KENOSHA, Wis. – The 2025 Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade, presented by Snap-on, will march through downtown streets on Sunday, June 29, honoring the city’s 175th anniversary with more than 120 units performing, dancing, and riding in a colorful community celebration.
The parade steps off at 1 p.m. from Washington Road and Seventh Avenue, following the same route as in previous years. Spectators are encouraged to line the southbound lanes of Seventh and Sixth Avenues early, with traffic closures along the route beginning at noon.
This year’s parade theme, “Celebrating Kenosha’s 175th Anniversary,” will be brought to life by 18 floats competing for awards in categories such as Artistic Excellence, Patriotism, and Best Use of Theme. Local artists Shelby Nesmith of Lemon Street Gallery and Pat Koesser of the Kenosha Art Association will judge the entries in the staging area prior to the start.
Highlights of the parade include the Jesse White Tumbling Team from Chicago, a perennial crowd favorite, along with performances by the Lutheran Vanguard Marching Band of Appleton, Kenosha’s Band of the Blackwatch, and the Rambler Band. Local dance academies will also showcase routines along the parade route.
Two Kenosha-area veterans will receive special recognition during the festivities. Gary Beltoya has been named the City of Kenosha’s 2024 Hometown Hero of the Year. A Vietnam War veteran and U.S. Army Specialist 5, Beltoya received multiple military honors including the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. He also led community seminars on rape prevention and self-defense and has long supported wounded veterans through his work with the Southern Wisconsin All Airborne Chapter 82nd Airborne Division.
Milt Dean will be honored as the first recipient of the Kenosha County Veteran of the Year award. Dean, also a Vietnam-era Army veteran, spent 52 years in education, including decades teaching at Prairie Lane Elementary School. He is active in Little League baseball and local veterans organizations and is a frequent blood donor.
Snap-on continues its role as lead sponsor for the parade. Additional support comes from Kenosha County and sponsors including Jockey International, First American Bank, Lift Pro LLC, Rohrman Automotive Group, and Festival Foods.
Community members of all ages are invited to participate in the parade’s two-mile bike ride segment. No registration is required, but riders must gather at Seventh Avenue and Washington Road between noon and 12:30 p.m. and be able to complete the ride without stopping. Only riders on bikes will be permitted; walkers and joggers will not be allowed in the group.
Staging area closures begin at 10 a.m. near Pennoyer Park, with access to the park’s bandshell maintained for those attending the Knights of Columbus Mass at 10 a.m. Further street closures will take effect at noon along the parade route.
More information can be found at the City of Kenosha’s website: www.kenosha.org.
