Kenosha July 4th Road Closures Span More Than a Week
If you’re planning to attend the Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade on June 28 or the Celebrate America festival July 3–4, you’ll want to plan your route before you leave home. Kenosha July 4th road closures and traffic restrictions affect a wide stretch of downtown and the lakefront from June 28 through the morning of July 6, touching everything from parking to one-way traffic patterns to island access.
Here’s everything you need to know, day by day.
June 28: Parade Day Road Closures
The Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade presented by Snap-on kicks off Independence Day week on Sunday, June 28. Streets in the parade staging area close beginning at 9 a.m., though access to the annual Mass at the bandshell will be maintained that morning.
The parade route itself closes to traffic at noon. The route begins on Seventh Avenue at Washington Road, travels south through Sixth Avenue downtown, and ends on the west side of Library Park. The parade uses only the southbound lane on Seventh Avenue. Once the route closes at noon, spectators are welcome to sit on the boulevard. The best viewing spots are along Seventh and Sixth avenues before the procession reaches Library Park to disband.
All road closures from the parade are expected to clear by approximately 3:45 p.m.
July 3–6: Celebrate America Traffic Patterns
Beginning at 11 a.m. on July 3, the downtown harbor area shifts to a one-way traffic pattern that stays in effect until 8 a.m. on July 6. Traffic will be directed counter-clockwise in a loop east of Third Avenue, between 54th and 56th Streets, along Calabria Way and continuing to Sixth Avenue.\n\nThis pattern is designed to manage the high volume of vehicles heading to and from the Celebrate America festival, which features two stages of live music, a carnival, food vendors, and more along the harbor.
July 4: Simmons Island Closed to Vehicles
Consistent with recent years, Simmons Island will have no vehicle access or public parking on July 4, at the direction of Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton. Barricades will go up at two points: 50th Street and Seventh Avenue, and Kennedy Drive and 45th Street.
Only residents of Fourth Avenue, the Coast Guard, and those with business at the Kenosha Water Utility, Great Lakes Yacht Sales, or Kenosha Yacht Club will be permitted onto the island by vehicle. All other visitors are welcome — but must walk in.
The closure is intended to improve safety and the overall experience for the thousands of people who visit Simmons Island on July 4.
July 4: Celebration Place Fireworks Closure
On the evening of July 4, the east end of Celebration Place will be fully closed — to both pedestrians and vehicles — from 8:30 to 10 p.m. No traffic will be permitted east of Third Avenue between 56th Street and 54th Street, including Calabria Way, during that window. The closure is a safety measure tied to the Festival Foods Fireworks, which launch at 9:30 p.m. over the lakefront.
July 4: Kennedy Drive Goes One-Way North
To reduce post-fireworks congestion, Kennedy Drive will operate as a one-way northbound route beginning at 8 a.m. on July 4. Traffic will flow north starting at 44th Street, continue through Kennedy Park and Pennoyer Park, and exit at 35th Street. That one-way pattern remains in effect until 1 a.m. on July 5.
RV Parking on July 4
Due to heavy traffic near HarborPark, RVs will be redirected away from the lakefront area. A designated RV parking area has been set up in the vacant lot west of City Hall at 625 52nd St. The lot opens at 6 a.m. on July 4 and can be accessed from 54th Street, east of Sheridan Road. All vehicles must clear the area by 7 a.m. on July 5.
Free Shuttles and Streetcar Service July 4
The city strongly encourages attendees to park downtown — including the parking ramp at Eighth Avenue and 56th Street — and use free transit options to reach the lakefront.
Three free services operate on July 4:
Lakefront Trolley (transit center ↔ Carthage College): The rubber-wheeled trolley will not run its regular lakefront route on July 4. Instead, it will make free runs between the transit center and Carthage College via Seventh Avenue, Alford Park Drive, and Sheridan Road. Service runs from 2 to 11 p.m.
Simmons Island Shuttle: A free 15-minute loop shuttle runs from the transit center at 724 54th St. to Simmons Island Park, from 2 to 9 p.m. This is the easiest way to reach the island without walking the full distance.
Free Streetcar: Kenosha’s electric streetcar operates free of charge from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4, passing through HarborPark east of the museums — one of the best spots for fireworks viewing — and along the harbor where Celebrate America is held.\n\nFor more information on road closures and event details, visit Kenosha.org.
Pictures from the Kenosha July 4th Parade
