Stillwater July 4th Fireworks, Parade, More: 2018 Guide

STILLWATER, MN — Celebrate Independence Day this year without leaving town. Residents can enjoy fireworks over the beautiful St. Croix River in downtown Stillwater.

The firework display will begin around 10 p.m. and will be musically choreographed and simulcasted on WDGY FM Radio.

Bands will preform before the fireworks in Lowell Park and Pioneer Park, which are ideal viewing locations.

Remember that several downtown city parking lots (No. 2, 4, 5 and 9) near Lowell Park will be closed July 3 and 4.

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Parking

If you are planning to visit the Stillwater area for Fourth of July festivities and fireworks, parking will be available in both Wisconsin and Minnesota. You will be able to park, if space is available, at the newly completed park and ride lot south of Wisconsin Highway 35 and at the Main Trailhead lot across from the Houlton Elementary School.

Parking also will be available in Wisconsin along specific Town of St. Joseph roadways to then access the Loop Trail to the new St. Croix Crossing bridge.

There will be no facilities (restroom, water, etc.) available in Wisconsin, so plan accordingly. In Minnesota, a limited amount of parking is also available at the new Minnesota Upper Loop Trail parking lot on the east side of Highway 95 just south of downtown Stillwater.

And since the Stillwater Lift Bridge is currently being rehabilitated, there is no access to the Lift Bridge from either Wisconsin or Minnesota. There also is no access to the St. Croix River from Wisconsin since the old Wisconsin Highway 64 and old Co. Rd. E are both closed to the public.

No stopping or parking on the St. Croix Crossing bridge

Stopping to let off passengers or parking on the new St. Croix Crossing bridge is prohibited. Law enforcement officers from both Minnesota and Wisconsin will be present during July 4 activities to keep traffic flowing across the new bridge and on Minnesota Highway 36 and Wisconsin Highway 64.

Highwayy 95 to open before July 4

Highway 95, which has been closed between Highway 36 and Nelson Street south of downtown Stillwater, is expected to be open to traffic by Monday, July 2. The roadway was closed and detoured for installation of new drainage structures beneath the highway near the Oasis Cafe to improve storm water runoff.

Construction of the loop trail system in both Minnesota and Wisconsin continues through this fall. The public is prohibited from entering these construction areas as there are a large number of construction vehicles, uneven terrain, excavation and other unsafe conditions that pose a risk to anyone who does not belong in the work area.

In addition, those who are not working in the project area could be cited for trespassing.

While Stillwater does not have a parade, Afton's 4th of July parade starts at 12:30 p.m. on Main Street.

Patch's 2018 guide to July 4 fireworks in the Twin Cities

If you purchase your own fireworks this year, Minnesota authorities remind you that:

• If it flies or explodes, it's illegal in Minnesota. You could face fines and confiscation of illegal fireworks.
• Use fireworks in an open area away from houses and other structures.
• Don't let children run through the area. They could step on a spent firework that is still hot.
• Use fireworks responsibly, especially around children. Kids mimic your behavior.
• Use a long lighter meant for a gas grill to light fireworks and stay as far from the wick as possible.
• Do not try to re-light a dud. Ever.
• Have a bucket of water nearby; spent sparklers must go into the bucket, not dropped in the grass

Photo by Richard Scinto/Patch