June 28 Kenosha civic veterans parade presented by Snap-on

This year’s parade highlights a milestone anniversary for our country, with the theme "United States Celebrates 250 Years." The parade steps off at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 28.

Continuing its community generosity, Snap-on is again the lead sponsor for the parade, which is organized by the City of Kenosha. Key support comes from Kenosha County and division sponsors Jockey International, First American Bank, Tyler and Deleen Nehls, Zeigler Hyundai and Festival Foods.

Headlining this year’s parade are honors for local veterans and tributes to those who have served. Sir Robert Ibsen will be honored as the City of Kenosha’s "2025 Hometown Hero of the Year." Bill Hopkins will be honored as the Kenosha County Veteran of the Year 2026.

The city’s Hometown Heroes Commission takes nominations of veterans to honor through quarterly awards, and also chooses one veteran as the "Hometown Hero of the Year."

Ibsen served in the U.S. Navy as a chief personnel man (E-7) from 1946 to 1967. His dedication and leadership earned him multiple honors, including the Good Conduct Medal with five stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in Vietnam. Ibsen served on the National Board of Danish Brotherhood in America for 20 years and retired as national president. From this he was knighted by the queen of Denmark.

Hopkins, a career U.S. Navy veteran, went on to serve in many capacities in the western Kenosha County community. The County Veterans of the Year award is presented annually to honor veterans for their achievements and contributions after their time in service. Hopkins served 20 years in the Navy, retiring as an E9 command master chief in 1993. During his years in service, he was assigned to numerous posts around the world, including four tours of duty at Navy Station Great Lakes. Following his military career, he worked for 22 years before retiring as a senior compliance training manager at Abbott Laboratories and Hospira.

After moving to Silver Lake in 1989, he became involved in the community, serving as president of the Riverview School Board, trustee on the Silver Lake and Salem Lakes Village Board, Community Library Board and numerous other boards and commissions. He also was a 12-year volunteer member of the Silver Lake Fire Department.

New this year, Agerholm-Gross Detachment #346 Marine Corps League presents three float entries:

• A living memorial tribute to the United States Marine flag raising atop Mount Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima, Japan, during WWII.
• The league’s military honor guard will follow with a solemn float with a flag-draped casket in remembrance of those who have died in service to our country.
• The league also presents the Vietnam Women’s Living Memorial, a tribute to the women of the military, who proudly served their country in all branches.

Other highlights of the parade include Kenosha’s Band of the Blackwatch and Rambler Band, Kenosha Pops Concert Band and bands River City Rhythm and Mad Plaid Brass. Always a crowd favorite, the Jesse White Tumbling Team from Chicago makes a return appearance.

Nineteen floats will compete for the honor of best in show, and also first-, second- and third-place ribbons in categories including Most Patriotic, Hometown Pride, Superior Craftsmanship and Best Use of Theme.

This year’s float judges are Donovan Scherer of Studio Moonfall and Jill Montgomery, a long-time art teacher. Floats will be judged prior to the parade in the staging area, and winners will be announced during the parade at the announcer’s booth at Veterans Memorial Park, in the 5200 block of Sixth Avenue.

The parade route will be identical to the last several years, beginning on Seventh Avenue at Washington Road, then heading south through Sixth Avenue downtown and ending on the west side of Library Park. The parade will travel only in the southbound lane on Seventh Avenue, and people are welcome to sit on the boulevard once the parade route is closed to traffic at noon. The best areas for viewing the parade are along Seventh Avenue and Sixth Avenue before the parade reaches Library Park and prepares for disbanding.

All ages are welcome to participate in a community bike ride as part of the parade, but bicyclists must be able to ride two miles without stopping and keep up with the group. All participants in the bike parade must ride a bike; no walking or jogging with the group. Bike parade participants do not need to submit a parade application, but should plan to gather at Seventh Avenue and Washington Road between noon and 12:30 p.m., prior to the 1 p.m. start time.

