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July 4, 2026 lands on a Saturday. That alone would be enough to get people excited, but this year carries extra weight: it’s America’s 250th birthday. The semiquincentennial. Half a millennium since the Declaration of Independence, and Price County is not phoning it in.
Three communities (Phillips, Park Falls, and Ogema) are hosting July 4 celebrations on the actual day. Fifield follows with fireworks on July 5, then goes big the following weekend with a sesquicentennial community picnic July 10-11. If you’re counting, that’s four fireworks shows across two weekends in a county with fewer than 14,000 residents.
Here’s what’s happening, where to be, and when to show up.
Phillips: The Biggest Show in Town History
Phillips is going all out for 2026. The town turns 150 this September, and the July 4 celebration doubles as a birthday party for both the country and the city.
Full schedule, Saturday July 4:
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 a.m. | Spirit of America 5K Run/Walk | Elk Lake Park |
| 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Art & More on the Lakeshore craft and vendor fair, plus Phillips Children’s Museum | Elk Lake Park |
| 10:00 a.m. | Moose Lodge Kids’ Bingo | Elk Lake Park area |
| 11:00 a.m. | Live music by Reunited | Elk Lake Park |
| 2:00 p.m. | Parade | Lake Avenue |
| 5:00 p.m. | Hot dog eating contest | Elk Lake Park |
| 6:00 p.m. | Live music by Adam Calvert | Elk Lake Park |
| 10:00 p.m. | Fireworks by Palas Pyro | Elk Lake Park |
The headline: Phillips claims this will be the largest Independence Day fireworks show ever in the city, roughly four times larger than previous years. Palas Pyro, LLC, run by Phillips High School graduate Matt Palas, is using an electronic, high-tech launching system for the display. If you’ve seen Elk Lake fireworks before, forget what you know. This is a different scale.
Rain date: July 5.
Where to watch: Elk Lake Park is ground zero, but Burgers Bar & Grill in Phillips is a solid viewing spot if you want to sit down with a meal while the show goes off over the lake.
Park Falls: VFW Breakfast to Fireworks
Park Falls runs a full-day celebration sponsored by Forward Area Sportsmen’s, the American Legion Auxiliary, North Lakes Credit Union, and SuperOne. It starts early and ends at dusk.
Full schedule, Saturday July 4:
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. | VFW Breakfast |
| 11:30 a.m. | Food and bake sale (corn roast, brats, burgers, fruit kabobs, beverages) |
| 12:00 p.m. (noon) | Parade (starts at Church, ends at Division) |
| 1:00 p.m. | Kids’ games: Joe Oskvarik’s Disc Golf, Fishpond Contest by Flambeau Area Sportsmen’s |
| 1:00 p.m. | Horseshoe Tournament (team sign-up begins) |
| 5:00 p.m. | Live music by Twisted Whisker |
| Dusk | Fireworks at Birch Street / Athletic Fields |
The parade route runs from Church to Division, a short walk through downtown Park Falls. The afternoon is built around family activities, with the horseshoe tournament drawing a competitive crowd every year. Twisted Whisker takes the stage at 5 p.m. and plays until fireworks.
If you want to volunteer or get involved, message Kathy Clark on Facebook. She’s the point person organizing the celebration.
Ogema: 150 Years and Counting
Ogema’s celebration is evening-focused and runs by the Depot in downtown Ogema. The Ogema Area Our Town Association (OAOTA) is hosting, and 2026 is a milestone: the Town of Ogema is celebrating its 150th anniversary at this event.
Full schedule, Saturday July 4:
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 p.m. | Festivities begin: 50/50 raffle, basket raffles (need not be present to win) | The Depot, Downtown Ogema |
| 7:00 p.m. | Ice cream and popcorn | The Depot |
| Dusk | Fireworks | Ogema |
Raffle tickets are available ahead of time at Raab’s Extra Innings and The Rail Trail Cafe if you want to get in early. This is a smaller, community-focused celebration. The kind where you know half the people there by name.
Fifield: Two Weekends, Two Celebrations
Fifield splits its Independence Day festivities across two weekends.
July 5: Fireworks at Movrich Park
The regular annual fireworks display lights up over Movrich Park at dusk on Sunday, July 5. No parade, no festival, just the show. A good option if you spent Saturday in Phillips or Park Falls and want a second night of fireworks.
July 10-11: Sesquicentennial Community Picnic
This is the big one. The Town of Fifield turns 150 (founded 1876), and the community is throwing a two-day party at Movrich Park:
– Friday, July 10: Street dance
– Saturday, July 11: Parade, museum activities, live music, family activities, and what organizers are calling a “bigger than ever fireworks show” at dusk
Activities are planned along State Highway 13, the main route through Fifield. If you’re spending the July 4 weekend in Price County, this gives you a reason to stick around (or come back) the following weekend.
Music in the Park: Summer Series Kickoff
Price County’s Music in the Park summer concert series kicks off on July 4. The full 2026 lineup has been posted to the Price County Music in the Park Facebook page. This is a free, family-friendly concert series that runs throughout the summer. If you’re at any of the July 4 celebrations, check whether the Music in the Park schedule overlaps with your location.
