Wauwatosa's Fourth is a full day of fun

With Tosa Tonight and the city's Fourth of July parade and fireworks happening all on one day, Friday will be busy for those Wauwatosans in a celebratory frame of mind.

The theme of this year's Independence Day, the city's 81st annual celebration, is "A Monumental Fourth."

It begins with the annual parade starting at 9 a.m. It runs in reverse this year, moving west on North Avenue from 80th Street to 104th Street. Staging for the parade will take place in the City Hall parking lot, south of the building, at about 76th and North.

More than 75 units are expected, making it one of the largest parades in the state. New entries this year include several first-time marching bands, floats, veterans associations, antique automobiles, and more.

Parade highlights

Some parade highlights include:

· Parade marshal Cecelia Gore executive director of the Brewers Community Foundation.

· 2013 Distinguished Citizen Maureen Badding, selected for her past community service and leading Tosa's All-City Read program.

· Wisconsin Submarine Veterans and a one-tenth scale version of the USS Wisconsin.

· Genesis Drum & Bugle Corps from Austin, Texas.

· Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.

· Samba unit.

· Sterling & Brass Quintet.

· Brookfield Civic Band.

· Green Beret Youth Band from Janesville.

· Wauwatosa East High School Band.

· Wauwatosa West High School Band.

Family fun at Hart Park

Festivities continue at Hart Park, 7300 Chestnut St., with a Family Fun evening beginning at 4 p.m. Inflatables, rides, food and music will be available.

Tosa Tonight, moved from its usual Wednesday night to Friday this week to coincide with the Fourth, begins at the Rotary stage with pom and dance performances. The main act, Jason D. Williams, beginning at 7:40 p.m., is described as "a raw, vintage boogie" musical performer.

Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:15 p.m. in the parking lot south of Hart Park stadium. In the event of rain, the fireworks will be launched on Saturday, July 5.

Tosa Tonights events

Upcoming dates and acts at Tosa Tonight, presented by Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, all on Wednesday nights, are:

July 9: Hugh Bob & the Hustle; Daniel and the Lion.

July 23: Concord Chamber Orchestra; Easy Days Barbershop Quartet.

August 13: Scythian; Tallymoore.

August 20: Streetlife; Jackson Park Orchestra.

August 27: Naima Adedepo; Evan Christian & The Stinkies.

All concerts are free to the public and family appropriate. Opening acts begin at 6 p.m. with the main act at 7:30 p.m. Concerts are held rain or shine, but may be canceled due to severe weather. Food and beverages are available.