Pre-parade

Division 1 – Sponsored by Jockey International

• Band: Rambler Band
• Jockey International
• 2025 Kenosha Hometown Hero of the Year, Sir Robert Ibsen
• Mayor David Bogdala and Common Council members
• Float: Snap-on
• Daughters of the American Revolution
• Cub Scout Pack 422
• Scout Troop 1865
• La Perla Tapatia USA
• Jolly Giant Stilt Walkers
• Carthage College
• Miss Kenosha 2026 Ella Kohlmeier
• Float: Chamber Choir
• U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil
• Women's Club of Kenosha
• County Executive Samantha Kerkman
• Thunderbolt Senior Color Guard
• 2025 Kenosha County Veteran of the Year Bill Hopkins
• Em’s Dance Center
• Navy Club Ship 40
• Float: Marine Corps League – Iwo Jima
• Float: Marine Corps League – Honor Guard

Division 2 – Sponsored by First American Bank

• Band: Band of the Blackwatch
• Kenosha Area Vietnam Veterans
• Float: Marine Corps League – Vietnam Nurses
• 2026 Parade Float Judges Donovan Scherer and Jill Montgomery
• Raphael Entertainment: Juggler
• State Sen. Bob Wirch
• Cirque Experience Wheel Jam
• Float: Bradford Football
• Kenosha Gremlins
• Band: Route 66 Belle City
• John Anderson
• Step by Step Dance Academy
• Those Funny Little People
• State Rep. Ben DeSmidt
• State Rep. Tip McGuire
• Float: Smar-Teas
• St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy
• Downtown Kenosha Catholic
• State Rep. Amanda Nedweski
• Float: Rhea Lana’s
• Kenosha County Supervisors and Youth in Governance
• Kenosha.com

Division 3 – Sponsored by Zeigler Hyundai

• Band: Kenosha Pops
• 2025 Kenosha County Fairest of the Fair Izzy Jones and fair royalty Emily Maxon
• Kenosha Academy of Performing Arts
• Float: Kenosha County Democratic Party
• Crawford & Wright Orthodontics
• Kenosha County Treasurer Teri Jacobson
• Kenosha County Register of Deeds Jennifer Mack
• Band: Mad Plaid Brass
• Ed Hibsch for State Assembly
• Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
• Float: Kenosha Lakeshore BID
• Children’s Theater Academy
• Brian Sheffler for Circuit Court
• Southeastern Wisconsin Building & Trades Council
• Float: Kenosha Beach House
• Kenosha Community Sailing Center
• Fin & Ale Lakeshore LLC
• Kenosha Mammoths
• Heating & Cooling Solutions
• Alliance Women’s Clinic
• Float: Open Wings
• James Beller for Sheriff
• TJ Howell’s Rocket Cycle
• TJ Howell’s Spongie
• Jesse White Tumblers

Division 4 – Sponsored by Tyler & Deleen Nehls

• Lake County Shrine Club
• Band: Lighthouse Brigade of Racine
• Knights of Columbus
• Miss Bristol Mary Gillmore
• Olafson & Porter
• Float/Band: The Greasers
• Peter Burgelis for U.S. Congress
• Primrose of Pleasant Prairie
• Dave Klimisch, president of Pleasant Prairie
• Float: Visit Pleasant Prairie
• UW-Parkside
• Kenosha Unity/Masonic Lodge No. 47
• U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany
• Float: Republican Party of Kenosha County
• Jerry Smith’s
• Job’s Daughters Bethel 79
• Southport Mechanical
• Tony G for Sheriff
• Float: Walkin’ in My Shoes Bunker Coffee House for Vets
• Valerie Kretchmer for State Assembly
• Dibble’s Outdoor Service
• First Student Buses

Division 5 – Sponsored by Festival Foods

• Band: Lutheran Vanguard of Wisconsin
• Racine Zoo
• Gary Roberts for Sheriff
• Kenosha Public Library
• Float: Kenosha Emerging Leaders Academy & KELA Partners
• RS Clips
• Dream Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation
• Band: River City Rhythm
• Papa Johns
• Fairytale Birthday Company
• Kenosha Area Family & Aging Services
• Float: Jazzercise
• Kenosha City Tavern League Safe Ride
• Zach's Lawn Care
• Kenosha Urgent Dental Care
• Band: Blue Saints Drum Corps
• State Bank of the Lakes
• Clear Sky Rehabilitation Hospital of Kenosha
• YMX Logistics
• Kenosha Area Transit: City bus