Another big change is coming to Wauawtosa's July 4 celebrations in 2027. The city's traditional North Avenue route for the Independence Day Parade will be moving south, to Wisconsin Avenue.
The change of locations was prompted by an upcoming construction project on North Avenue. The city is scheduled to reconstruct that key east-west thoroughfare from Wauwatosa Avenue to the Menomonee River in 2028 and 2029, though preliminary road work will upend the longstanding parade route starting in 2027.
The Wauwatosa Civic Celebration Commission, a volunteer body that plans the city's celebrations for July 4 and other holidays, met Oct. 22 at City Hall to discuss options for next year's festivities. The commission voted to plan for a parade route on Wisconsin Avenue between 84th and 60th streets.
The commission also has been deliberating over a fireworks plan, after the city resumed its popular July 4 display in 2026 but at a new location, at the Wisconsin Lutheran College sports complex off Swan Boulevard. Reviews for that location have been positive, and the commission expects to bring the fireworks back there in 2027.
David Paulsen
The scheduling for 2027 also has been an issue. This year's parade and fireworks occurred on the same day, July 4, making for a busy day for the city's emergency personnel. The Wauwatosa Police Department has recommended breaking the two events apart on separate days, to help ease the staffing crunch.
In response, the commission is planning next year to organize fireworks in the evening on July 3, a Saturday, and will schedule the parade on July 5, a Monday. Those plans also likely will include an afternoon program of activities on July 5 at Hart Park.
