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The annual July 3 lakefront fireworks are back after a two-year hiatus and will begin at the at around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, thanks to the support of sponsors American Family Insurance, the Kelben Foundation, Inc. and Town Bank, a Wintrust Community Bank.
The 45-minute display will be launched for a barge on Lake Michigan and a secured area at Veterans Park, 1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr.
You can also view the fireworks from South Shore Park and the Russell Avenue Fishing Pier in Bay View, Harbor View Plaza at the foot of Greenfield Avenue, and Bradford Beach, the tops of Northpoint and Lafayette hills on the East Side.
Note, however, that Jones Island will be closed to the public from 5 until 11:59 p.m. on July 3. Port Milwaukee also adds that due to cruise ship activity at Pier Wisconsin (at Discovery World), the public should avoid East Michigan Street east of Lincoln Memorial Drive on July 3. Parking on that section of Michigan Street is prohibited that day and violators will be towed.
Here is everything you need to know about enjoying the fireworks, as provided by Milwaukee County Parks:
Camping
Overnight camping is not permitted in any Milwaukee County Park and parks close at 10 p.m. Anyone camping in Veterans Park will be doing so at their own risk. No overnight parking is allowed on either July 2 or July 3.
Kite Festival
Gift of Wings host a kite festival from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. July 3. See giant kites flying above the park and give kite-flying a try at free lessons! It all takes place in the designated kite-flying area in Veterans Park. Bring your own kite or buy one at the Gift of Wings kite store.
Parking
Cash-only parking operations at the lakefront will begin at 6 a.m. on July 3. All lots can be accessed from Lincoln Memorial Drive and are first-come, first-served. There are no in-out privileges once a vehicle enters the grounds and Lincoln Memorial Drive will be closed at 6 p.m. or once lots reach capacity and reopen after the display. No overnight parking is allowed, so all vehicles will need to leave the park after the fireworks display has concluded. Prices: $25 car; $50 car plus trailer; $75 RV; $100 RV plus trailer.
Trash
The July 3 Fireworks are a free event that attracts up to 50,000 people from all over the region to the Milwaukee lakefront – so we ask for visitors to help keep the park clean by taking their trash home with them. Everyone parking in Veterans Park will be given a trash bag to take their trash home with them.
Vendors
Food vendors and beer tents will be available from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 3. (please drink responsibly). If the weather is hot we recommend drinking plenty of water. Most vendors will be cash only. Event partner Milwaukee Parks Foundation will host a 50/50 raffle and collect donations to benefit Milwaukee County Parks from 11 am - 8:30 p.m.
Volunteer Cleanup
Volunteer Cleanup help will also be needed along the lakefront following the July 3 fireworks, starting at midnight until 4 a.m. On July 5, help will be needed at various parks throughout Milwaukee County. To sign up for a time slot and park, click here.
More information can be found at milwaukeefireworks.org.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
