Douglas County residents are starting the nation's birthday party early this year. Neighbors will gather and family fun will be served up starting this weekend and stretching through next week's Fourth of July festivities. There's a little something for everyone, from parades and car shows to mud volleyball and pancakes.
Tri Lakes area
Start the weekend off with a turkey pot luck dinner at 6 p.m. today at the Tri Lakes Community Center, 7872 S. County Road A. The meal is followed by a family scavenger hunt at 7 p.m. Dance to the music of Hillbilly Outlaws from 8 p.m. to midnight at Amnicon Bar and Restaurant.
The Tri Lakes Community Center hosts a pancake breakfast 8-11 a.m. Saturday with proceeds earmarked for the Summit and Oakland volunteer fire departments. The annual parade begins at noon at the intersection of Tri Lakes and Finn Point roads. Line-up starts at 11 a.m. This year's theme is "Independence Day the Wisconsin Way." The day wraps up with a boat parade at 7 p.m. and fireworks at dusk over Amnicon Lake. Boat parade participants should line up at the dock in front of Amnicon Acres Campground.
Sunday events include a mixed 9-hole golf scramble and steak dinner at Pattison Park Golf Course from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., a worship service at 10 a.m. at the Tri Lakes Community Center, and canoe and kayak races at 7 p.m. from the Amnicon Lake boat landing.
ADVERTISEMENT
Gordon Good Neighbor Days
Find recycled treasures from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. today during the 10th annual thrift sales and flea market along Finstad Avenue. Everyone is invited to bring a table and give their old stuff new life; there is no fee to participate. From 5-8 p.m., there will be a live remote with Muskie Country WHSM radio. Gordon Good Neighbor Days kicks off at 6 p.m. with a consignment and donation auction. Proceeds go to Good Neighbor Days. Hammerschlagen takes the stage at 7 p.m., followed by live music from My Device along Finstad Avenue from 8 p.m. to midnight. A dessert auction will be held at 9 p.m.
Enjoy a pancake breakfast 7-11 a.m. Saturday at the Presbyterian Church in Gordon. The Gordon Memorial 5K Run/Family Fun Walk takes place at Warner Park. Registration will be taken beginning at 7:30 p.m. The run starts at 8:05, the walk at 8:15 a.m.
The historical society hosts an ice cream social 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and a car show takes place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. next to the Gordon Town Hall. The parade begins at 2 p.m. followed by a duck race along the Eau Claire River. Stop by area businesses to sign up for the race at $2 per chance.
Kids' races and games begin at 7:30 p.m. in Warner Park, followed by live music from My Device from 8 p.m. to midnight. At dark, fireworks will light the sky over Warner Park and Mooney Ball Field.
Gordon caps off Good Neighbor Days with a mud volleyball tournament at 11:30 a.m. Sunday in Warner Park. Registration is free and takes place at 10 a.m.
Solon Springs
Drop by Solon Springs on Saturday for a day of family fun. Children's games begin at 11 a.m. next to the Mertz Rookey building, 11423 S. U.S. Highway 53. Parade Marshals John and Tracey Walt lead the Main Street parade at noon. The Upper St. Croix Lake Association provides free pontoon rides 1-4 p.m. from the St. Croix Inn, 11390 S. Fifth St. E. Fireworks take place at dusk over Lake St. Croix.
ADVERTISEMENT
Lake Nebagamon
Lake Nebagamon's annual Dragin' Tail 5 Mile Run/Walk takes place Saturday. The event, which raises money for the volunteer fire department, begins at 9 a.m. at the Lake Nebagamon Auditorium, 11596 E. Waterfront Drive. A street dance with Andrina and the Movement, featuring Russ King, takes place at 7:30 p.m.
The village will celebrate the 4th of July on Tuesday with games, parades and fireworks. Events kick off with old-fashioned kids' games at 1 p.m. at the auditorium. A parade winds through the village streets at 4 p.m. and the boat parade floats past at 7 p.m. Fireworks take place at dusk.
Superior
Enjoy the 20th annual Fourth of July celebration Tuesday in the city of Superior. The fun begins with a parade at 11 a.m. This year's parade route will run from Superior Middle School to Superior High School. Superior Singers perform at 1 p.m. in Heritage Park along the route, and bouncy houses will be set up at the park. The Dennis Van Alstine Memorial Car Show takes place 3-7 p.m. at Barker's Island Festival Park. Enjoy live music all afternoon at Barker's Island Festival Park. Performances include Timberline, 2-5 p.m.; Todd Eckart, 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Aftershock, 8-10 p.m. Fireworks will be launched from a barge off of Barker's Island at dusk.
The Superior Business Improvement District is sponsoring a school bus shuttle during Tuesday's festivities. It will run in a continuous loop 2-11 p.m., stopping at the municipal lot behind VIP on Banks Avenue, Belknap Plaza and the Barker's Island entrance.
A carnival begins Saturday and runs through the Tuesday on Barker's Island. It will offer rides like the bungee jump and swing and food ranging from fried Oreos and cotton candy to fresh-squeezed lemonade.
