4th of July Fireworks in Walworth County

Summer is officially underway meaning Fourth of July is right around the corner.  Here are all of the Fireworks and special events throughout Walworth County to celebrate Independence Day.  

Burlington | July 4,
Chocolate Fest Grounds
Join us at the Chocolate Fest Grounds for a fireworks spectacular! The show begins at nightfall. Social distancing is strongly encouraged to enjoy the show safely.

Burlington – Brown’s Lake | July 4,
Fischer Park
Enjoy the show by land or lake at the Brown’s Lake 4th of July Fireworks. Enjoy the dazzling fireworks display starting at 9:30 pm.

Town of Delavan | June 27
Community Park, Hwy 50 & South Shore Drive, Delavan
Head on down to Community Park and enjoy an afternoon in the park while feasting on food truck finds and enjoying live music. The fireworks will begin at 9:30 pm.

Elkhorn | July 3
Sunset Park
Celebrate Independence Day the Elkhorn way with fireworks at Sunset Park. Social distancing is encouraged. Those wishing to view the show in an alternative format can tune into the live stream on the Elkhorn Recreation Department’s Facebook Page.

Lauderdale Lakes | July 4
Don Jean Bay
The annual Lauderdale Lakes Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular is ON! Sponsored by the Lauderdale Lakes Yacht Club, the show will begin at dusk over Don Jean Bay.

Whitewater | July 4
Cravath Lakefront Park
Fireworks over Whitewater will come alive at 10 pm on Saturday, July 4th and will be visible in the Cravath Lakefront Park as well as the grassy hill commonly known as “killer hill.” The city kindly asks that all community members choosing to enjoy the fireworks still follow social distancing guidelines in remaining six feet away from individuals not a part of their household and strongly encourage that all attendees of the show wear a face cover.

Pell Lake – Bloomfield | July 4
Over Pell Lake
Fireworks over Pell Lake will come alive at 9:30 pm on Saturday, July 4th. The community kindly asks that all community members choosing to enjoy the fireworks still follow social distancing guidelines.

Geneva National Resort | July 4
Geneva National Shoreline – Resort Guests, Members, and Residents Only
Due to social distancing our 4th of July celebration will be ONLY BE AVAILABLE to Geneva National Members, Geneva National Community residents, and overnight guests at the Suites & Cottages. Sparks will fly July 4th at Geneva National with a shoreline fireworks display exclusively for our overnight resort guests, Member’s Club and Geneva National Community. With space to spare, you can spread out socially distanced on our driving range and revel in this dazzling holiday display. Beforehand, enjoy 18 holes of legendary golf topped by an East Coast lobster boil or an à la carte barbecue menu from turf. kitchen + tap and live music by Milwaukee’s own Zach Pietrini Band. Ba-boom!

Grand Geneva Resort | July 3
Grand Geneva Hillside – Resort Guests and Reservations Only
The sky over Grand Geneva explodes for the annual Independence Day fireworks show. Please observe social distancing when finding your seat on the hillside. A reservation number for an overnight stay, dinner reservation, tee time or spa appointment, and a photo id will be required to gain access to the resort campus on July 3rd. Guests should be prepared to present this information to security upon arrival at the resort entrance.

Eight Essentials for Your Ultimate Picnic Basket

These days we could all use a good old fashioned picnic in the park.  You know the quintessential summertime staple complete with checkered picnic blankets, wicker baskets, and birds chirping in the skies above. Whether you’re surrounded by playgrounds or in your own backyard, all you truly need are these few picnic essentials that you can find right here in Walworth County to built the ultimate picnic basket:

#1: The Basket – First things first, You can’t have a picnic without a proper picnic basket! Shop with The Cornerstone Shop and Gallery and find your perfect picnic set! Pick up a dirt-resistant picnic blanket from Mudpie and a corkcicle bottle perfect for chilling entire bottles of wine on the go! 

