2008

The Fourth of July is just around the corner. We are very excited about this year’s celebration. We have the same great kiddie games for those 6 and under. We have stage games and field games for older kids and adults. The egg toss is always popular and has become very competitive in recent years. Our Adult Waterfight Tournament is going into its 14th year. But we are the most excited the Fireworks Display. Every year we tinker with the format and make improvements to the show.

The Fire Department and the Village have a full day planned. Below is your detailed schedule of events (click HERE for a printer-friendly version). Village residents, please watch your mail box for our fund-raising letter. It contains information on how you can make the Fourth of July extra special by becoming a "fireworks fan-atic" and sponsoring part of this year’s Fireworks Display.

Independence Day Dance - Kick o ff the weekend with our traditional, and ever so popular, Independence Day Dance.  Join us at the Fire Station on Thursday, July 3rd from 8:30 pm until 11:30 pm for an evening of music and fun.  A live DJ will be spinning discs for all tastes and ages.  Typically the earlier part of the evening is dedicated to more nostalgic tunes. Grab your friends and neighbors and dance the night away.  As always, admission is free to all.  Refreshments will be available at nominal cost.  Children are welcome!

Friday, July 4th . . .
Softball Game - The traditional 4th of July Softball Game begins at 9:00 am on the ball diamond north of the School.  The game has evolved from the “Married vs. Singles” game of the past to and East / West battle for Village supremacy.  Bring your bats, balls and gloves and join in the fun.

Bake Sale - Join your neighbors and friends at the Fire Station for co ff ee and baked goods between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm.  At the Shorewood Hills Community League’s Annual Bake Sale you will find numerous tasty treats prepared by Village residents.  You might just find that perfect desert for your holiday dinner.  Set-up begins at 8:00 am. You may drop-o ff your donated confections from 8:00 am to 10:00 am for pricing.

Village Art Fair - The Village is full of talented artists working in various mediums.  Stop by the Fire Station from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm to view art work created by your friends and neighbors.  Residents may contact Bill Muehl (muehl@tds.net / 238-7611) if you'd like to show your work.

Fire Department Photo - Each year the volunteer firefighters gather in front of the Station to take a Department Portrait.  Getting them all together for a few seconds to take the picture is like herding cats and is often very comical.  The motley “line-up” is at 1:00 pm before the parade.

Parade - The children's parade this year will follow a different path due to the road construction on Shorewood Boulevard .  The parade will start at the Heiden Haus promptly at 1:30 pm (start lining up at 1:15 pm).  The theme for this year’s parade is Think Green! (as in environmental green).  The tentative parade route will be Harvard Drive east to Yale Road , around the corner to Columbia Road south back to the Heiden Haus.  Helium balloons and popsicles will be given out to “kids”, both young and old, following the parade.  Participants will be grouped into the following categories: Patriotic; Humorous; Decorated Bikes, Trikes and Wagons; and Theme Floats.  Sorry, no automobiles allowed without special permission in advance.

Games - A variety of stage games, field events, and booth games follow the Parade.  There is something for all ages, including the popular egg toss and fire truck rides – all adults on fire truck rides must be accompanied by a child (☺).  Although these events are all free, don't forget to bring a little money along for baked goods and beverages.

Walking Tour of the Village - Join Tom Brock for a walking tour of the Village.  The tour is an historic overview of the Village pointing out architecture styles and other items of interest.  The tour will leave from the Fire Station at 2:00 pm (after the parade), take about 1½ to 2 hours and be done long before the beginning of the Family Picnic.

Waterfights - This will be the 14th year the Fire Department has hosted an Adult Waterfight Tournament.  Some fun, funny and competitive matches have been fought over the years.  Gather your friends and family, practice in you back yard with a garden hose and prepare to battle for glory and prestige.  Registration forms are available at the Village Hall, Fire Station or click HERE (please sign up early, space is limited).  The Champs may compete against our rookie Firefighters, if they dare.  We’ll have waterfights for kids after the other field events have been completed and before the Adult Waterfight Tournament.

Family Picnic - Do you want to see your Village Board and other officials really work for you? Come to the Family Picnic on the school grounds across from the Fire Station.  From 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm traditional favorites like brats, burgers, hot dogs and other tasty treats will be available for a small fee.  Soft drinks and other refreshments will be available at the Fire Station.  Get together with family and friends, bring dishes to pass in your group and you've got a first rate picnic dinner with a minimum of fuss.  Don't forget to bring along your own napkins, plates, eating utensils and a trash bag.  Please dispose of your trash and recycling properly.

Fireworks - Put a finishing touch on a great day by joining us at the Blackhawk Country Club at dusk (about 9:00 pm) for our Annual Fireworks Display.  The volunteers of the Fire Department began setting up and shooting the fireworks show at Blackhawk in 1948.  Over the last 60 years the show has evolved to be bigger, better and safer.  This year’s show should be excellent.  We always have a surprise or two up our sleeves.  While there is no charge for the show, donations are heartily encouraged and will be solicited at the Country Club.  If you enjoy the show, please help!  Contributions can be made at any time to the “Shorewood Hills Fireworks Fund”.  Mail contributions to: 810 Shorewood Boulevard , Madison , WI 53705 .

Fireworks Ra ff le - Would you like to join in the fireworks fun by firing o ff the start of the show?  The Fire Department will be raffling o ff that privilege at the Independence Day Dance on Friday night.  Ra ff le tickets will be $1 each with a limit of 10 tickets per person.  They will be available during the dance (July 3rd).

Madison Municipal Band - We welcome back the Madison Municipal Band.  The popular 65 piece, world renown, concert band, under the direction of Je ff Peronto, will entertain us again this year at the Country Club from about 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm before the fireworks.  Many of the band members are professional union musicians, so there is some cost involved in having them play at Blackhawk.  The Fire Department Association will be soliciting donations for fireworks and contributions to cover the band costs.  If you would like to make a donation specifically for the band please indicate that on your check.

Rhythm & Booms - “The Midwest ’s largest fireworks display” will be held on Saturday, June 28th at Warner Park.  The one-day celebration includes carnival rides, bingo tent, Oldies and Blues music stages and much more before the fireworks show.  Check out the Rhythm & Booms website for more information (www.rhythmandbooms.com).  We still think our Fireworks show is the “best” show around but even our Fire Department volunteers enjoy watching the “biggest” show in the Midwest .

We hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable Independence Day Celebration! If you have any questions about the events, please call the Fire Station at 267-2680.

** The Village o ff ices will be closed on Friday, July 4th in observance of the holiday **

Printable Schedule of Events | Fire Department Home Page | Village Home Page