News & Events

The 4th of July Parade will step off Saturday, rain or shine, promptly at 10 a.m., preceded by the Whippet City Mile at 9:45. Road closures will begin at 9:30, so plan ahead. The start will be delayed in case of lightning or other severe weather conditions. Any update will be posted to the department’s website or Facebook page. We hope you enjoy watching the parade as it progresses from Prince Street east down Main Street making the turn onto Whitewater Street from Main and ending at Cravath Lakefront Park at Fremont St. The Lightning F-35 flyover is at 10:50; the jets will be flying as low as they can safely do so, entering the parade route from the east (Whitewater and Main) headed west towards ALDI.

If it is not raining the parade will be livestreamed on Spectrum and TDS on channel 990 and on Youtube under Whitewater Community TV. It will also be replayed on channels 990.

Kevin Boehm, city Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities, told The Banner “We are doing things a little different this year and assigning spaces in the parade. The hope is to eliminate the people feeling they have to line up at 6 am to get a good spot in the parade. Anyone not registered will be allowed to park on Highland St., Peck St., and Charles St. coming in from S. Whiton St. Staff will be at the entrances to each street to assist parade entrants. There will be NO access for participants to be dropped off on Highland Street or Prince Street. Only vehicles that are participating in the parade will be permitted to enter the designated lineup streets. We ask for everyone to be patient, and we will have a spectacular time and parade.”

Award winners will be posted on the ticket booth windows at the festival shortly after the parade concludes. The results will also be shared with the Whitewater Banner and published on the Whitewater Parks & Recreation social media pages as soon as possible.

Downtown Whitewater, Inc. continues to lead the 4th of July Festival. The city’s only role is coordinating the parade this year. Much appreciation to the Lion Club for their many years of service to the community by organizing prior parades.
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The carnival rides are indeed open until 4 p.m. today, in spite of the omission of that in the official schedule. What else is happening? Most of the features shown below will probably be there until 4:00, although the donut trailer might only be there until 3 unless they’re busy.

All of the food tents are closed, except for the First United Methodist Church (the striped tent in the background in the image to the right). Pulled pork sandwiches and nachos are still available, though the corn on the cob has unfortunately run out.

Children can pick a stuffed animal that’s not yet stuffed. Hook it up to the machine to stuff your animal!

Face painting

Neil the Realdeal Balloon Twister doesn’t have to blow his balloons with his own air!

[Left] Berry Good Donuts makes fresh donuts while you wait. They said they’d be there until at least 3 p.m. – “Maybe till 4 if we’re busy.” [Right] A wide variety of jellies and sauces.

[Left]Yes, the beer tent is still open. [Right] Ice Age Trail info is shared.

[Left] A huge variety of colorful 3-D printed objects [Right] Beautiful ceramics by Mudders Dream

The official schedule for the Whitewater 4th of July Festival does not include carnival rides on Sunday, July 5. However, Christman Amusements will indeed be operating their carnival rides on Sunday from 12-4 p.m. Unlimited ride wristbands ($25) may be purchased if desired.

Community members and visitors alike are warmly invited to gather for a Beloved Community Fellowship Hour on Sunday, July 5, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Cravath Lakefront Park in Whitewater.

Hosted by First English Lutheran Church, North Lima Presbyterian Church, First United Methodist Church, and other area faith communities, this ecumenical gathering offers a meaningful opportunity for fellowship, reflection, and connection in a welcoming outdoor setting.

The Beloved Community Fellowship Hour is centered on a shared vision of cultivating a community where neighbors come together in love, mutual respect, and unity. The hour will feature music, thoughtful reflection, and time to connect with one another while enjoying the peaceful lakefront atmosphere.

This event is fully inclusive, and all individuals, families, and visitors are invited to attend, regardless of background, faith tradition, or life experience. Organizers hope the gathering will serve as a reminder of the strength and beauty found in community.

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for comfortable seating.

