I am just going to throw it out there. I could spend every day at the Brownsville Overlook along the picturesque Mississippi River watching the wildlife. My favorite time of the year is fall, when the Tundra Swans and Trumpeter Swans arrive for their annual visit. If you have not been, I highly recommend you take a trip to Brownsville around the early part or middle of November.
“When we hear his call, we hear no mere bird. We hear the trumpet in the orchestra of evolution.” ~ Aldo Leopold
Thousands of these migratory birds stop to rest and refuel.
Watch them duck under the water.
Watching them dive underwater and fly through the air is so much fun. It is truly an unscripted ballet. The dance is never the same.
Swan Song
Interpretive Signage
Interpretive signage
See what you can see.
It is totally worth your time to take a peek through the mounted viewers at the Brownsville Overlook, plus it does not cost you anything to use them.
Jealous of this man’s camera lens? Yes.
Night was fast approaching at the Brownsville Overlook.
You can see to the other side of the Mississippi River.
Dinner Time or is it Supper Time?
A damn good burger at Shellhorn Bar & Grill
End your day with a “damn good” hamburger and the best French fries west of the Mississippi at Shellhorn Bar and Grill. You might even run into an acquaintance like Tony, and I did.
Fourth of July fireworks displays are a big deal in the United States! According to Wallet Hub over 44% of Americans attended a July 4th fireworks display in 2024. There are over 14,000 fireworks shows held each Fourth of July and the cost of hosting a municipal fireworks display ranges from $10,000 to $50,000.
Hailed as the best firework displays in the Driftless Region of Northeast Iowa, Southeast Minnesota, Southwest Wisconsin, and Northwest Illinois include:
Brownsville, Minnesota
Brownsville, Minn., will celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks during the town’s annual Brownsville Days celebration on Saturday, June 27. The fireworks are set to begin at dusk, approximately 9:28 p.m. The fireworks will be set off in the field behind the ballpark.
Onalaska, Wisconsin
Head to Onalaska, Wisconsin, on Saturday, June 27, to enjoy a full day of live music, the popular family fun zone for kids, a cornhole tournament, and the “Salute to the 4th of July” fireworks show from 9:45 to 10:05 p.m. Admission is free.
Clermont, Iowa
2026 Skip-A-Way Fireworks will be held on July 3 at dusk. The Skip-A-Way Resort, 3825 Harding Rd., Clermont, is hosting the annual fireworks display. The event is open to the public!
Bluffton, Iowa
Bluffton Resort and Bar will host a fireworks show at dusk on July 3 at 9:30 p.m. over the scenic Upper Iowa River. The reflections of the fireworks are spectacular.
Festina, Iowa
Festina’s 4th of July firework display will take place on Friday, July 3, at dusk/dark. On Saturday, July 4, is the parade at 10:30 a.m. followed by a delicious tasting chicken dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Rushford, Minnesota
Head to Rushford for their “Celebrate 250th” event at Creekside Park on Friday, July 3. The festivities begin at 12 p.m. with activities ending with the fireworks at dusk.
Hesper, Iowa
Hesper Nite Lite Fireworks
Join the estimated 100 residents of Hesper as they shoot off fireworks on Saturday, July 4, at dusk. This spectacular display of bright colorful lights is said to be one, if not the best display, in the area.
Canton, Minnesota
Minnesota’s first parade is scheduled to take place at 12:01 a.m. on July 4, followed by fireworks.
Eitzen, Minnesota
Eitzen’s popular Fourth of July celebration, July 3-4, culminates on Saturday evening with fireworks at dusk. In celebration of the country’s 250th Anniversary the fireworks display will be bigger and better. The fireworks will illuminate the sky from 307 Iowa Ave. The well attended celebration is hosted by the Eitzen Lions Club.
Galena, Illinois
The red, white, and blue comes alive in Galena on July 4 from 2 – 10 p.m.with food, live entertainment, and games. The annual parade steps off at 5:30 p.m. The fireworks show will light up the sky at dusk creating a rounding chorus of oohs, ahhs, and wows.
