A Disney castle makes a 3-D appearance last year during Green Lake’s annual boat parade, while the castle’s royal stewards wave to the crowd. This year’s theme for the parade is “Who Let the Dogs Out.” Katie Warczak photo
by Connor Cummiskey
The smell of grilled brats and burgers will mix in the air with the sharp tang of ignited fireworks again this year as citizens all over our country unite to celebrate our independence.
Among the local Fourth of July celebrations are:
Green Lake
Green Lake has an extensive celebration planned.
Festivities will take place Friday, July 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. at both Playground Park and Deacon Mills Park.
Madison Malone, a singer and piano player, will perform from noon until 3:30 p.m.
The boat parade’s theme this year is “Who Let the Dogs Out” and it will begin at 2 p.m. near Sunset park.
The live music will continue with Random Maxx, who will perform from 6 to 9 p.m.
For entertainment, the American Legion will put on a game of “Sink the Bismarck.” There also will be kids’ games, a face painter and a petting zoo. This will all take place from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Playground Park.
Starting at 3 p.m. at the dam in Playground Park are the duck races. Competitors will be able to sign up for a duck at the Green Lake Chamber of Commerce’s booth by Deacon Mills Park.
The parade will begin at 4 p.m. and anybody is welcome to participate. The line-up for the parade will start at 3 p.m. outside the public works building.
The Green Lake Rotary will be selling brats and burgers alongside the Boy Scouts, who will be selling funnel cakes in Deacon Mills Park starting at 11:30 a.m. and going until 9 p.m. There also will be cheese curds and kettle corn to eat.
The fireworks display will take place over Dartford Bay starting at dusk.
Berlin
There are three musical groups that will be performing Friday, July 4 throughout the afternoon in Berlin.
First, from 2 to 4 p.m., Old Time Sounds will perform. Then, from 4 to 8 p.m., DJ Ryan will put on his show. Finally from 8 to 11 p.m. Big Boomba’s Boppers will provide some classic rock ’n roll.
During the day, the Berlin Fire department will put on a display. The Street Cruisers also will be displaying classic cars and trucks.
Food-wise, there will be a corn roast and the Boys’ and Girls’ Club will sell funnel cakes.
A petting zoo and inflatables will entertain the children — along with pontoon rides for a relaxing ride on the water.
Fireworks will commence at dusk. If it happens to rain on the fourth, everything will be happening on Saturday the fifth.
Princeton
Princeton will celebrate the Fourth of July almost a week early as its festivities are set to take place Saturday, July 28.
It will begin with its famous flea market, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
The market will run from around 6 a.m. to no later than 4 p.m. (most vendors leave between 1 and 2) at City Park.
The celebration will then continue with a parade that starts at 5 p.m. near American Bank and works its way through downtown and into City Park
Following the parade, there will be free activities for children including games, birdhouse building, a water fight put on by the Princeton Fire Department and a face painter,
The VFW band will play from 6 to 6:30 p.m.
Performing after it will be Spin from 7 to 11 p.m.
Throughout the day the American Legion will be selling refreshments in the park.
The fireworks display will take place across the street from the park at the public school, commencing at dusk.
Ripon
The annual fireworks display will occur Friday, July 4 at dusk in Murray park.
Before that, country-music favorite Avalanche Lilly will rock out at the Villae Green from 7 to 10 p.m. as part of the downtown Ripon summer concert series.
The Birthplace of the Republican Party Museum, located off Blackburn Street, also will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Green Laker 