Tosa Prepares for an All-Day Independence Day

Wauwatosa's all-day Independence Day Celebration begins Monday morning with one of the bigger parades held anywhere in Wisconsin and ends late in the evening with a large-scale fireworks show. In between will be plenty of family activities.

Mayfair Mall is the staging area for the parade of more than 75 units, including marching bands, floats, veterans' associations, antique autos and Special Olympians.

The 78th annual parade, themed One Nation, One People, begins at 9 a.m. at 104th Street and proceeds east on North Avenue to 80th Street.

This year’s parade marshals are Judy and Mike Doyle, founders of Tosa Skateboarders United, and Wauwatosa's 2010 Distinguished Citizen, Carolyn Dressler.

After the parade, events move to Hart Park, 7300 W. Chestnut St., with activities beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Children are invited to bring decorated doll buggies, tricycles, bicycles and coaster wagons for their own parade starting a 1 p.m., with free ice cream for all participants.

At 1:30 p.m., there will be poms, esprit corps and juggling performances, and at 2:30 p.m. games and races begin.

Jo Don Farms will offer pony and camel rides and a petting zoo until 3 p.m., and Music On The Move will feature inflatable rides and musical entertainment until 9 p.m.

There will also be shows by the Milwaukee Public Theatre Performers, and the Wauwatosa Lion’s Club will sponsor a beverage tent.

The fireworks show, sponsored by Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin, begin at 9:15 p.m. Fireworks will be launched from 70th Street, near the bridge, and can be viewed best from the open area between 70th and 72nd streets in the park.

Parade route rules

The parade route on North Avenue will be closed to regular traffic at 7:30 a.m.

Wauwatosa has adopted the following policy for enforcement of right-of-way encroachment during the days preceding the Independence Day parade along North Avenue:

• No portion of the public way may be obstructed by chairs, blankets, tape, rope or any other type of device before 6 a.m. on the day of the parade. The public way includes all sidewalks, areas between curb and sidewalk, and also the grassy boulevard along the parade route.

• Items placed out prior to 6 a.m. on the day of the parade may be confiscated without notice. The city retains the right to dispose of these items.

• Unattended items in the street may also be confiscated.

• A person at least 12 years of age should be present if weather conditions warrant an attendant to ensure that items remain on the curb and off the street.