Lansing, Iowa
The scenic town of Lansing, Iowa, is putting on a really big fireworks show on Saturday, July 4th at 10 p.m. in celebration of the 250th anniversary. The show will take place at Strub property, 2095 Main Street.
Harmony, Minnesota
On Saturday, July 4, Harmony will host its annual fireworks display at North Park, starting at dusk. Presented by the Harmony Volunteer Fire Department and sponsored by The City of Harmony, First Southeast Bank of Harmony and Canton, Harmony Fireman’s Relief Association, and Harmony Conservation Club. Check out the town’s chamber of commerce Facebook page for a complete list of activities during the city’s four-day event.
Harper’s Ferry, Iowa
Join the residents of Harper’s Ferry on July 4 for a rip-roaring good time. The excitement will start at dusk.
La Crosse, Wisconsin
Ooh!Wow!Ahh!Beautiful!
On July 4, La Crosse will shoot off fireworks during the town’s annual Riverfest celebration, 100 State Street, in downtown La Crosse. The fireworks will simultaneously light up the sky and the Mighty Mississippi River at dusk. Stay for the Chad Erickson Memorial Fireworks Extravaganza at Riverside Park for a major fireworks display at 10 p.m.
Spillville, Iowa
On Saturday, July 4, the small Czech town of Spillville in northeast Iowa is promoting its 2026 Fourth of July celebration as “Small Town, Big Spark! The annual event will take place at the historic Inwood Ballroom & Riverside Park, 116 Bridge St. The festivities feature traditional 4th of July activities including a barbecue dinner, Little League tournament, 5K, bingo, kids’ games, and live entertainment. The day begins at 8 a.m. and ends with the fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.
Other Firework Shows
Highlandville, Iowa, July 11 and LeRoy, Minnesota, will be shooting off fireworks on July 17 in celebration of the town’s 150th Anniversary and the 250th Anniversary of the USA.
Another Caledonia Hot-Air Balloon Rally is in the bag! The 2023 rally took place the third weekend in October. Ten balloons from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and South Dakota were scheduled to fly over the weekend. Nine balloons flew from the field behind Caledonia High School on Friday afternoon and again on Sunday morning. The fights on Saturday were canceled due to high winds. This is the most balloons, I have seen fly in Caledonia over the past 10 years.
Safety First
Organizer Marian Gavin
Each year, the town hosts a hot-air balloon rally in October, the only balloon rally south of Rochester, Minn. There are years when the weather does not cooperate and the balloons do not get to fly or even stand-up. Organizers stress that balloon flights are weather-dependent, and that safety always comes first. Whether balloons fly or not is at the pilot’s discretion.
Keep a watchful eye on the Caledonia Balloon Rally Facebook page for up-to-date information prior to the event and during the rally. The organizers do an outstanding job posting notifications.
2023 Pilots
The Red, White, and Blue
2023 participating pilots include Russ Lucas, Dodge Center, Minn.; Lynn Huppert, Ellsworth, Wisc.; Chris Keefe, Cross Plains, Wisc.; Rodney Newkirk, Rochester, Minn.; Tim Cloyd, Runnells, Iowa; John Parezo, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Jeff Trzebiatowski, Appleton, Wisc.; Terry Dorshorst, West Salem, Wisc.; Sean Eakin, Tomah, Wisc.; and Kevin Kamp, Marion, Iowa.
Balloonmeister
Tom Cloyd from Runnells, Iowa, was the 2023 balloonmeister. The balloonmeister is in charge of and coordinates all the balloon activities at a balloon event. He/she ensures the pilots meet all the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements.
Smile!
Photo Op!
Two balloons inflating
Balloon rallies are the perfect opportunity to take photos. Bring your camera to capture the balloons as they inflate, lift off, and fill the blue sky with a rainbow of colors. It is also fun to take pictures of the kids jumping up and down and yelling, “There’s a balloon. There’s a balloon. This is also the perfect time to record short videos of all the oohs and aahs and beaming smiles as attendees watch the balloons inflate and take-off. Don’t forget to wave. #caledoniamnballoonrally
Say Yes!
Riders waving goodbye!
If you are asked to chase or go for a ride, don’t hesitate, say yes!
