Manitowoc always celebrates Independence Day in a big way, starting the day with a festive parade and ending it with the booming Festival Foods Fireworks Show. In between, Manitowoc’s river and lakefront from The Wharf to the Manitowoc Yacht Club bustles with live music, family-friendly activities, and food and drinks. Organized by Visit Manitowoc, Fourth on the Shore is celebrated on July 4th, but to celebrate America 250, the festivities actually span July 1-5, making it a full WEEKEND of fun on the lakeshore! This year you can start the celebrations early by watching Kids from Wisconsin's "America's Soundtrack" performance on July 1 or viewing Jaws outside along the shores of Lake Michigan on July 2.
The Manitowoc 4th of July Parade kicks off Independence Day at 10 a.m. and heads north at S 8th St and Washington St, turns east onto Maritime Dr, then ends at the Manitowoc Yacht Club. After the parade, Maritime Dr will close, kicking off the kids zone and street party that will continue until 4 p.m. Take a stroll along the lakeshore and head to the Wharf for live music, the Manitowoc Marina for kayak rentals and sidewalk sales, and the Manitowoc Breakwater Lighthouse for an inside self-guided tour hosted by the Manitowoc Sunrise Rotary. In addition, the Manitowoc Yacht Club will be open to the public for live music, food, and kids' activities and Salmon Derby will feature even more live music and refreshment options.
Since the 4th of July falls on a Saturday, this year you can also begin your holiday at the Manitowoc Farmers Market. Running 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the market will feature everyone's favorite weekly vendors, plus specials at the market information booth. Free, festive Hartman's Bakery cookies will be given away and shoppers can pick up a market passport booklet to claim a limited-edition USA-themed market hat, all available while supplies last.
The Wisconsin Maritime Museum’s SubFest is all weekend, July 3-5, and occurs in conjunction with Fourth on the Shore. On the fourth, the USS Cobia will blow her whistle at noon, and there will be live entertainment, family-friendly activities, food trucks, and drinks at the parking lots East and North of the museum. New this year, after the parade rolls through, the street outside the museum will close for a street party, featuring more kid-friendly activities than ever before, including bounce houses, magic shows, a foam zone, underwater robots, button making and more. Admission to the museum is only $10 for the general public on July 4 and free for veterans, retired military and active duty military July 3-5.
End the day in the most traditional way possible with fireworks over Lake Michigan. The Festival Foods Fireworks Show is at 9:30 p.m. and launched from the South Pier, meaning the best place to watch from is anywhere along the lakefront from Silver Creek Park to a little north of the Manitowoc Yacht Club.
See the fun-filled weekend long Fourth on the Shore event schedule here.
Thank you to our sponsors and partners for this event: Festival Foods, Manitowoc Public Utilities, Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc Farmers Market, Community First Credit Union, Lakeside Foods, WOMT 100, Nicolet National Bank, Hartman's Bakery, Pozorski Hauling, City of Manitowoc, Manitowoc Marina, NEWGLSF Salmon Derby, Manitowoc Yacht Club, Manitowoc Sunrise Rotary, The Inn on Maritime Bay, Manitowoc Marine Band, The Wharf Manitowoc, and Fricke Printing.
Kick off Independence with a patriotic parade and end it with a lively firework show.
