For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – On July 4, the city will launch fireworks from the Wisconsin River in downtown Wisconsin Rapids. The 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.

This year’s Fourth of July Fireworks display will once again be choreographed to music, and Mayor Shane Blaser will begin the show with the ceremonial lighting of the first shot. The National Anthem will be sung by the Lincoln High School Acapella Choir.

The deejay will start playing music at 6 p.m., with food and refreshment vendors located on West Grand Avenue on the west side of the river, and on Second Street South, south of East Grand Avenue, on the east side of the river.

If you are planning to attend, the city of Wisconsin Rapids advises the following:

• No tarps, blankets or chairs may be placed on the river bank 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.
• 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 Birch, Maple, Walnut, Pine, Witter, Locust and Mead streets between Second Street South and Third Street South, from 3 p.m. on July 4 through the conclusion of the event.
• 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).
• Boaters there will be a safety zone established which will be set 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, or 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.
• For easier departure at the conclusion of the event, park on the side of the river in which you live or the area from which you travel.

In the event of inclement weather, stay tuned to AM 1320 WFHR or www.wirapids.org.  If possible, a decision to cancel the display will be made by 3 p.m., July 4. The alternate date, should the display be cancelled, will be July 5.