Independence Celebration

2026 Celebration

Thursday, July 2: 5 to 11 pm
Friday, July 3: 3 to 11 pm (8 am-12 pm Pickleball Challenge only & 12 pm Carnival only)
Saturday, July 4: 10:30 am to 11 pm
Sunday, July 5: Carnival Only, 12 to 4 pm

Lions Legend Park
(Loomis Road & Drexel Avenue)

2026 Independence Celebration Preview

Franklin Civic Celebration Annual Parade

Family fun for all ages including great food, carnival rides, children's activities, music, fireworks, parade, and much more!

Franklin Pickleball Challenge—Friday, July 3, 8 am to 12 Noon - Organized by the Franklin Civic Celebration

Play in the fun-for-all 2026 Franklin Pickleball Challenge at Lions Legend Park, Franklin, WI. Teams of 2 players per team. No fees, no prizes. You can pre-register by email or register the day of the event at 8 am. Competition begins at 9 am. There will be two brackets: Beginner/Intermediate (Bracket 1) and Intermediate/Advanced (Bracket 2). All doubles players play together as a team throughout the challenge in their bracket and are guaranteed up to 5 games. Sign-up as a TEAM of 2 or as a FREE AGENT. To pre-register, email jbergner@sbcglobal.net with your names (team of 2) or name (free agent), phone number, and your choice of Bracket 1 or Bracket 2. If a team of 2, you can also enter a team name. Limit of 32 participants per bracket; pre-register to guarantee a spot. Questions, call or text John Bergner at 414-881-5863.

Parades—Saturday, July 4

Children’s Parade: No registration required. Decorated bikes, wagons, and strollers encouraged (no motorized vehicles allowed). Participants to gather at 9:45 am at the Franklin Police Department parking lot, 9455 W. Loomis Road, to enjoy a “Kids Are People Too!” interactive show with hula hoops and super soakers before the children’s parade begins at 10:30 am.

Main Independence Parade - Dan Crass, Grand Marshal: Begins at 11 am. Route: Begins at the corner of W. Forest Hill Avenue and W. Loomis Road, turns right onto W. Loomis Road to right onto W. Drexel Avenue, and then ends at Lions Legend Park. We welcome and encourage all local area scout troops, churches, youth groups, booster clubs, and civic organization groups to participate. For parade information or to request a registration form (required for Main Parade only), contact Ann Adamski at FranklinParade@gmail.com or 414-690-7340. Registration is required by June 15th.

Ice Cream Social and Kids Activities:

After the parade, on City Hall’s north lawn, enjoy free ice cream cups, free face painting and balloon art for kids under 16, and take in a “Kids Are People Too!” show!

Historical Area Building Tours:

The historical area buildings will be open for tours on July 4, from 1 to 4:30 pm, for all to experience local history.

Live Music Line-Up:

Thursday, July 2: Get the celebration started with the most popular area band Bella Cain.
Friday, July 3: Enjoy one of Wisconsin's best 80s rock band from Appleton - The Glam Band.
Saturday, July 4: Afternoon performance by The 5 Card Studs, playing 60s pop and soul and 70s rock, followed by the region's premier rocking country band, Road Crew, in the evening.

Eleven Delicious Food Vendors:

3B Concessions, Uncle Fred’s Foods, Wisconsin Fried Cheese, Franklin Noon Lions Club, Badger Sweet Corn, Dairy Queen, Dionigi’s, Billy Sims BBQ, Kona Shaved Ice, Marcos Pizza, and Romero’s Taco Truck.

Other Entertainment:

Granny’s Free Bingo: Play Bingo for free to win prizes—Friday, July 3, from 3 to 6 pm in the Main tent!
FunFlicks Large Video Screen Entertainment: On-site Saturday, July 4, from 12 to 8 pm.
Carnival Rides: Operating during all hours of the festival. Wristband hours, Friday and Sunday, July 3 and 5, from 12 to 4 pm, offering unlimited rides for $25. Tickets and wristbands sold on carnival grounds.

FIREWORKS—Light the Night! Fantastic Fireworks will fascinate at 9:30 pm on Saturday, July 4!
250-Year USA Commemorative T-Shirts:
250-year USA commemorative T-shirts (emblems are shown larger for viewing purposes) will be available for sale for $20 each at the festival during festival operating hours. If unable to attend the festival, T-shirts can be ordered through July 10th by emailing tshirtorder4franklin@gmail.com and an order form will be sent to you. Ordered t-shirts will be delivered to you after the festival.
Volunteers Needed:

Sign-up online to serve beverages in the beer tent (must be 21+) or sell tickets in an air-conditioned booth, fill out the Volunteer Sign-Up Form and mail to the address on the form or scan/email it, or contact Lisa Marie Fallico at 414-840-3969 to register.