On the afternoon of Monday, July 9, 2025, the Rotary Club of Oconomowoc announced that it would be making a change for this year’s upcoming 4th of July parade. For years, the parade has been held in downtown Oconomowoc as a way to celebrate the community, the country, and the culture of Oconomowoc. However, the Rotary Club, who organizes the event, has decided to ban all politically affiliated groups from this year’s parade.
In the past, local government officials had been allowed to participate in the event. With these new rules taking effect, Oconomowoc’s representatives such as State Representative Barb Dittrich, Senator Chris Kapenga, and even United States Senator Ron Johnson would not be allowed to appear at the event.
This year’s 4th of July parade is anticipated to draw a large crowd. 2025 marks Oconomowoc’s 150th anniversary, and the city has been celebrating this historic milestone all year long. The rotary club’s parade has been a key part of this, with the city promoting the event on its official website since the beginning of the year.
The rotary club claimed this new change in parade restrictions came “After considerable reflection… Our aim remains to create a universally enjoyable atmosphere where Oconomowoc’s legacy and community unity can shine brightly, unimpeded by partisan elements.”
“We hold great respect for everyone who contributes to our city’s growth, including elected officials and public servants whose roles are crucial to Oconomowoc’s success.”
The announcement encouraged elected officials and political representatives to join in the festivities at the Village Green, after the parade. The University of Wisconsin Marching Band will be playing there to pay tribute to both the community and Independence Day.
“We recognize that changes to longstanding traditions can prompt discussion, and we wish to clarify that our parade’s non-political nature for this anniversary year was intentionally chosen to foster maximum inclusivity and joy for all participants and attendees,” stated the Rotary Club.
The current political representatives for Oconomowoc include State Representative Barbara Dittrich, Congressman Scott Fitzgerald, and Senator Chris Kapenga. Each of these identify as members of the Republican Party. Oconomowoc has a strong Republican voting history. The city has voted Republican for the past 25 years, and voted for Donald Trump in previous presidential elections.
The parade is currently scheduled to be held at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 4.
