LAKEWOOD - The Lakewood Area Chamber of Commerce is busy preparing for the annual summer Mardi Gras celebration, scheduled for July 17, 18 and 19, 2026 at Lakewood’s Memorial Park. One of the oldest and longest running summer events in Northeastern Wisconsin, the Mardi Gras began in 1955 and has run every year except one year off during the COVID pandemic. While there have been some changes over the years, the event continues to provide an opportunity for residents and visitors to the area to get together for various types of activities and entertainment. While the United States celebrates its 250th year in July this year, the Mardi Gras will also provide something for almost everyone to enjoy this summer.
The event will kick off on Friday, July 17 at 5:00 pm with the Kiddie Carnival along with the opening of the beverage stand and food stands. The band, Broken Arrow, will swing into action at 6:00 pm and continue until 10:00 pm. And the Big Daddy Fireworks display will happen at dusk.
Saturday morning will see activity on the ball field and the adjacent courts, with the annual softball tournament and a pickleball tournament, then at 4:00 pm, there will be a cornhole tournament. These activities will provide opportunities for everyone to compete and/or be part of the spectator’s crowd. The food and beverage stands will be open mid-morning and the Kiddie Carnival will be open on the midway at 11:00 am. The Lions will again have a fishpond for the kids starting tentatively at 11:00 am. There will be meat raffles and 50/50 raffles in the pavilion all afternoon, where DJ Jay Cruz will be providing the music. Later in the evening at 6:00 pm, the band Krazy Nights will be on stage.
As usual, one of the highlights of the Mardi Gras each year is the Sunday parade, which always starts at 12:00 noon and goes through the main business section downtown. Businesses, organizations and individuals are encouraged to get their parade entries ready and have them up in the cemetery by 11:30 am. Travelers are encouraged to arrange alternate routes as the mail highway will be closed for the parade. Sunday afternoon will again see the food and beverage stands open, the Kiddie Carnival in full swing, and a series of raffles in the pavilion. Again, DJ Jay Cruz will provide musical entertainment, and the softball tournament will have games until the champion is determined.
Mark your calendar and make your plans to visit the 2026 Lakewood Mardi Gras at Memorial Park on July 17-19, 2026.
Published on: Jul 14, 2026 at 7:48 am