Get ready to see pops of colors in the sky and a show of patriotism coming down the street. The 4th of July will be a fun time in Waukesha County. Here are events happening around the area:
■ BROOKFIELD — All Independence Day activities in Brookfield will be held on Thursday. The parade steps off at 10 a.m. Calhoun Road will close at 9:30 a.m. The parade will continue until all units have completed the route. In a typical year this ends at 11:30 or 12 p.m. The Flag Raising Ceremony will take place on the Civic Plaza immediately following the parade. The Family Fest will be held at Mitchell Park from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. This annual pre-fireworks event features family-oriented activities and a variety of food and entertainment. Fireworks will be held on Thursday at 9:17 p.m.
■ TOWN OF BROOKFIELD — The Town of Brookfield will hold its annual Fourth of July Picnic on Thursday in Marx Park. The day will kick off with the parade at 9 a.m. Decorate those wagons, bikes, and floats for the parade. The picnic runs until 12 p.m. Be in Elmbrook Church’s north parking lot before 8:45 a.m. to line up for the parade. It winds east on Davidson Road, then south on Linden Lane into Marx Park. Bring your chairs and candy bags to watch the parade.
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■ DELAFIELD — Nagawicka Lake Fireworks will be held on July 6. Please check the Facebook page for any updates as the fundraising and Fireworks are managed by a group of volunteers and not the city nor Delafield Promotion & Tourism. Delafield Parade, starting time 10 a.m. July 4, beginning at the City Hall parking lot on Oneida Street. The parade will proceed north on Oneida, east onto Main Street and south to 333 N. Lapham Peak Road to Delafield American Legion Post 196. Events immediately following the parade: hot dogs, ice cream, bike judging contest and gun raffle after.
■ ELM GROVE — The Elm Grove Family Fest will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Thursday at Village Park, 13600 Juneau Blvd. Fun Run/Walk sign in and warm up at 8:30 a.m., run/walk begins at 9:15 a.m. and there’s a bike decorating contest at 11:30 a.m. Food trucks, beer garden and vendor program from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., DJ in the park from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., national anthem at 9:30 p.m. and fireworks at 9:35 p.m.
■ HARTLAND — Friday marked the beginning of Hartland’s annual Hometown Celebration, a three-day festival of music, food, fireworks and a parade in and around Nixon Park in the village’s downtown. Today there will be music from Twist of Fate, 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Bella Cain, 8-11 p.m. along with continued offerings of food and beverages provided by the Kiwanis Club of Hartland, Knights of Columbus, St. Charles, Lake Country Beer Garden, Lake Country Optimist Club and the Woman’s Club of Hartland. Close out the weekend and this year’s event with the parade, beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. This year’s route will begin on Merton Avenue at its intersection with Hartbrook Drive, turn west onto East Capitol Drive, then turn north onto North Avenue and end near the off-ramp for Highway 16.
■ MENOMONEE FALLS — Independence Day Parade at 7 p.m. The parade travels on Appleton Avenue from Elm Lane to the high school and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. near the high school.
■ NEW BERLIN — 56th Annual New Berlin 4th of July Family Festival kicks off at 3 p.m. on Wednesday through Friday with the theme "Celebrating Community." Events take place at Malone Park, 16400 Al Stigler Parkway. Carnival, live music, food, pie bake-off, flashlight candy hunt, trivia contest. Fireworks are at 10 p.m. on Thursday. A Drone Show will be held at 9:30 p.m. on Friday at Malone Park.
■ PEWAUKEE — The parade starts at 3 p.m. in downtown Pewaukee, passes by the lakefront and ends at Kiwanis Village Park. Pewaukee Lake Water Ski Show at 6 p.m. and live music at Lakefront Park. The Pewaukee July 4th Lakefront Fireworks show will take place on the lakefront at dusk, 9:30 p.m., after a full day of activities in the village.
■ OCONOMOWOC — Parade starts at 5 p.m. today, from Roosevelt Park north through downtown and ending near Fowler Lake. Fireworks over Fowler Lake at dark (approximately 9 p.m.).
■ SUSSEX — Visit Sussex Village Park for a Kiddie Parade at 9:30 a.m. that leads to The Grove at Village Park where families can enjoy the splash pad, playground and an ice cream treat. In the evening, enjoy the fireworks at 9:20 p.m. The full fireworks display can be viewed from the hill in front of the Lions Den Building in Village Park.
■ WAUKESHA — The Fireworks & Neighborhood Beer Garden on Wednesday. The beer garden starts at 6 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. at Lowell Park, 2201 Michigan Ave. On Thursday at 11:30 a.m. will be the downtown parade.
