By Kim McDarison
While the Whitewater Fourth of July celebration has a long history, reaching back to a time when events were held in the city’s Starin Park, the extended-weekend-long festivity moved to its downtown location, in Cravath Lakefront Park, in 2000, Jean Mills, a Whitewater resident and then-Fourth of July Committee member, told Fort Atkinson Online.
This reporter, then-editor of the Whitewater Register, remembered writing in 2004 about the event. Rummaging through old newspapers long ago saved in a dust-glazed tote, a familiar photograph of a colorful dragon-headed carnival ride emerged, along with a front-page headline, noting that in that year, the three-day celebration would commence Friday, July 2, with what has today become a festival staple: a carnival. Rides were scheduled to begin operation at 5 p.m. and run until midnight.
The theme that year was “America Standing Together,” and the full slate of that Friday’s events, along with the carnival, included music performed by “JP and the Cats,” and a beer garden. Saturday brought extended carnival hours, running from noon to midnight, and a presentation made by the Minneiska Ski Team which performed in Cravath Lake, along with tents filled with crafts, a “Care for Critters” bird show sponsored by the Milwaukee County Zoo, a “Battle of the Bands,” and a nighttime fireworks display. Sunday saw a parade, a second show by the ski team and a car show, along with a “Discover World Science” program sponsored by a Milwaukee-based museum, and fireworks, commencing for a second night. Music was performed by the Vern Meisner Band.
A bevy of business sponsors and community volunteers offered various supports to make it all possible.
Then in its infancy, the downtown location emerged as the cradle of tradition.
Rummaging a little further, there came a second find: a video made in 2013 of the Whitewater Fourth of July fireworks display. The recording produced images of mortars pumping pyrotechnics over Cravath Lake to the delight of a full and cheering crowd.
Last week, Downtown Whitewater, Inc., the organizers of the Whitewater Fourth of July Festival, released a partial schedule of events planned for this year’s upcoming celebration, and while some names have changed, the overall structure of the observance continues.
This year, according to the Downtown Whitewater Fourth of July website, five days of festivities begin Friday, June 30, and while daily schedules have not yet been published, organizers noted in a recent news release that carnival rides will once again be presented by Chrisman Amusements, which, Mills said, is the organization that has been bringing the rides to Whitewater since 2000.
According to Downtown Whitewater member Lisa Dawsey Smith, the festival has run between three and five days annually depending upon where the Friday before July 4th falls.
This year, the full festival will run from Friday, June 30, until Tuesday July 4.
“We always try to include a Friday acknowledging that some members of our community desire that,” Dawsey Smith said, adding that this year’s event-goers can expect to find carnival rides operating each of the five days.
Aside from the carnival rides, she said, the rest of the festival is run by volunteers. On Monday, while carnival rides will be available, other elements of the festival will not be, including civic food vendors, live music performers, or other activities.
Monday’s schedule is less full because some volunteers will need to work, and the Whitewater Unified School District is scheduled to begin summer school classes, Dawsey Smith noted.
Also, she said, some of Friday’s activities and entertainment acts are still being determined. As the full five-day schedule develops, including specifics, such as times and locations, information will be added to the Discover Whitewater Fourth of July website: whitewater4th.com.
On Saturday, July 1, the traditional car show will be held from 2 to 7 p.m., and there will be live music during the day. Fireworks will be presented Saturday night at 10 p.m.
Sunday, July 2, is “Family Day,” which is sponsored by Generac Power Systems, and will include a free petting zoo, complete with pony and camel rides. The petting zoo will be open between noon and 4 p.m., Dawsey Smith noted.
Also on Sunday, the annual Miss Whitewater Pageant will be held at 4 p.m., and food vendors will remain open until 6 p.m., Dawsey Smith said.
On Tuesday, July 4, there will be a full day of events, beginning with the Whippet City Mile run which is followed by the parade. Live music will be available throughout the afternoon, along with food vendors, and a fireworks display scheduled for 10 p.m.
This year, according to a recent Discover Whitewater news release, live music at the Cravath Lakefront Amphitheater includes a variety of local and regional performances concluding with the return of “The Britins, a Beatles Tribute Band,” as Tuesday’s headliner.
Organizers are looking for support through donations and volunteerism. Those interested in learning more about making a donation or signing up as a volunteer are encouraged to join the festival’s upcoming open-house-style committee meeting, Thursday, May 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the offices of Downtown Whitewater, Inc., 150 W. Main St., Whitewater.
Those with questions or who have an interest in volunteering also may contact organizers through email: director@downtownwhitewater.com.
Those interested in making a donation are asked to find additional information on the organization’s website where they also can become a “Friend of the Fourth” member.
Those interested in participating in this year’s Fourth of July parade are asked to register online using the following link: https://forms.gle/TsNTBuzsbwKAquD78.
According to information released by Downtown Whitewater, partner organizations helping to make this year’s festival a success, include: the city of Whitewater, Whitewater Lions Club, Whitewater Area Regional Ministries PrimeTime High School Youth Group, Whitewater First United Methodist Church, Christo la Roca, Knights of Columbus, St. Patrick Catholic Church, Whitewater Family Church, the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce, and First Citizens State Bank.
A 2004 copy of the Whitewater Register alerts readers to a three-day Fourth of July celebration. The event, which has since found its traditional home in Cravath Lakefront Park, was moved to the location four years earlier. Prior to 2000, the event was held in the city’s Starin Park. Kim McDarison photo.
A character, flanked by golf carts, makes its way down Whitewater’s Main Street. The 2022 parade entry was supplied by Willow Brook Golf Course, Whitewater. The group took third place, competing last year in the business and commercial floats category. File photo/Kim McDarison.
Click on the arrow above to watch a video of fireworks displayed over Cravath Lake as part of a Fourth of July celebration held in 2013. Kim McDarison video.
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Question; is there going to be any other bands or music being played at the Whitewater, lakeside this holiday four days or just the tribute band to the Beatles? On the 4th what about the other days?
Hi Scott, yes there are several bands playing. A complete schedule of activities is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/whitewaters-five-day-fourth-of-july-festival-to-commence-friday/
You have Karaoke tonight from 8-10pm do you have to sign up or a line to sing?
Hi Scott, I’m afraid those procedural details have not been shared with FAO by the event organizers. I suspect both a line and a signup sheet are possible.
Thank you