Water Ski Show will also be held from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Riverside Park and the Venetian boat parade will be held in Neenah prior to the fireworks.
The recreation departments from both cities co-sponsor the event.
“We always refer to it as two communities – one great event,” said Michael Kading, parks and recreation director for the city of Neenah. “We’re celebrating the greatest event in our nation’s history. If you look at the Declaration of Independence, it was marked with fireworks and celebrations. So, we’re continuing with that tradition from 1776.”
Green Bay:
The annual Fireworks over the Fox always draws an enormous crowd and offers a festival-type atmosphere with live music, food, and various events. It is held in downtown Green Bay in the waterfront area at the city deck, Neville Public Museum grounds, and Leicht Memorial Park.
More than 15 food trucks will be on hand and a beverage tent is available. There will be multiple music stages.
It is a free event and most of the activities start at 3 p.m., culminating with the fireworks at 9:45 p.m. Just remember that downtown traffic is usually quite heavy following the fireworks.
Kimberly:
Kimberly will hold its Independence Day celebration on July 3 at Sunset Park. Live music, craft vendors, and giant inflatables will be part of the fun prior to the fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.
Kimberly Firefighters for Fireworks is hosting the event.
Oshkosh:
Menominee Park will be the site of the Oshkosh celebration set for July 4. Multiple food trucks will be available, starting at 3 p.m. and the fireworks will launch at dusk.
New London:
The annual fireworks show and celebration takes place July 4 at its usual home of Hatten Park. Gates open at 6 p.m. and concessions are available. The fireworks start at dusk.
Hilbert:
A parade, picnic, and fireworks display – all on July 4 – highlight Hilbert’s annual Independence Day party. The 11 a.m. parade is one of the largest in Wisconsin and travels down Main Street. A picnic at Civic Park follows and the 9:30 p.m. fireworks wrap up the festivities.
Waupaca:
All of the events are set for July 4. A 10 a.m. parade from North Main Street proceeding south to Lake Street starts the day of fun. The Knights of Columbus annual chicken barbecue and hamburger lunch follows at South Park at 11 a.m. followed by a 6 p.m. water ski show. The fireworks display at dusk in the Shadow Lake-South Park area highlights the festivities.
Fireworks on TV:
If you don’t want to fight the crowds or traffic and can’t make it to a local fireworks show, a simple touch of a television remote will allow you to enjoy a few first-rate, big-city displays.
The annual Macy’s fireworks show dates to 1958 and it’s a sensational show – with live music and more than 60,000 shells and effects launched. It will be broadcast live on NBC starting at 8 p.m. central.
A Capital Fourth – featuring live performers and an outstanding fireworks show – is also a Fourth of July television staple on PBS, broadcast live from Washington, D.C. in the White House area at 7 p.m. (central). It will also be rebroadcast later in the evening.
Meanwhile, the Green Bay “Fireworks Over the Fourth” display will be broadcast live by television station WFRV Local 5.
This article was originally published in the July 2025 issue of Appleton Monthly Magazine.
