Sponsors work to make Sheboygan’s 4th of July celebration the best ever. Taking advantage of the Independence Day celebration falling on a Monday, Johnsonville Sausage will be adding a hot air balloon event to open up the Big Bang Celebration from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Saturday, July 2nd. This new event features Wind Dancer Hot Air Balloons and is free to the public. They will tether three balloons on South Pier Drive near Fisherman’s Road. Rides will be available, each ride typically carries 2-4 people and each ride is approximately 3-5 minutes. To ride the balloons, you must sign a waiver and receive a wrist bracelet for admission. YOU MUST BE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD TO SIGN A WAIVER TO RIDE, OR A PARENT OR GUARDIAN MUST SIGN FOR CHILDREN UNDER 18. Children must be tall enough to see over the basket to ride. Rides will be provided on a first come, first served basis, wind and weather permitting.
The holiday weekend kicks off early with a performance by the Sheboygan Pops Concert Band on Wednesday, June 29 at Fountain Park from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. On Thursday, June 30, the music continues with the Levitt Amp Music Series held at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The opening act The Wild Reeds take the stage at 6:00 pm and welcome in the headliner band Scythian. Named after Ukrainian nomads, Scythian plays immigrant rock with thunderous energy, technical prowess, and storytelling songwriting that beckons crowds into a barn-dance rock concert experience.
The South Pier Carnival will be held at South Pier on Sunday-Monday, July 3-4 from noon to 11:00 pm. Come to the Riverfront early on Sunday to hear live music by Beer Belly Idols between Angler’s Avenue and South Pier Parlor and stay for the Venetian Boat Parade. Music will play from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm. The Venetian Night lighted boat parade will be held in the Sheboygan River beginning after dusk on Sunday. The Sheboygan Yacht Club organizers expect 40 boats to participate.
Independence Day, Monday July 4, kicks off at 7:30 am at the Sheboygan YMCA with the Coulis Cardiology Freedom Run. If the beach is more your style, check out the 14th Annual King of the Beach Co-Ed 4’s Volleyball Tournament at North Beach. Hosted by Team Elevate of Sheboygan, the event features several skill levels with a cash payout to the top teams in all divisions. Start time is 8:00 am.
Sponsored by Wisconsin Bank and Trust, the 2016 Sheboygan Independence Day Parade will entertain all ages! The parade kicks off promptly at 9:00 a.m. heading north on N. 9th Street and Center Avenue, then north on 9th Street, east on Michigan Avenue and south on Broughton Drive. Seating along the Parade Route can only be reserved after 5:00 am on the day of the parade.
At noon, make your way to Rotary Park for the SEAS Water Sports: Cardboard Boat and Paddleboard Races sponsored by Sprecher’s Restaurant and Pub. There have been a few changes since previous years, so make sure to see this Salute to the Military. The Sheboygan Theatre Company presents Performance in the Park at Fountain Park at 4:00 pm.
The Big Bang Celebration, sponsored by Johnsonville starts up at Deland Park at noon. The band Kallas is on stage from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm, Enigma takes the stage from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and 44 Audible continues into the night from 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm.
The weekend comes to a close with everyone’s favorite the Festival Foods Fireworks Show. Sponsored by Festival Foods, the fireworks will launch from the South Pier at approximately 9:30 pm.