Bucky-n-Booms

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Ray Erickson

A past fireworks display visible from the UW Memorial Union Terracd.

media release: A new Independence Day tradition is coming to Madison’s lakefront this summer on July 4 as Bucky-n-Booms makes its debut along the shores of Lake Mendota.

For the first time ever, the Wisconsin Union and The Edgewater are partnering to create a free, open-to-the-public Fourth of July festival stretching from Memorial Union to The Edgewater Grand Plaza. The all-day event will feature live music, family-friendly activities, lake entertainment, food and beverage offerings, and the return of fireworks to downtown Madison.

This year’s event also serves as a celebration of America’s 250th birthday, commemorating the nation’s semiquincentennial with a community gathering along Madison’s iconic lakefront.

Community members and visitors may spend the day exploring both venues, with programming designed for all ages from afternoon through evening.

The event lineup on July 4 is as follows:

• 2-3:45 p.m. — Until Dawn, The Edgewater Grand Plaza
• 2:30-5:30 p.m. — Kid Zone at The Edgewater featuring face painting, balloon art and hands-on crafts
• 4-4:30 p.m. — Mad-City Ski Team performance near The Edgewater
• 4-5:30 p.m. — Scott Damgaard, UW Credit Union Summer Stage at the Memorial Union Terrace
• 4:30-6 p.m. — PEGASIS, The Edgewater Grand Plaza
• 5-8 p.m. — Terrace Art Zone: reflective mobiles, Memorial Union Terrace
• 6-6:30 p.m. — Mad-City Ski Team performance near the Memorial Union Terrace
• 7-10 p.m. — Brett Newski and the Bad Inventions with the Fellow Travelers, UW Credit Union Summer Stage at the Memorial Union Terrace
• 7:30-10 p.m. — The People Brothers Band, The Edgewater Grand Plaza
• Dusk – Fireworks over Lake Mendota, presented by The Edgewater, the Wisconsin Union and Madison Boats

Guests can move between Memorial Union and The Edgewater throughout the day to experience performances, family activities and lakeside festivities at both destinations. All programming and entertainment are free and open to the public, creating a community-centered celebration for residents and visitors alike.

The evening concludes with a fireworks display over Lake Mendota, marking the return of fireworks to downtown Madison and creating a finale to the city’s newest Fourth of July tradition.

“This partnership is an exciting opportunity to bring the community together in a new way while celebrating everything people love about summer in Madison — our lakes, our traditions and our shared sense of community,” Wisconsin Union Deputy Director Susan Dibbell said. “We’re thrilled to work alongside The Edgewater to create a Fourth of July experience that is welcoming, energetic and open to everyone.”

The Wisconsin Union is a nonprofit organization that creates events and activities at multiple downtown Madison spaces, such as Memorial Union and outdoor dining and entertainment venue the Memorial Union Terrace. The team has both year-round and seasonal dining options at Memorial Union.

“Bucky-n-Booms is about creating a true community celebration on the lakefront,” said Amy Supple, chief operating officer of The Edgewater. “This event brings together two iconic Madison destinations for the first time, and we’re especially excited to help bring fireworks back to downtown Madison as part of an unforgettable celebration of America’s 250th birthday.”

For additional event information, visit The Edgewater or Wisconsin Union websites.