Wisconsin Rapids Holding Rapids Riverside Freedom Fest on July 4th

Wednesday, June 10th, 2026 -- 12:00 PM

The City of Wisconsin Rapids is offering an exciting new Independence Day experience, Rapids Riverside Freedom Fest (Freedom Fest).

On July 4, the public is invited to celebrate patriotism and local pride with a full day of activities in downtown Wisconsin Rapids, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display.

In recognition of the 250-year anniversary of the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence, the City challenged the local community to complete 250 acts of kindness from May 4 through July 4.

Results will be announced at Rapids Riverside Freedom Fest on July 4 and on the City of Wisconsin Rapids Facebook page on July 6. Learn more about the 250 Acts of Kindness Challenge and join the movement: www.wirapids.gov/610/250-Acts-of-Kindness-Challenge

The event schedule for Freedom Fest is:

• Wood County is offering the Downtown Farmer’s Market on West Grand Avenue, between Third Avenue South and Second Avenue South, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Learn more about the Downtown Farmer’s Market: www.healthypeoplewoodcounty.org/locations-wisconsin-rapids
• Feeding our Communities with United Services (FOCUS) is hosting the Freedom Food Drive on West Grand Avenue, between Third Avenue South and Second Avenue South, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Donations will be counted towards the 250 Acts of Kindness Challenge. Learn more about FOCUS: focusofswc.org
• A free community yoga class will be provided from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. at Veteran's Memorial Park, on Second Street S, between Grand Avenue & Jackson Street.
• Freedom Fest vendors will be open from approximately 2 p.m. – 9 p.m., located on the west and east side of the river in downtown Wisconsin Rapids.
• The Kids Zone, featuring a bounce house, dunk tank and games, will be open from 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. and located on the corner of West Grand Avenue and Second Street South.
• A DJ will play music between 2 p.m. – 8 p.m., whenever there isn’t a band playing on the Main Stage.
• Polka Pak will play music on the Main Stage, located on First Street North, between East Jackson Street and Oak Street, from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• Gray Catz will play music on the Main Stage, located on First Street North, between East Jackson Street and Oak Street, from 6:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
• The Wisconsin Rapids City Band will perform outside of the Centralia Center, 220 Third Avenue South, from 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• At 7:45 p.m., Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Matt Zacher, will announce the results of the 250 Acts ofmKindness Challenge on the Main Stage, located on First Street North between East Jackson Street
  and Oak Street.
• Emily Arendt will take the stage at Veteran’s Memorial Park, located on Second Street South, at 9:25 p.m., to sing the National Anthem.

The fireworks display will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. and may be viewed along most of the riverbank and downtown area, except for the launch and safety zone on the western bank of the river from the foot of the Grand Avenue Bridge to south of the Moravian Church. The City of Wisconsin Rapids allocated $25,000 for this year’s fireworks display.

However, due to rising fireworks costs and the community’s growing desire for expanded event offerings, the City invited residents and businesses to support the event through donations and sponsorships. The response was outstanding; every contribution, large or small, helped make this celebration possible.

The City thanks the Friends of Freedom Fest for their generous donations and recognizes our event sponsors:

• Riverfront Allys ($2,500 - $4,999 sponsorships):
  • LSP Transport, LLC
  • Water Works and Lighting Commission
• Stars & Stripes Supporters ($1,000 - $2,499 sponsorships):
  • Civic Media – WFHR and WIRI
  • Friends of Rapids Music
  • Incourage Community Foundation
  • Moccasin Creek Real Estate, LLC
  • Solarusm
  • Wisconsin Rapids Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
• Patriot Partners ($300 - $999 sponsorships):
  • Aspirus Health
  • Dean Veneman’s Promo Agency
  • Express Recycling Solutions, Inc.
  • Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce
  • Village of Biron

Donations are collected year-around! Learn how to donate: www.wirapids.gov/205/Make-a-Donation. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities: www.wirapids.gov/608/Rapids-Riverside-Freedom-Fest.

If you are planning to attend this event, please consider the following as you make plans:

• No tarps, blankets or chairs may be placed on the riverbank or in any City park before 6 a.m. on July 4. Any article placed before 6 a.m. will be removed. Do not place blankets over plantings or mulch. Do not place tarps, blankets or chairs on the platform stage in Veteran’s Memorial Park.
• No parking will be allowed on Second Street South, between East Jackson Street and Mead Street, from 6 a.m. on July 4 through the conclusion of the event.
• No vehicle traffic will be allowed on the following streets, from 7 a.m. on July 4 through the conclusion of the event:
  • Second Street from East Jackson Street to Mead Street
  • Mead, Locust, Witter, Pine, Walnut, Maple, and Birch Streets from Second Street South to Third Street South
  • Oak Street from Second Street North to Third Street North
  • First Street North from East Jackson Street to Second Street North
  • Grand Avenue from Third Street to Third Avenue
  • First Avenue South from West Grand Avenue to Chase Street
  • Johnson and Goggins Streets from First Avenue South to Third Avenue
• East Jackson Street from East Grand Avenue to Third Street/Market Street will be closed for reconstruction.
• 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).
• Obey traffic direction provided by local law enforcement.
• Always yield to pedestrians and be especially alert to children.
• Boaters:
  • There will be a safety zone established which will be set up and monitored by boat patrols. This will protect boaters from being in an area where fallout from the display could strike a
    person or boat and potentially cause injury, 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.

In the event of inclement weather, stay tuned to local media and communications outlets for information. If possible, a decision to cancel the fireworks display will be made by 6 p.m. on July 4, with updates made throughout the day on the City of Wisconsin Rapids Facebook page.

The alternate date, should the fireworks display be canceled, will be Sunday, July 5. A notice would immediately be released on the following media outlets:

• City of Wisconsin Rapids Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/WIRapids
• Wisconsin Rapids Community Media: Solarus Channel 3, Charter Channel 985, www.wr-cm.org
• Nixle: Sign up for Nixle alerts at www.nixle.com or by texting your zip code to 888777

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 one-quarter (1⁄4) grain of explosive mixture. These items are legal without permits.
• Any device which contains more than one-quarter (1⁄4) 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.

To learn more about Freedom Fest, visit: www.wirapids.gov/608/Rapids-Riverside-Freedom-Fest

For questions regarding the event schedule, or opportunities to donate or sponsor Freedom Fest:

Emily Kent
Mayor’s Office
Phone: 715-421-8216
Email: [email protected]

For questions regarding event safety or day-of event issues/concerns:

Deputy Chief Brennan Agen
Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department
Phone: 715-421-6281
Email: [email protected]

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.