PITTSVILLE, WI (OnFocus) – Central Wisconsin residents are invited to visit Pittsville on July 4th for a traditional community celebration. After a pandemic-related cancellation in 2020, the event is back, bigger and better than ever.
Highlights include a huge parade at 12 noon, followed by food, fun and live music at Riverside Park, capped off with a gigantic fireworks display at dark.
This is the 59th year for the celebration, sponsored by the Pittsville American Legion and Pittsville Lions Club, with assistance from community volunteers. It traditionally brings thousands of visitors to this small community.
“The 4th of July Celebration is a sort of a ‘Summer Homecoming’ for the Pittsville area,” stated Jerry Meyers, General Chairman. “People come back year after year to visit with family and friends. The hour-long parade is a big draw, but activities in the park and the evening fireworks also are popular.”
Streets in Pittsville are already decked out with small American flags, sponsored again by Hiller’s Hardware of Marshfield and its team of volunteers.
“This is a large effort for a small town,” continued Meyers. “Volunteers work for six month to recruit sponsors, put together the parade and arrange activities.
In addition to the highlights described above, other activities include:
- July 1-4: Sidewalk Chalk Art sponsored by the Pittsville Area Business Group;
- July 3: Heart and Sole Road Race, sponsored by the Pittsville Fire Company/EMS Service
- July 3-4: Carnival and live music at Riverside Park;
- July 4: “Road Apple” fundraiser sponsored by the Pittsville Community Library
- July 4: Kiddie Parade starting at 11:30 a.m. sponsored by the Pittsville American Legion Auxiliary and Pittsville Fire Company/EMS Service
- Food and drink available for purchase along the parade route, sponsored by local non-profits.
This is the one and only 4th of July Parade in Wood County, so if you are thinking of attending, plan to bring your lawn chairs or blankets and get to Pittsville early. The Highway 80 entrance into town will be closed prior to the Kiddie Parade at 11:30 a.m.
The parade route starts at St. John’s Lutheran Church (8313 2nd Street) and follows Highway 80 until Associated Bank (5292 2nd Avenue). Parking is available on side streets.
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Author: MaryAnn Lippert
MaryAnn is a Pittsville native who believes that small rural Wisconsin communities are the best places in the world to live, raise a family, work and play. She learned this by traveling for six years through 40 northern Wisconsin counties listening to residents and helping solve problems related to state government. MaryAnn enjoys working in her yard and woods, hanging out with her family and cheering for all Wisconsin sports teams. Heaven on earth is Lambeau Field, north end zone.
