Wisconsin Rapids – The Fourth of July holiday celebrating our independence is fast approaching and plans are in the works to make this a safe, enjoyable and memorable national holiday for Wisconsin Rapids and its residents and visitors.
On Wednesday, July 4, 2018, bring your family to the shores of the beautiful Wisconsin River in downtown Wisconsin Rapids for one of the finest fireworks displays in Wisconsin. The display will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. The show may be viewed along most of the riverbank, except for the launch zone on the western bank of the river from the foot of the Grand Avenue Bridge to south of the Moravian Church.
This year’s Fourth of July Fireworks display will once again be choreographed to music, and the Teen Fireworks Committee, who fundraised all of the money to put this great event on, will be starting the show with the ceremonial lighting of the first shot. A special thanks to the Teen Fireworks Committee for their efforts! The event will be simulcast on Y105.5 – WLJY.
New this year, a Salute to our Heroes, gather at the center of Veterans Memorial Park at 8:50pm for a special event celebrating our independence and recognize those who serve or have served our Country! All Active and Retired Military Service Personnel are invited to participate and in uniform!
Food and refreshment vendors will be located during the day on West Grand Avenue on the west side of the river, and south of East Grand Avenue on 2nd Street on the east side of the river.
If you are planning to attend this event, please consider the following as you make plans:
• No tarps, blankets or chairs can be placed on the river bank or in any City park before 6:00 a.m. on July 4. Any article placed before 6:00 a.m. will be removed.
• No parking will be allowed on 2nd Street South between East Jackson Street and Mead Street, from 6:00 a.m. on July 4 through the conclusion of the event.
• No parking will be allowed on Birch, Maple, Walnut, Pine, Witter, Locust and Mead Streets between 2nd Street South and 3rd Street South, from 6:00 a.m. on July 4 through the conclusion of the event.
• Parking spaces designated for individuals with disabilities will be available at the Moravian Church on Goggins Street (West side) and First Congregational Church, Maple Street parking lot (East side).
• Boaters: There will be a safety zone established (dependent on weather conditions) which will be set and monitored by boat patrols. This will protect boaters from being in an area were fallout from the display could strike a person or boat and potentially cause injury, or a fire or explosion.
• Boaters are reminded to make sure there are sufficient certified flotation devices onboard and the boat’s capacity is not exceeded.
• For easier departure at the conclusion of the event, park on the side of the river in which you live or the area from which you travel.
• Obey traffic direction provided by local law enforcement.
• Always yield to pedestrians and be especially alert for children.
• Take the time you need to return home safely.
In the event of inclement weather, stay tuned to local media and communications outlets for information. If at all possible, a decision to cancel the display will be made by 3:00 p.m., July 4. The alternate date, should the display be canceled, will be Thursday, July 5, 2018.
Local media and communications outlets:
Radio: FM Y105.5, AM 1320 WFHR
Wisconsin Rapids Community Media: Solarus Ch. 3, Charter Ch. 985 and www.wisconsinrapidscommunitymedia.com
Nixle (Sign up for nixle alerts at www.nixle.com
United Way 211 Dial “211”
Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune website: www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com City of Wisconsin Rapids Website: www.wirapids.org
WSAW website: www.wsaw.com
WAOW website: www.waow.com
Also, regarding the possession, sale or use of fireworks, everyone should be reminded of the following:
• City Ordinance 20.04 (1) (a) allows private individuals and organizations to purchase, possess and use only those fireworks allowed in Chapter 167 of the Wisconsin Statutes. This would include sparklers, stationary cones and fountains, toy snakes, smoke bombs, caps, noisemakers and confetti poppers with less than 1⁄4 (one quarter) grain of explosive mixture. These items are legal without permits.
• Any device which contains more than one-fourth grain of explosive powder, that emits a report, discharges a flame, or leaves the ground is not permitted to be sold, possessed, or used in the City of Wisconsin Rapids.
• All other fireworks, including roman candles, firecrackers, bottle rockets, mortars, etc. are illegal except for groups with permits. Anything which explodes or leaves the ground is illegal without a permit.
Our thanks to City of Wisconsin Rapids staff who have made time to be a part of the planning process and to carry out the responsibilities during the event. Special thanks to our colleagues in law enforcement, fire, EMS and Rescue who have committed time and resources to make this event safe and family friendly.
From all of us at the City of Wisconsin Rapids, please have a very safe and enjoyable Fourth of July celebration.
