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Community Corner

Packin' It Up for the Parade

Make It a Great Day With Our Five Must-Haves for Racine's 4th Fest.

With this weekend’s temperatures expected to cool off a bit from Friday’s soaring 90s, odds are Racine’s Annual 4th of July Parade will be bright and sunny, so make a day of it. With that in mind, Patch put together a Top 5 list of essentials to pack along. And it looks like you can leave your umbrella at home.

The pre-parade starts at 8:30 a.m. and the parade steps off at 9 a.m. Monday, July 4 in downtown Racine.

With of 100,000 spectators flocking to see the bands and floats, things can get a little crazy. Here's a beginners guide that will also tell you the ins and outs of getting around downtown Racine for the parade.

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American Flag: Show your patriotism with the colors of
America. A pair of flags is about $2 at grocery stores including , 5111 Douglas Ave, or , 4636 Douglas Ave. Ambitious kids can always color a paper flag just in time for the festivities, too. Kohls has several apparel items adorned with the American flag, for every member of the family, and most are under $10. Whether it’s a baseball cap, t-shirt, or even face painting, red, white and blue is a must have fashion statement at the parade.

Sunscreen: Even though the temperatures may be pleasant for
the parade, the sun’s rays can do their damage, especially when skin is exposed for a few hours. Bring some sunscreen, whether it’s the spray, the crèmes or a sunhat. CVS Pharmacy is on the way, and they have Aveeno’s sensitive skin formula, as well as the 50 SPF Water Babies.

Find out what's happening in Caledoniawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Cold Drinks: Something about an ice cold lemonade or iced
tea on the 4th of July makes this one a classic. No explanation
required.

Lawn Chair: Parade spectators will line up early, and that
means 5 a.m. if this year is like the past. But even if you’re not in time to stake out a front row seat, it’s still a great idea to bring a lawn chair. Sometimes a vantage point a little bit away from the thick of it is even better – Your view will let you take in the eager crowds of your community. Spread out a bit and relax.

Binoculars: No matter where you’re planted, it’s fun to
zoom in on the entries! Walmart carries binoculars in the sporting goods section, so why not take a closer look this year?

Happy Independence Day from all of us at Patch!

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