Stars, Stripes, and Summer Nights in WalCo!
- Lorea Braschko
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
The magic of the 4th of July is in the sights, sounds, and smells of the small-town Americana vibe that inhabits Walworth County. From the fireworks reflecting off our lakes to the live music playing from our patios and the smell of burgers on the grill,
WalCo isn’t just a place on the map; It’s THE place to be for your 4th of July festivities.
This year, your favorite WalCo towns are celebrating America’s 250th birthday by pulling out all the stops with drone shows, street dances, fireworks, and even a championship bull-riding showdown. If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime extravaganza, look no further than Walworth County.
STars: FIreworks, Festivals, and Lightshows
East Troy Lions Club Music Festival: To kick things off, the East Troy Lions Club will have its annual Music Festival. With new dates this year, we now get to extend the patriotic celebrations even longer! From June 11-14th, enjoy live music from Bella Cain, Shotgun Jane, and MORE! Don’t miss the darts tournament, home run derby, and washer tournament. PLUS, there will be a spectacular carnival with Badgerland Midway and a parade to end the festivities!
Delavan’s 10-Day Celebration: Delavan Celebrates America’s 250th
Ten days. Thirty-plus events. One community united to honor America's 250th birthday. The City of Delavan, alongside Visit Delavan, Delavan-Delavan Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, the Delavan-Darien School District, local civic groups, and area businesses, has transformed the traditional Fourth of July into an extended festival of patriotism, history, and family entertainment. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event that you MUST add to your itinerary!
*Fireworks shows
*Boat Tours
*Movies in the Park
*Parade and float decorating
* Red, White, and Brew Market
*Stars, Stripes, and Streetlights Street Dance
*Laser Light and Mapping Show
Town of Delavan Lakefest: June 27th at 6 pm: Water’s Edge: Live Music, Fireworks, and more! The Town of Delavan hosts Lakefest along the shores of Delavan Lake — an annual celebration made even more special this year as part of America's 250th anniversary festivities.
STAY: Lake Lawn Resort, Delavan
A great place to gather and enjoy all the Delavan area has to offer for your summer festivities.
“Lake Lawn Resort is located along two miles of Delavan Lake shoreline amongst over 250 wooded acres. A part of local history, Lake Lawn Resort has been operating since 1878. Today, guests can enjoy an array of activities and services, delicious dining, lovely venues, and fun adventures on water and land.”
Be sure to check out:
Fireworks Launch Party on the Lakefront: 5:00-11:00 pm
Scenic Boat Tour & Fireworks: 7:30-10:30 pm
Liberty on the Lake: Lake Geneva (Flat Iron Park) 5:00-9:30 PM
Get ready to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in unforgettable style at Liberty on the Lake, a spectacular Independence Day event hosted by VISIT Lake Geneva in downtown Lake Geneva. Set against the stunning backdrop of Geneva Lake at Flat Iron Park, this special July 4th celebration brings together community, tradition, and innovation for an evening filled with music, food, family-friendly fun, and a celebratory drone show! MORE INFO
Stay: Lake Geneva Lodge, Lake Geneva
Escape to Lake Geneva Lodge — the perfect home base for a WalCo getaway! Spacious suites, indoor and outdoor pools, cozy fireplaces, and relaxing lodge-style charm make it easy to unwind after July 4th festivities, lake adventures, shopping, dining, and family fun in beautiful Lake Geneva any time of year.
Other area firework shows and celebrations to check out:
Abbey Resort and Spa: “As the night falls, enjoy live music, picnic fare, and even a celebratory cake for America's birthday, then settle in for one of the best vantage points to watch the dazzling Village of Fontana fireworks display lighting up the sky.”
Fontana: Held on July 4th at dusk. Grab a blanket or lawn chair and head to the lakefront, where you’ll see the fireworks being set off from a barge on the lake!
Grand Geneva: Lake Geneva: “Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with us, bigger, bolder, and more unforgettable than ever. Experience a more extravagant fireworks spectacular lighting up the night sky, dance along to an electrifying live band, and be amazed by larger-than-life roaming entertainment, including a glowing LED robot and a towering Uncle Sam stilt walker. Grab a drink and soak in the summer vibes at our pop-up bar, Tavern 1776, serving festive cocktails and patriotic party energy. It’s a high-energy, can’t-miss celebration packed with patriotic spirit and next-level fun for all ages.”
Whitewater: An impressive Fireworks show launched rain or shine over the lakebed of Cravath Lake. 2026 fireworks will be launched at 9:45 pm on July 4th!
