The 4th Fest of Greater Racine brings together the entire community for its annual 4th of July weekend festivities. This year’s parade is Happy 250 America. It also marks the event’s 90th anniversary.
This milestone celebration is beloved by the community and beyond, with reported livestream audiences from Australia and Japan. On Friday, July 3, 4th Fest is selling tickets for a 50/50 raffle in Memorial Square. Saturday, July 4, is parade day with fireworks at 9 p.m. off North Pier. Sunday, July 5, will be a great celebration on Main Street.
Happy 250, America!
Racine will commemorate America’s 250th with their annual parade on Saturday, July 4th. The parade route travels from Goold Street and heads South along Main Street for a 2.6-mile path. It begins at 9 a.m., and attendance is expected to be bigger than in past years.
Parade Chairman, Jake Lovdahl, shared what to expect from the 2026 4th of July parade.
“This year has been massive all the way around [in preparing for the parade]. We have floats returning that have not been in the parade for more than a decade,” he said. “We have the most entries we’ve had in 6 years pre-COVID. The UW Badger band will be back as well, and there will be a lot of balloons this year.”
4th Fest hosts the only living memorial across three wars, which include The Boys of ’76 – American Legion Post 310/Agerholm-Gross Day, #346 – Iwo Jima, and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 767. These floats are a huge crowd pleaser for 4th Fest each year.
Bikes are not allowed at the parade except for Racine PD officers. Attendees are also not allowed to pass out candy or brochures. This is to keep attendees safe and to reduce littering and costs.
The parade will be broadcast on Channel 24 and livestreamed online.
History of the 4th Fest of Greater Racine
Racine held its first 4th of July parade in 1944, and it has continued annually since.
“It was such a big success that the committee took it upon themselves and said they needed to keep this going,” said Lovdahl. “Within a couple of years, they formalized into an organization and incorporated themselves as a 501(c)(3).”
In 1937, it was called the Goodwill Committee before the organization changed its name to Goodwill Inc., and later to Racine 4th Fest in the 70s. The name was finalized as the Greater Racine 4th Fest to encapsulate all of Racine County in the 90s.
This historic celebration makes Racine’s 4th Fest one of the oldest continually operated 4th of July parades in the country and the largest 4th of July parade in the Midwest. It is also the second-longest parade, only surpassed by Alameda, California, whose parade route is 3.3 miles, compared to 4th Fest’s 2.6 miles.
The parade route has changed 7 times since 1937. From ‘37 to the 40s, the parade traveled North to South instead of South to North. The current route has been used for a long time, with any changes occurring because of construction or other barriers.
4th Fest awards floats from the parade each year with honours named after significant members of the organization.
The three highlighted awards are Mr. 4th Fest, Honorary Grand Marshal, and the Mark “Mr. Racine” Eickhorst Spirit of Racine Award. These honorees will be announced by the 4th Fest.
There are 10 other awards for the best marching band, drum and bugle corps, outstanding high school, and seven float divisions.
The parade also ends with the Calliope float, which was first featured in the parade in 1938 with local dentist Walter “Doc” Gearen.
The Importance of 4th Fest
4th Fest of Greater Racine Inc is the driving force behind this annual tradition. They are run by volunteers who fundraise all year round, always preparing for the next 4th of July.
“We spend an entire year raising money to do this event through corporate sponsorships, donations, and fundraising events throughout the year to make sure that we can continue this Racine tradition,” said Lovdahl.
During the 2026 parade, volunteers will have a barrel drive to start raising money for the 2027 parade. Supporters are encouraged to donate in person or online so that this beloved celebration can continue for many more years.
It takes a community to put on something this impressive and impactful. Celebrate what makes Racine unique and the people who put it all together.