“Whether you’re a longtime resident or visiting Whitewater for the holiday weekend, we invite you to join us as we celebrate the spirit of fellowship and the bonds that unite our community,” organizers shared.

The Community Fellowship Hour is free and open to the public.
Event Details:

• What: Beloved Community Fellowship Hour
• When: Sunday, July 5, 2026 | 11:00 AM
• Where: Cravath Lakefront Park, Whitewater
• Who: Open to everyone
• Bring: Lawn chairs or blankets

The Whitewater Heritage 250 Exhibit (July 2 – July 26, 2026) and the Whitewater Arts Alliance “Celebrating the Arts and Creating Community—250 Campaign”

Unless otherwise noted, all events will be held at the Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI. Whitewater Heritage 250: A Living Democracy Celebration, July 2 – July 26, 2026, Thursdays – Sundays, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm July 2 Heritage 250 Exhibit Opens July 4 4th of July City Celebration, CAC Gallery is open July 9 1st Brigade Band performs at Savory Sounds, 11:30am – 1:00pm July 12 Heritage 250 Reception, 1st Brigade Band Demonstration, and portrayal of Christopher Ludwig (George Washington’s baker) by Dale Reich, 1pm-4pm July 16 Kevin Wood portrays Abraham Lincoln, 10:00am – 11:30am July 26 Final Day of the Exhibition Please visit our website for additional details regarding the schedule. In collaboration with the Whitewater and Walworth County Historical Societies, the Whitewater Landmarks Commission, and the 1st Brigade Band, the Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) will host “Whitewater Heritage 250: A Living Democracy Exhibition” from July 2 – July 26, 2026 in celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary. The exhibit will feature historical photographs, artifacts, narratives, music, Civil War era instruments, documents, a time capsule, reenactments, and contemporary performances. The exhibit’s curation and programming highlight how the values expressed in our nation’s founding documents have shaped the development of our local society and the changes that have occurred due, in part, to those same principles. The exhibit reminds visitors that democracy is not only inherited but continually practiced. Programming highlights include the performance of the 1st Brigade Band (https://1stbrigadeband.org/) for the Savory Sounds concert on July 9.  The 1st Brigade Band reenacts performances of the original band, a group of eighteen men from the Brodhead Brass Band who enlisted in the Union Army in 1864. The band performs in traditional uniforms utilizing historic instruments; several of the organization’s instruments will be on loan for the exhibit in the Cultural Arts Center. An E-flat tenor horn played for the Lincoln – Douglas debate in Freeport, Illinois in 1858 and a drum played at Fort McHenry will be on display.     On July 12, Heritage Military Music Foundation members Nancy Campbell, Ed Pierce, Don Neverman, and Paul Schmidt will provide a demonstration and discuss the history of the instruments, including a Revolutionary War drum they will bring to the CAC. The exhibition reception will also take place that day from 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Dale Reich will share his portrayal of Christopher Ludwig, George Washington’s baker, at 2:30pm. President Abraham Lincoln will make an appearance on July 16, 10:00am – 11:30am through a historically grounded performance by Kevin Wood (https://www.mrlincoln.com/).   The events are free and the public is invited to attend; the Whitewater Arts Alliance staff, board, and volunteers look forward to celebrating our history with our fellow citizens. This program is supported in part by a grant from The Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and The National Endowment for the Arts.

Additionally, we thank our sponsors for supporting these events: Beaver Tree, Burtness, College of Arts and Communication, Culver’s, Fairhaven, First Citizens State Bank, First English Lutheran Church, First United Methodist Church, Gomez Landscaping, Knapton Musik Knotes Inc, Krueger Jeweler, Nitardy Funeral Home, Pastor Clarissa Martinelli and Family, Pro Landscape Supply, Studio 84, The White House of Music, UW-W Summer Marching Bands, Whitewater Area League of Women Voters, Whitewater Historical Society, Whitewater Public Library, WUSD Leadership Team, Window Genie, Kim Adams and Angie Alesci, Joseph and Jessica Coburn, Thayer and Anne Coburn.