# 2: The Food – Did you know that Americans eat more than 300 million sandwiches every day? As the perfect portable meal, be sure to pack one in your picnic basket!  Pick up your favorite hoagie from The Cheese Box in Lake Geneva! With countless Wisconsin cheeses, deli meats, and toppings, the possibilities are endless. 

For our vegan and vegetarian friends, stop by River Valley Ranch in Burlington for alternative picnic options! Savor portabella tamales and cranberry pistachio granola on your next picnic. 

#3: The Condiments – If your taste buds are a little more adventurous, pick up some kickin’ condiments and gourmet garnishes from Lake Geneva Cannery in Delavan to add that extra oomph to your sandwich smorgasbord. While you’re there, peruse their selection of jams, dressings, and seasonings to use in your kitchen all year long.

#4: The Fruits – No picnic is complete without fresh strawberries.  Swing by Apple Barn Orchard and Winery in Elkhorn starting June 17th for the freshest berries picked right from the fields.  You can even call ahead and pre-order your berries for curbside pickup!

#5: The Drinks – Don’t forget to pack the drinks! Stop by The Bottle Shop to grab some soda pop! Try classics such as Green River or sip on something with a snap like Jelly Belly Pear.  If soda pop is not quite your style, choose from their ever growing selections of beer and wine.  Cheers to another perfect picnic staple!

#6: The Dessert – Finish your meal with a little something sweet! Indulge in a freshly baked sweet treat from Lake Geneva Pie Company for your picnic date.  Whether you prefer pecan or peanut butter, the perfect pie is waiting for you!

#7: The Flowers – Set the scene with some fresh flowers from Pesche’s Greenhouse! Fresh cut flowers and picnics just belong together don’t you think? 

#8: The Snacks – A picnic isn’t a picnic without a whole bunch of snacks.  Pick up a charcuterie tray from Staller Estate Winery and munch on gourmet cheeses and premium cured meats with all the accoutrements. 

What will you be packing in your picnic basket? Share with us in the comments below.  For the perfect place to picnic be sure to check out our list of parks and outdoor recreation areas across Walworth County on our website.  

Summer Eats and Sweet Treats

Summertime and the eating’s easy.  With the temperatures on the rise and the sun shining bright, there has never been a better time to dine in Walworth County! Here is our official guide to summer eats and sweet treats perfect for die hard foodies and the pickiest of eaters.

Summer Eats

Forget summer reading lists and instead build a summer eating list!  Here are just a few of our favorite locales for fresh takes on old favorites, summer flavors, and lighter fares.  

East Troy Brewery: Located on the historic East Troy Village Square, East Troy Brewery has made their mark on the Walworth County landscape of flavors.  Nosh on hearth roasted elote or bbq nachos followed by a pear and bacon panini or Asian inspired little wing pizza.  Be sure to pair your meal with one of their 12 in-house brews! Stop in on a Saturday and you might even get a chance to try their smash-hit smoothie beers.

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Dinner – Drinks – Outdoor Seating – Brewery

The Black Sheep: Chef Tyler Salisbury loves doing things a little differently at The Black Sheep in Whitewater. Serving up local and unique flavors from around Wisconsin and across the word, you can find menu items including steak, lamb, vegan, salmon, and so much more sourced from local farms.  With menu items changing monthly, your taste buds will never experience the same thing twice. Branch out an sip on craft cocktails, mock-tails, and kombucha or enjoy a classic Wisconsin Old Fashioned or glass of wine.  You are not  going to want to miss the summer at The Black Sheep.  

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Dinner – Drinks – Farm to Table

Crafted Pizza and Tap: Dig in and drink up at Lake Geneva’s newest restaurant.  At Crafted Pizza and Tap, handcrafted isn’t just the flavor of the month, but its a way of life.  With premium ingredients, curious combinations, and locally sourced fixings, this is pizza you’ve never experienced before.  Indulge on “Nana’s Pie”  featuring meatballs and caramelized onions, sample rosemary chicken confit “What the Cluck”, or savor a classic “Oven Dried Margherita”.   Save a little room for a refreshing Limoncello Sorbet with fresh basil for an after dinner treat.

