Racine 4th Fest

It’s a pretty big deal! Buy a new outfit or wear the most patriotic thing you’ve got. You will see everyone you know here. Two questions come up when the 4^th of July hits Racine: 1) Are you going to the parade? 2) Are you going to the fireworks? Nine times out of 10, the answer is yes no matter who you’re asking. The parade is one of the largest in the Midwest and, in 2008, USA Today named it 2^nd as one of the Top Ten places to be in the country on Independence Day (Washington, D.C. was 1^st).
Viewing the parade is a somewhat competitive sport. Years ago, people would camp out along the parade route just to get a good spot! Now, though the parade begins at 9, everyone starts lining the streets at 5am (the regulated time). At this parade, you will find an estimated 100,000 viewers for the nearly 200 exhibits in a city whose population is approx. 78,000 strong. After the parade, go home and rest. Eat lots of food and prepare for the fireworks!
I love fireworks in Racine because again EVERYONE gathers around one site whereas in larger cities there are more displays than anybody can count. Sure you have traffic jams to deal with so it’s another thing for which you want to arrive early. But hanging out on Lake Michigan with everyone you know is the best! Bring a grill, a cooler, and a blanket/​chair.
Why 3 stars? Where’s the beef? For a city that in my expert opinion boasts some of the best food in the country, food should be a bigger part of this festival! This city could easily set up booths along the parade route or at least on the side streets, extend the morning a little, and offer Racine’s finest to our guests but they don’t. In fact, most people leave the parade, go home, and come back out at dusk. In the past there was Afro Fest and a carnival to fill the gap but now there is nothing. If any opportunist reads this, know that noon-​7 in Racine, Wisconsin is up for grabs! Get it!