Prentice
Will have fireworks on July 3rd
What About Catawba, and Kennan?
These three communities don’t have their own July 4 events. Here’s what residents do instead:
– Catawba held its summer community parade on June 13 (VFW Post 8491 marched in it). For July 4, residents typically drive 10 minutes to Ogema or 20 minutes to Phillips.
– Kennan has an American Legion Auxiliary Unit 362 but no July 4 celebration posted. At around 125 residents, the community is small enough that most people head to Catawba or Prentice for gatherings.
Palas Pyro Fireworks Tent in Prentice
Want to set off your own show (legally, on private property, following local ordinances)? Palas Pyro, the same company doing the Phillips fireworks display, runs a retail tent in Prentice at Highway 8 and County Road A. It’s open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily from June 8 through July 6.
Mention “My Price County” at the tent for 10% off your purchase.
Nearby July 4 Events Outside Price County
If you’re willing to drive 30-45 minutes, there are more options:
Winter July Jubilee (Sawyer County, ~45 min from Phillips): July 3-4 on N Park St. Kiddie parade, grand parade, craft vendors, inflatables, food vendors, live music, pie social, and a large fireworks show at dusk. Winter goes hard for a town of 900 people.
Other nearby fireworks, mostly 30-60 minutes from Price County:
| Town | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Abbotsford | Red Arrow Park | July 4 |
| Loyal | West Side Park | July 3 |
| Neillsville | Clark County Fairgrounds | July 4 |
| Mead Lake | South Boat Landing | July 5 |
| Stanley | Chapman Park | July 5 |
| Thorp | Northside Park | July 6 |
| Shawano | Shawano Airport | July 3 |
| Tigerton | High School | July 4 |
| Gresham | Veterans Park | July 5 |
Tips for the Weekend
Parking. Elk Lake Park in Phillips gets crowded. Arrive early for the 2 p.m. parade if you want a spot close to the action. Lake Avenue closes for the parade route.
Bring cash. Small-town events run on cash. Food vendors, raffle tickets, and craft fair booths may not take cards. There’s an ATM at SuperOne in Park Falls and several banks on Lake Avenue in Phillips.
Bug spray. It’s northern Wisconsin in July. The mosquitoes don’t care about your celebration. Bring DEET.
Lawn chairs. You’ll need them for parades (all three towns), outdoor music (Phillips, Park Falls, Ogema), and fireworks viewing everywhere.
Weather backup. Phillips has a rain date of July 5. Park Falls and Ogema don’t list rain dates, so check their Facebook pages the morning of if the forecast looks rough.
See also: our guide to free camping in Wisconsin When you want a hot meal after camping, Ripsaw Saloon in Prentice is open Thu–Sun from 2 PM.
See also: our 48-hour Price County itinerary
See also: our complete lodging guide for Price County
See also: what makes Price County communities special
See also: our weekend weather preview
See also: Price County Fair 2026 in Phillips
See also: our guide to every town in Price County
FAQ
Is July 4, 2026 a federal holiday?
Yes. July 4 falls on a Saturday, so federal offices close on Friday, July 3. Post offices, banks, and government buildings will be closed July 3-4.
Which Price County town has the best fireworks?
Phillips is claiming the largest show in city history this year, with Palas Pyro’s electronic launching system. Park Falls and Ogema both have traditional displays. Fifield’s sesquicentennial show on July 11 is being billed as “bigger than ever.” If you want maximum fireworks, hit Phillips on July 4 and Fifield on July 11.
Can I buy fireworks in Price County?
Yes. The Palas Pyro tent in Prentice (Hwy 8 & County Road A) is open June 8 through July 6, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Say “My Price County” for 10% off. Wisconsin allows certain consumer fireworks, but check local ordinances before lighting anything.
What time do the parades start?
Phillips: 2:00 p.m. on Lake Avenue. Park Falls: noon, from Church to Division. Ogema: no parade (evening celebration only). Fifield: parade on July 11 as part of the sesquicentennial picnic.
Are these events free?
All the community celebrations (Phillips, Park Falls, Ogema, Fifield) are free to attend. Food, raffle tickets, and vendor purchases cost money. The Spirit of America 5K in Phillips likely has a registration fee (check the Phillips Chamber site closer to the date).
Where should I stay?
Phillips has the most lodging options if you want to be central. Check our cabin rental guide for vacation rentals in the area. If you’re coming for the Fifield sesquicentennial, book early. Small towns fill up fast for milestone celebrations.
The Bottom Line
Three towns celebrating on the same day. Four fireworks shows across two weekends. America’s 250th birthday, Phillips’ 150th, Ogema’s 150th, and Fifield’s 150th all converging on the same week. If you live in Price County, you don’t need to drive south for a show. If you’re visiting, pick a town, show up early, and bring a lawn chair.
See also: Price County Summer Events Calendar 2026 for the full season lineup, and our cabin rentals guide if you need a place to stay.
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Sources: Price County Fun Facebook group, Ogema Wisconsin Facebook page, My Northern Wisconsin, WAOW fireworks guide, Price County Music in the Park Facebook page, Phillips Area Chamber of Commerce.
Last updated: June 22, 2026