Approximately 50 exhibits, including an array of floats, bands, marchers, trucks, tractors, and animals, among others, made their way down Whitewater’s Main Street Tuesday as part of the 2023 five-day Fourth of July celebration. The full celebration began Friday, kicking off with carnival midway rides in the city’s Cravath Lakefront Park, along with civic food vendors and live music, and closed Tuesday, with an evening fireworks display, also held in Cravath Lakefront Park.
This year’s parade marshal was Terry Phelps, who, according to the Whitewater Fourth of July celebration website, “joined the Whitewater Volunteer Fire Department on July 5, 1973.”
After 50 years of service, he will be retiring this year.
The website notes that Terry’s father, Charles, was a 25-year veteran of the department and took his son on “many calls before he officially became a member.”
Terry was named Firefighter of the Year by the department in both 1982 and 1990, and Fire Officer of the Year in 2014. He was named a Home Town Hero by a Whitewater community group in 2022. He has served as a department captain for over 30 years and as a certified instructor at Gateway Technical College for 25 years, the website noted.
Pictures from the parade, and its associated Whippet City Mile run, which took place along the parade route in advance of the parade, follow.
Kim McDarison photos.
Members of the American Legion William Graham Post 173 present the colors as they move along Main Street. Members from both the Whitewater Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5470 and the legion participated in the parade.
Parade Grand Marshal Terry Phelps, at left, greets parade-goers from his seat aboard an old fashioned fire truck. Phelps has been a member of the Whitewater Fire Department for 50 years. He is retiring in 2023.
A Whitewater Police Department vehicle leads the parade.
Whitewater Fire Department equipment, including fire truck 1220, moves through the intersection of Main and Fremont streets.
State Sen. Steve Nass, at left, rides with fellow members of the Whitewater Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5470.
Members of the “Sound of Sun Prairie” school district marching band perform during Tuesday’s parade.
“Sound of Sun Prairie” band members continue through the intersection of Main and Fremont streets.
Unfurling flags with choreographed precision, members of the Sun Prairie marching band move along Main Street.
Members of the U.S. Marine Corps wave to the crowd as they drive through the intersection of Main and Fremont streets.
Equipment operated by the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department moves along Main Street.
Riders aboard the Underground Cutz float greet the crowd.
A pair of Case tractors make their way down Main Street.
Trinity Smith-Hicks waves to parade-goers from atop her festively decorated mount.
Riding the pavement are members of the Southern Wakes United Show Ski Team.
Southern Wakes United Show Ski Team members march alongside their float.
A car sports its Independence Day paint job.
State Rep. Scott Johnson waves enthusiastically to the crowd.
Moving along Main Street on roller skates, a parade participant distributes candy to the crowd.
Rod Lorenz drives his 1953 Chevy truck.
Members of the Whitewater High School Whippets Football team strike a pose before moving into the intersection of Main and Fremont streets.
With its logo prominently placed, the Whitewater Kiwanis Club float moves down Main Street.
Parade participants wave from a float entered into the parade by the Walworth County Democratic Party.
Gemütlichkeit Days marchers dance along Main Street.
More Gemütlichkeit Days marchers dance in advance of the arrival of the Gemütlichkeit Days float as it enters the intersection of Main and Fremont streets.
Whitewater Area Mounted Search Team and Rescue (WAMSTAR) riders enter the intersection of Main and Fremont streets.
Additional WAMSTAR riders enter the intersection.
Children distribute candy to the crowd from aboard the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Athletics float.
The Whitewater High School Marching Band approaches the intersection of Main and Fremont streets.
The Whitewater High School Marching Band drum section moves through the intersection.
State Rep. Ellen Schutt greets the crowd.
From atop a colorful float, the “Caffeine Queen” waves to parade-goers.
A horse and rider, entered into the parade as “Autumn Bultman and BiBi Juna,” display their festive decor.
“Teen Miss Halee” at right, and “Junior Miss Zoe” ride together along Main Street.
Little Miss 2023 Lilly Eisner, at right, and Miss Whitewater Emily Eisner wave to the crowd.
LSM Chiropractic maneuvers a giant spine down Main Street.
Members of the Whitewater Middle School Band march along Main Street.
Whitewater Middle School Band members perform as they move through the intersection of Main and Fremont streets.
Mariachi band performers play for the crowd.
“Lulu Top Dog” marches along Main Street.
Elite Ms. Wisconsin Petite Kathleen Wojtasiak greets the crowd. According to a parade banner, the royal’s mission is to “end bullying and abuse.”
Whitewater Lions Club President Howard Rothstein, at left, rides along Main Street.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Chancellor Corey King, at left, greets the crowd.
Members of the Meisner Legacy Band perform from a float. Steve Meisner, for whom the band is named, died last month. The band played in Cravath Lakefront Park Tuesday afternoon.
A float representing the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center moves along Main Street.
Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center Programmer Lorelei Bowen greets the crowd from the aquatic center’s float.
UW-Whitewater mascot “Willie the Warhawk” greets the crowd.
Riders aboard the UW-Whitewater Athletics float take a moment to enjoy some candy.
A member of the Banner City Bikers club rides along Main Street.
Sharing his seat with a plushy friend, a Banner City Biker club member moves through the intersection of Main and Fremont streets.
Yet another Banner City Biker club member greets the crowd.
A parade entry supplied by Willow Brook Golf Course, Whitewater, moves along Main Street.
Members of the Whitewater High School Alumni Band perform while aboard a float.
Whitewater High School Alumni Band members continue to perform.
A Zor Shriners mini car operator enters the intersection of Main and Fremont streets.
Zor Shriners mini car operators ride in circles within the intersection of Main and Fremont streets.
A cluster of mini cars, operated by Zor Shriners, enters the intersection of Main and Fremont streets.
A horseback rider waves to the crowd.
Horseback riders stop to visit with parade-goers along Main Street.
A family participates in the Whippet City Mile run. The runners occupied the parade route in advance of the parade.
Runners of all ages accept the challenge of the Whippet City Mile run.
More runners move through the intersection of Main and Fremont streets.
Whitewater Police Officer Taylor Krahn arrives in the intersection of Main and Fremont streets, signaling the end of the parade.