In conjunction with the Whitewater Heritage 250 exhibit, the Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) will launch its “Celebrating the Arts and Creating Community 250 Campaign.”  This fundraising campaign seeks to raise awareness about WAA programming and community outreach efforts and to inspire 250 contributors to the 250 Campaign. The campaign will be officially announced on July 9 during the 1st Brigade Band Savory Sounds concert. The campaign will run July 2026 – July 2027 and funds raised will be used to embrace creative arts opportunities, enhance public art, enrich arts knowledge and appreciation, and engage intergenerational and diverse artistry. For information on donating to the Whitewater Arts Alliance, visit https://www.whitewaterarts.org/donate.

Contact:For more information, Contact: Kim Adams, Gallery Director, Whitewater Arts AlliancePhone: 608-201-2151 Email: wwartsalliance@gmail.comWebsite: whitewaterarts.org Facebook: facebook.com/wwartsalliance

Cultural Arts Center Gallery

402 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI

Gallery Hours: Thursdays-Sundays, 12pm-4pm

Please Note: The gallery is closed outside of Gallery Exhibit Hours except for special events and is also closed when no show is currently running.

“Celebrating The Arts And Creating Community!”

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. Happy Fourth of July tomorrow! Many of you will come and see the parade tomorrow so we present this parade float from the 1907 Homecoming parade that also took place on July 4. It was created by the F. M. and M. M. Finch Hardware Store. This hardware store started with F. M. Finch in the late 19th century. Around the turn of the twentieth century, M. M. Finch joined the business and it operated in downtown Whitewater until 1910. The float has what was the “state of the art” kitchen stove for 1907 on display.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(2920GP, Whitewater Historical Society)

Updated 7/3/26 @ 9:50 p.m. – Clarification: The carnival WILL BE OPEN ON SUNDAY with wristband hours (unlimited rides for $25) from 12-4 p.m.

The community is gearing up for four days of fun, entertainment, and patriotic celebration as the Annual 4th of July Festival opens. Residents and visitors of all ages are invited to join in the festivities, which will feature a carnival, live entertainment, food vendors, family activities, and a spectacular fireworks display.

The celebration kicks off on Thursday, July 2, with the annual Miss Whitewater Pageant along with the opening of the carnival, beer garden, and local food vendors.

On Friday, July 3, festivalgoers can enjoy the carnival, a variety of food vendors, live music, and the popular beer garden, providing a full day of great food, entertainment, and community spirit.

The excitement continues on Saturday, July 4, starting with the Whippet Mile, followed by the parade. Once that is over, the carnival, food vendors, live music, and beer tent open throughout the remainder of the day. The evening will conclude with a dazzling fireworks display, scheduled to launch at 9:45 p.m., lighting up the sky in celebration of America’s independence.

The festival wraps up on Sunday, July 5, with Family Day, presented by Generac. Families can enjoy a variety of activities, including a petting zoo, balloon artist, flea market, and much more. Family Day is designed to provide fun and entertainment for attendees of all ages.

Carnival hours (including $25 wristband unlimited rides hours): July 2 hours: 4:30 pm- 10:30 pm (wristbands 5:00 pm -9:00 pm) July 3 hours: 11:30 am- 10:30 pm (wristbands 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm) July 4 hours: 11:30 am- 11:30 pm (wristbands 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm); July 5 hours: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (at least that’s the wristband hours)

“We are excited to bring the community together once again to celebrate our nation’s independence and create lasting memories with family and friends,” the 4th of July Committee said. “There is truly something for everyone throughout the four-day festival

Come celebrate Independence Day with family, friends, and neighbors at this year’s Annual 4th of July Festival!
Updates may be available at whitewater4th.com.

A promotional video may be viewed here. The band lineup is shown below.