City Times Staff

The City of Wisconsin Rapids has released information regarding the coming 4th of July downtown celebrations this year.

According to the release, the show will kick off at 9:30 p.m., and will be visible from most of the riverbank. The show will, as always, be choreographed with music.

The Teen Fireworks Committee will start the show off with the ceremonial lighting of the first firework, which will be simulcasted on Y105.5 WLJY. The committee has raised the money to put the fireworks display on.

There will be food and refreshments located from W. Grand Ave. on the west side of the river, and south of E. Grand Ave. on the east side of the river.

The city has asked the public to consider the following if you are planning to attend the event:

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.

There will be no parking allowed between 2nd St. South, E. Jackson St. and Mead Street, as well as streets between 2nd St. South and 3rd St. South from 6:00 a.m. on the 4th through the event’s conclusion. Parking for those with disabilities will be provided at First Congregational Church and Moravian Church.

There will be a safety zone established for boaters and monitored by boat patrols. Those operating a boat are reminded to bring adequate flotation and safety devices, and not to exceed the boat’s capacity.

Always yield to pedestrians and take the time to travel home safety this holiday.

In regards to the possession of fireworks, the city reminds residents of city ordinance 20.04 which states:

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 ¼ (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.

The city of Wisconsin Rapids would like to thank staff involved in the planning process, law enforcement, fire, and EMS and Rescue for committed time and resources for this event.