Sharon: Join us for an unforgettable celebration as we mark America’s 250th birthday at America 250: Party for the People! On Saturday, July 4th, 2026, the day kicks off with a hometown parade at 11 AM through downtown Sharon, followed by a lively vendor and craft fair from 12–5 PM at Goodland Memorial Park, 111 Church St., Sharon, WI 53585. Enjoy great food, community spirit, and a full day of family-friendly fun. Fireworks at dusk!
Elkhorn: Star Spangled Celebration on June 27th at Sunset Park: Celebration starts at 5 pm with vendors and live music. Fireworks at dusk
Lauderdale Lake Yacht Club Fireworks: July 3rd, anchor your boat at Don Jean Bay or Park at the Lauderdale Lakes Golf Club. Tune in to Lake 96.1 for synchronized patriotic music!
Stripes: Main St. Memories
The “Stars” may steal the show, but the stripes are the heartbeat of the county. Grab your flags and join us on “Main St.” for some unforgettable parades.
Lions Club Parade: East Troy: June 14th at noon INFO
Whitewater: July 4th at 10:00 AM from Main St. to Cravath Lakefront Park INFO
East Troy: Sunday July 6th at 12:00 PM around Village Square Park
Sharon: July 4th at 11:00 AM through downtown Sharon INFO
Summer Nights
When the sun goes down, the party is just starting here in WalCo. Whether you want the adrenaline-packed show of the Professional Championship Bull Riders tour or the serenity of a sunset cruise, memories are waiting to be made in Walworth County.
Professional Championship Bull Riders: July 3rd and 4th (7 PM)
Walworth County Fairgrounds
Buckle up for the Professional Championship Bull Riders Tour- 'cause you ain't seen nothin' like this before. The PCB has been a full-throttle tour de force: a man-a-toro showdown where the toughest cowboys on the planet face off against the rankest bulls in the game. May the boldest rider win!
East Troy First Fridays: East Troy Village Square Park: July 3rd, Enjoy live music, food trucks, dining and retail specials, family-friendly activities with patriotic touches throughout the night!
Sunset Cruises: Head out for a guided sunset cruise on Delavan or Geneva Lake, or rent a boat and cruise Whitewater Lake, Lauderdale Lakes, or one of the many other lakes in Walworth County. Visit our BOATING/FISHING page for more information.
Night Bites: Grab a bite to eat and enjoy the night sky and moonlit water.
Pier 290: Hang around and grab a drink at the beach and firepits of Pier 290. While the area is first-come, first-served, you are welcome to drink, eat, and enjoy the night.
East Troy Brewery: Head out to East Troy Brewery and grab a table on their large patio overlooking the square! Enjoy their seasonally evolving menu paired with their house-brewed beers.
Gus’ Drive In: Another East Troy favorite, “Gus’ is a classic ’50s style rock & roll drive-in restaurant, classic favorites like burgers, custard, Chicago dogs, gyros, and more! All summer long, everyone’s favorites come rollin’ and rumblin’ in, classic hot rods, because every Saturday night is Cruise Night! Cars, trucks, and motorcycles cruise in from all over the Midwest, don’t miss it! “
Turtle Lake Tap & Grill: Nestled along the shores of Turtle Lake in Walworth County, Turtle Lake Tap & Grill offers a relaxed, family-friendly dining experience surrounded by some of the best views in the Southern Lakes Area.
Second Salem Brewing Company: Second Salem Brewing Company is a brewpub located on Cravath Lake in historic downtown Whitewater, Wisconsin. Back in the early 20th century, Whitewater earned the moniker "Second Salem" from the locals, owing to its association with witch gatherings around the Witch tower (better known as the Starin Park water tower), as well as eerie incidents, mysterious murders, and other unworldly occurrences in the lake. These intriguing events, along with the distinctive figures and architecture of that era, constitute a shared history that sets our town apart, offering a trove of captivating tales to infuse into our exceptional brews.
For more restaurant ideas, check out our EAT section
There’s no better time to join us in Walworth County than the summer, celebrating America’s 250th! Whether you spend the day cheering at a parade or cruising on the lake, we hope you enjoy taking the time to explore our county and make countless memories. Grab one more scoop of ice cream, soak up the sun, and enjoy every moment of your WalCo 4th of July.
Looking for more tips and tricks for the perfect WalCo trip? Visit TIPS or join our FACEBOOK GROUP!
