July 4 celebration includes fireworks
The Spirit 1 medical helicopter will fly over the parade route just prior to the start of the July 4 parade through downtown Waupaca.
The parade is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 4.
It will travel Main Street from North Division Street to Lake Street.
The helicopter is an EC-145 and can travel up to 160 mph.
“Spirit 1 Air Ambulance is proud to support the Waupaca EMS community,” according to Matthew Thompson, EMS outreach coordinator for Ascension Wisconsin Spirit Medical Transport in Stevens Point. “The Spirit 1 crew consists of an Air Methods pilot, a critical care nurse and critical care paramedic.”
The grand marshal for 2018 will be Bethany of Waupaca. Bethany was selected as the 2017 “Large Business of the Year” for the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce.
Trinity Lutheran Church and Cub Scout Pack 3634 will collect items during the parade for the Waupaca Area Food Pantry.
Parade viewers can bring non-perishable food items and church members and Cub Scouts will walk the parade route with their float picking up donations.
Items most needed include hygiene products, diapers, soup, crackers, condiments such as ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, mayo and relish, spices and peanut butter. No items in glass containers.
Following the parade the Knights of Columbus will host its annual chicken barbecue in Upper South Park. Drive-thru pickup will be available.
The popcorn wagon will be in Lower South Park serving soda, nachos, popcorn and cotton candy before and during the fireworks.
Proceeds go to various charity organizations supported by the Knights of Columbus such as Boy and Girl Scouts, community and church youth programs, family disaster relief and youth scholarships.
At 6:30 p.m. July 4, the Chain Skiers perform on Rainbow Lake with viewing available at the Wisconsin Veterans Home behind the Marden Center. A junior show will take place at 5:45 p.m.
The fireworks show will start at 9:30 p.m. over Shadow Lake. FM 92.7 WDUX will play patriotic music during the show.
Lakeside Parkway from High Street to the Recycling Center will be open to emergency vehicles only from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. with pedestrian viewing on the walking trail but not the roadway. Bring lawn chairs and radio to enjoy the show.
Parking for the fireworks will be available in the Waupaca Recycling Center.
Freewill donations will help further the mission of the Rotary Club of Waupaca.
The annual celebration is coordinated by the Waupaca Area Convention and Visitor Bureau with the volunteer and financial support of local municipalities, businesses, organizations and individuals.
For more information,call 715-258-7343 or e-mail [email protected].