New Berlin's Fourth gets even better

New Berlin - All the favorites will be part of the city's three-day Fourth of July celebration, but with some fine-tuned improvements.

New spots for the children's parade and for a wrestling event that proved to be particularly popular in its first incarnation last year are among the improvemements.

Better parading and wrestling

The children's parade will move to the City Hall parking lot, 3805 S. Casper Drive, instead of the Malone Park tennis courts, to give it more room, said Celebrations Committee chairwoman Anida Rose.

"It got so congested because the carnival keeps growing," Rose said, noting that the City Hall location will also afford more parking.

This year's children's parade will also draw a popular element from last year's main parade: the Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages this.

"They were such a hit in the main parade last year," she said.

Of course, the main parade itself is always a hit, Rose noted. In fact, it is such a favorite that people stake out their spots on the parade route along National Avenue between Sunnyslope Road and Malone Park, 16400 W. Al Stigler Parkway, as many as two days before the event and nobody moves the chairs or blankets.

"I think that's something wonderful to say about New Berlin," she said.

Back for a second year will be Brew City wrestling, but it will move to the gazebo area, which should make it cooler than last year's version, when the large crowd of spectators needed almost as much stamina as the wrestlers due to the heat, Rose said.

"I couldn't believe the crowd they drew," Rose said.

Bargain sounds and sights

The new handpicked bands this year include Barefoot and Ricochet, and Cherry Pie, new last year, is coming back. "So many people said 'please, please invite Cherry Pie back,' " Rose said.

The comedy/music show of Pat McCurdy will be back, too, again likely playing for a large crowd, which doesn't have to pay a dime for the show, Rose said, adding that McCurdy commands command $21 tickets in Oconomowoc.

The Wisconsin Singers also have pricey admission, but free tickets are available at the New Berlin City Hall while supplies last. The Wisconsin Singers will perform at 6:30 p.m. at the New Berlin West High School Performing Arts Center, 18695 W. Cleveland Ave. BuySeasons of New Berlin will sponsor the performance.

Fireworks represent another kind of bargain.

Sponsoring the fireworks for the 15th straight year will be Schoeneck Containers of New Berlin. "They are a magnificent company and magnificent group of people," Rose said, "We couldn't afford those kinds of fireworks."

With the economy still tough, Rose acknowledged that she was edgy about how fundraising would go. But individual donors, groups and companies rallied once again to add to the $19,000 the city donates to make the celebration happen, she said.

This is a very patriotic community, Rose said.

"When the flag goes by, they stand up," she said. "You see these little kids seeing their parents stand and put their hands over their hearts."

"It makes your heart sing," she said.

44th FAMILY FESTIVAL

The schedule of festivities, under the theme "New Berlin, America the Beautiful," is as follows:

July 2: Malone Park

5 to 11 p.m. - Grounds open

5 to 11 p.m. - Spectrum Carnival with wristband special, unlimited rides for $16 cash at City Hall cashiers office before July 1, or $20 at the gate

7 to 11 p.m. - Piles of Rhythm (east tent)

8:30 to 11 p.m. - Pat McCurdy (west tent)

6:30 to 9:30 p.m. - Wisconsin Singers (ticket required) sponsored by BuySeasons (New Berlin West High School Performing Arts Center)

July 3: Malone Park

5 to 11 p.m. - Grounds open

5 to 11 p.m. - Spectrum Carnival wristband special

5:30 p.m. - Pie Bake Off check-in (Schoeneck Containers Family Tent)

6 p.m. - Ninth annual Pie Bake Off Judging (entry form at www.newberlin.org) sponsored by Sendik's Food Market, New Berlin

6 p.m. - Kohl's Wild Theater performance (gazebo)

6 to 8 p.m. - Family games and activities for all ages (center of grounds)

7 to 11 p.m. - Rhythm Method (west tent)

7 to 11 p.m. - the Mt. Olive Band (east tent)

9:30 p.m. - New Berlin Fire Department Flashlight Candy Hunt (softball diamonds) for children up to sixth grade who should bring a flashlight and bag

July 4:

9 a.m. - Mini Parade lineup (City Hall main parking lot)

9:30 a.m. - Mini parade sponsored by New Berlin Junior Woman's Club

noon to 11 p.m. - Grounds open

10 to 11:45 a.m. - New Berlin National Dash check-in at Schoeneck Containers Family Tent

noon - New Berlin National Dash 2M Run/Walk or 5K Run sponsored by the New Berlin Junior Woman's Club (entry form at ww.newberlinjuniors.org)

noon to 11 p.m. - Spectrum Carnival

noon to 4 p.m. - Spectrum Carnival wristband special

12:30 to 4:30 p.m. - Barefoot 'N' Bluejeans (west tent)

12:30 to 4:30 p.m. - The Ricochettes (east tent)

1 p.m. - Main parade

3 to 5 p.m. - Happy hour, $2 off pitchers and 50 cents off cups

3 to 7 p.m. - New Berlin Magic vs. New Berlin Heat Girls fastpitch softball (softball diamonds)

3 to 8 p.m. - Jo-Don Farms Petting Zoo

4 to 6 p.m. - Brew City Wrestling (by gazebo)

4:45 p.m. - Anita's Dance Company (east tent)

4:45 p.m. - WMAA Tae Kwon Do Demonstration (west tent)

6 to 10 p.m. - The Toys (west tent)

6 to 10 p.m. - Cherry Pie (east tent)

10 p.m. - Fireworks sponsored by Schoeneck Containers

SHUTTLING AROUND

With 45,000 people expected to participate in the doings, two satellite parking areas have been designated with free shuttles running back and forth to each. One is Ronald Reagan Elementary School, 4225 S. Calhoun Road, and the other is Walmart in the City Center at National Avenue and Moorland Road. The shuttles will run from 3 to 11:30 p.m.