Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Join the Independence Day Celebration at Old World Wisconsin on July 4 and 5
Enjoy a star-spangled weekend at Old World Wisconsin with live music, an old-fashioned parade through a festively decorated 19th-century village and NEW food and drink offerings
EAGLE, Wis. - Celebrate Independence Day at Old World Wisconsin, a 600-acre living history attraction that comes alive with the sights and sounds of the holiday. Enjoy live brass band performances, join a stroller-friendly participant parade, cheer on (or compete in!) the always-popular pie-eating contest, and listen to a stirring reading of the Declaration of Independence.
And that’s just the beginning of a weekend filled with fun for everyone!
Special activities take place throughout the grounds. Guests can pitch and catch in a historic baseball game, enter a tug-of-war contest, play hoop and stick at Raspberry School, or visit the recently opened Wittnebel’s Tavern—a historic tribute to the post-Prohibition era.
The historical attraction also offers several new food and beverage offerings. Stop by Caldwell Hall, where a tent-covered outdoor dining area serves hot dogs, veggie dogs and beer-infused brats fresh off the grill along with pulled-pork sandwiches. At the Creamery, guests can enjoy a red, white, and blue strawberry shortcake—made with fresh strawberries, topped with blueberries and a dollop of cream—as well as a variety of ice cream specialties.
Wittnebel’s Tavern will serve its exclusive Kettle Brau brew, a refreshing blonde lager inspired by 20th-century recipes, along with a special Duesterbeck’s Two Red Barns American ale.
The new Biergarten, decked out in red, white and blue for the holiday, overlooks the scenic Kettle Moraine State Forest, and offers a relaxing setting to enjoy the view, a beverage or sample a special charcuterie cup—a historic nod to Wisconsin classics like cheese curds, sausage sticks, pickles, cranberries, and even a pickled egg for those interested in a taste of the past. The nearby Ramsey Barn, with enticing gifts for the whole family, will feature a special Independence Day Hawaiian shirt.
Independence Day Weekend is sponsored by the Old World Foundation and this special program is included in the cost of general admission. Tickets are $20 for adults and teens, $18 for senior citizens, $13 for children, and admission is free for children under 5. Old World Wisconsin will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, July 4-5, 2025. For general information and tickets go to oldworldwisconsin.org or click here.
Wisconsin Historical Society members receive FREE general admission to Old World Wisconsin and a 10% discount on ticketed events.
About Old World Wisconsin
Old World Wisconsin is one of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 12 historic sites and museums. Rated as one of the top attractions to take kids in the Milwaukee area, Old World Wisconsin is a 600-acre regional history attraction that features interactive environments and immersive stories of 19th-and early 20th-century Midwestern immigrant farm and rural life. The museum offers guests family-friendly, hands-on activities as they visit crossroads village and eight working farmsteads, explore heirloom gardens, experience beer brewing traditions, meet heritage animal breeds and try historic crafts and skills. Old World Wisconsin is located on Highway 67 just south of Eagle, Wisconsin, within daytrip distance of Milwaukee, Chicago and Madison. For more information and a list of upcoming events visit oldworldwisconsin.org or call (262) 594-6301. Wisconsin Historical Society members receive free general admission to this site during regular operating hours.
About the Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. The Wisconsin Historical Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, receives grants and private contributions benefitting the Wisconsin Historical Society and administers the membership program. For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org.
