KENOSHA, Wis. — Thousands of people are expected to flock to downtown Kenosha this weekend for the annual Celebrate America festival and Festival Foods Fireworks display, prompting significant traffic changes, road closures and parking restrictions from July 2 through July 4.
The two-day Celebrate America festival will take place July 3-4 near the harbor, featuring live music on two stages, carnival rides, food vendors and family activities. The Festival Foods Fireworks show is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. Friday over the Lake Michigan lakefront.
Beginning at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 2, traffic east of Third Avenue between 54th and 56th streets will be converted to a one-way, counter-clockwise loop along Calabria Way and continuing to Sixth Avenue. The traffic pattern will remain in effect until 8 a.m. Monday, July 6.
On July 4, Celebration Place east of Third Avenue will be closed to both vehicles and pedestrians during the fireworks operation. Additionally, from 8:30 to 10 p.m., no traffic will be allowed east of Third Avenue between 54th and 56th streets, including Calabria Way, because of public safety concerns surrounding the fireworks display.
Officials are also changing parking arrangements for recreational vehicles. RVs will be directed to park in the vacant lot west of City Hall at 625 52nd St. beginning at 6 a.m. July 4. All RVs must leave the lot by 7 a.m. July 5.
As in recent years, there will be no public vehicle access to Simmons Island on Independence Day. At the direction of Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton, barricades will block access at 50th Street and Seventh Avenue, as well as Kennedy Drive and 45th Street.
Residents of Fourth Avenue, the U.S. Coast Guard and those conducting business with the Kenosha Water Utility, Great Lakes Yacht Sales and the Kenosha Yacht Club will be permitted through the barricades. Everyone else will need to access Simmons Island on foot.
Kennedy Drive will also operate as one-way northbound beginning at 8 a.m. July 4. Traffic will flow north from 44th Street through Kennedy Park and Pennoyer Park before exiting at 35th Street. The one-way traffic pattern is intended to reduce congestion after the fireworks and will remain in place until 1 a.m. July 5.
City officials are encouraging visitors to park downtown, including in the parking ramp at Eighth Avenue and 56th Street, and use the free transportation options available throughout the day.
The Lakefront Trolley will suspend its regular route on July 4 and instead provide free shuttle service between the Kenosha Transit Center and Carthage College from 2 to 11 p.m.
A separate Simmons Island shuttle will operate every 15 minutes from 2 to 9 p.m., transporting passengers between the transit center at 724 54th St. and Simmons Island Park.
Free streetcar service will also run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., serving HarborPark, the harbor and the festival grounds, providing another convenient option for spectators attending the fireworks celebration.
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