4th of July Fun Fair

The Chippewa Valley Museum in Eau Claire's beautiful Carson Park will hold its 24th annual Fourth of July Fun Fair on Monday, July 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Admission is free.

Activities at the all-day celebration include carnival games, cake walks, live music and entertainment, a Civil War encampment, spelling bees in the one room school house, pioneer life demonstrations in the log house, and patriotic music by the Eau Claire Municipal Band. New this year are fun family competitions, a throwback photo booth, and a local history trivia contest.  

Visitors may also purchase hot dogs, brats, chips and soda from the Festival Foods Grill or sample an ice cream treat from the museum's old fashioned ice cream parlor.

"The Fun Fair has really become Eau Claire's signature daytime event on the Fourth," said Liz Reuter, the Museum's programs manager. "Our community celebration is an annual tradition for hundreds of local families and part of an all-day and evening celebration in Carson Park."

Many of the activities are free, and others have a small charge. Visitors can buy tickets 2-for-$1 at two outdoor booths. The annual event is a fundraiser for the Chippewa Valley Museum. In 2014, the event grossed over $10,000 to support the museum's programs and preservation activities throughout the year.

"Our members, and many local businesses, donate money and supplies for the event," said Dorie Boetcher, the museum's operations manager. "Their support makes this an affordable event for families."

Although many of the events and activities take place on the lawn, the Chippewa Valley Museum itself will be bustling as well, as the exhibits and showings of the award-winning multimedia show "This Day" will be available all day.