Once again we've reached our country's most patriotic time of the year. There's nothing better than grabbing a blanket and loved ones and heading down to your nearest park for some festivities, firework-gazing and appreciation of the good ol' U.S. of A.

Here is your ultimate Milwaukee guide to where to picnic, see the parades and ooh and ahh at the bright booms.

Milwaukee

Alcott Park: July 4 – The parade assembly marches into Alcott Park at 9 a.m., where children will receive free ice cream. There will also be children's games and contests all day. The fireworks ground display starts at 9:15 p.m.

Enderis Playfield: July 4 – Parades depart from 81st St. School and Mother of Good Counsel Church bright and early at 8:30 a.m., followed by a 9:15 a.m. flag raising and music concert/sing-along. Contests and games continue throughout the day, including a fire department water cannon display and watermelon eating contest.

Gordon Park: July 4 – Gordon Park will celebrate the fourth with a series of live music, theater, and dance performances beginning at 1 p.m. The fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.

Humboldt Park: July 4 – The parade starts at 9 a.m. at Kinnickinnic and Lincoln Avenues; the afternoon children's parade begins at 1:30 p.m. Games, contests and activities continue throughout the day, and there is live music starting at 3 p.m. The night closes with an expanded fireworks display at 9:15 p.m.

Jackson Park: July 4 – Children's parades begin at 8:45 a.m. with ice cream at 9 a.m. A flag raising ceremony and kids' contests round out the morning. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.

Dr. M.L. King, Jr. Park: July 4 – The park hosts a neighborhood talent contest at noon today. See the flyer for information about auditions.

Lake Park: July 4 – Parades from Hartford and Maryland Avenue Schools start at 9 a.m. with art projects and other parades, like a doll buggy, coaster and tricycle parade, to follow throughout the day. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.

Lincoln Park: July 4 – You'll have to check out another park for daytime festivities but you can make your way to Lincoln Park for fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

McGovern Park: July 4 – A flag raising and opening ceremony starts the day at 1 p.m., followed by talent shows and a karaoke showcase. McGovern won't have fireworks, but nearby Lincoln, Noyes and Washington Parks will have plenty of sky candy.

Mitchell Park: July 4 –A school parade is held at 8:45 a.m., with a flag raising in front of the Domes taking place at 10 a.m. Games kick off right afterward, as well as a 2 p.m. talent show and music from DJ Dan Variety from 6 to 9 p.m. The fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.

Noyes Park: July 4 – A parade leaves at 8:45 a.m., with a flag raising and ice cream at 9:45 a.m. Games begin at 10:45 a.m. and fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

Sherman Park: July 4 – The parade leaves from St. Catherine's Church at 9:30 a.m. with ice cream at 10:30 a.m. Deck out your bikes and trikes for the parade and the judging that follows at 11:15 a.m. The celebration goes through the day with games and prizes.

Washington Park: July 4 – The day begins with a flag raising at 11 a.m., then hosts games and contests until the fireworks show at 9:15 p.m.

Wilson Park: July 4 – The parade commences at 9 a.m. Music, contests and crafts follow until 3 p.m., when The Greater Milwaukee Figure Skating Club puts on a free ice show at the Rec Center, 4001 S. 20th St. A talent contest for ages 5-19 follows at 5:30 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.

U.S. Bank Fireworks, Veterans Park: July 3 – Fireworks start at dusk, but activities run all day long in Veteran's Park on the lakefront. This is by far the biggest and most popular fireworks display in the area. Our advice is to camp out early with your blankets for a good seat.

Suburbs and beyond

Bayside: July 4 – The village's annual parade starts at 9 a.m. at Bayside Middle School. Kids are encouraged to decorate their bikes and join in the procession (plan to gather at the school around 8:45). Festivities follow at Ellsworth Park and include Bayside's Best Dog Competition.

Brookfield: July 4 – A parade for the city begins at 10 a.m. on July 4 running on Calhoun Road between North Avenue and Gebhardt Road. The city's annual Ice Cream Social and ceremony follows the parade in the Civic Plaza between City Hall and the Safety building. Mitchell Park hosts Family Fest from 6 to 9 p.m. on July 4 with family-oriented activities. The city's fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. in Mitchell Park. The Town of Brookfield will also host another parade at 9 a.m., running from Elmbrook Church to Marx Park, where there will be ice cream, games, cotton candy, a pie-eating contest, brats, burgers, and hot dogs.

Brown Deer: July 4 – This year's Fourth of July celebration will be held at Village Park and features a hometown parade, games, bingo, and a fireworks display. Musical entertainment includes Andrea and the Mods and the Marydel Rae Duo.

Butler: July 4 – Stake out a spot between 127th Street and Arden Place and Frontier Park to catch the parade at 2 p.m. There's a Fire Department Breakfast, swap meet, garden walk, and more. Fireworks light up the park at dusk.

Cedarburg: July 4 – The day kicks off early with the Dennis Krzykowski Memorial 5K Family Run at 8:30 a.m. at Cedar Creek park. A community parade starts at 10 a.m. at Firemen's Park and runs south along Washington Avenue. It's followed by festivities at Cedar Creek Park, including music, a daylong picnic, and children's activities. Fireworks light up the sky at 9:30 p.m. Page 1 of 2 (view all on one page)

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