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Lunch – Dinner – Drinks

Gordy’s Surf Shack: Don’t you hate it when you spend a day at the beach and totally forget to pack a lunch?  Walk up, bike up, or swim up to Gordy’s Surf Shack, where they’ve got it totally covered.  Servin’ up beach eats like onion rings, burgers, and tacos, Gordy’s Surf Shack in Fontana is perfect for snacking and pier side picnics.  No shirt or shoes required!

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Lunch – Dinner – Drinks – Lakeside Dining

Pier 290: Whether you’re planning a special dinner with your sweetheart, celebrating a birthday, or just looking for the “lake life” experience, Pier 290 in Williams Bay is the place to dine this summer.  As Lake Geneva’s only on-water restaurant, you can dine on the freshest seafood the area has to offer or delight on their award-winning specialty cuts from the grill.  Pier 290 is the perfect place to enjoy a Lake Geneva sunset and savor the summer.  

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Lunch – Dinner – Drinks – Lakeside Dining

The Trout House at Rushing Waters: Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Kettle Moraine Forest, The Trout House at Rushing Waters is more than another great restaurant; its a mouthwatering farm-to-fork culinary experience.  With seasonal menus celebrating local ingredients and on-site fishery we can guarantee you’ll never find a similar experience.  You can even hook your own fish and the kitchen will prepare, plate, and present it to you right at your table. Go fish — er– eat!

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Lunch – Dinner – Drinks – Farm to Table

Popeyes On Lake Geneva: It would not be a summer in Lake Geneva without a pilgrimage to Popeyes On Lake Geneva.  Since 1972 Popeye’s has been serving up their famous fish fry, rotisserie style favorites that are not to be missed. There is a reason its always packed and bustling and its simply because it is that good! Enjoy your meal al-fresco on the patio with views of beautiful Geneva Lake and the historic Riviera for a truly authentic summer experience in Walworth County. 

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Lunch – Dinner – Drinks – Outdoor Seating – Lakeside Dining

Ye Olde Hotel Bar: Standing in the center of the Town of Lyons, Ye Olde Hotel is at the heart of the village. Built in 1860, the building has witnessed over a century of history.  In 1969, the Ye Olde Hotel Bar began serving up nostalgic favorites and new classics.  If you’re looking for small town feel, this is the place to be.  Stop by on Wednesdays for “Wing-It Wednesday” deals and enjoy signature boneless and bone in chicken wings and an icy cold glass of beer. 

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Dinner – Historic Dining

Sweet Treats

We hope you saved some room after your dinner for our favorite summer sweet treats perfect for keeping you cool and satisfying that sweet tooth of yours.  

Jones Market Dairy Bar:  A trip to Jones Market Dairy Bar is always one to look forward to. Scooping up small batch ice cream in hand-dipped cones, soda fountain style ice cream floats, and signature sundaes of the month. It’s the cherry on top to a perfect summer day. 

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Royal Oak Farm Orchard: “Donut” forget to stop by Royal Oak Farm Orchard this summer and pick up their famous Apple Cider Donuts.  The most popular item in the bakery is made fresh daily and is the perfect pairing with vanilla ice cream.  Take some home and you can even use them to make apple cider smores! Looking for something a little less sweet? Shop their selection of homemade apple butters, jams, and jellies to enjoy all year round.  

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Stillwater Coffee Company: Who says coffee cannot be a sweet treat too?! Stop by Stillwater Coffee Company in Elkhorn this summer for your ultimate caffeine fix sure to satisfy both your sweet tooth and refined pallet.  For coffee lovers, we suggest the Carmel Delight Frappes.  Non-coffee drinkers will love their refreshing flavored lemonades (we can’t get enough of their peach frozen lemonade slushie).  Cool off and caffeinate today! 

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What will make your foodie bucketlist this summer? Share with us in the comments below.

Bon Appétit!