The History of the Calliope:
For well over 75 years, the 4th Fest Calliope has been a Fourth of July Parade tradition in Racine. Purchased for $200 in 1938, the calliope was built in Muscatine, Iowa for local dentist Walter “Doc” Gearen.
The calliope was mounted on the wooden frame from a 1922 Franklin automobile and was driven by a steam engine. Over the years, the instrument has been decorated with assorted circus ornamentation and is now powered by a gasoline engine and an air compressor. The compressor pushes air through ducts controlled by a 2.5-octave keyboard and into brass whistles that let loose with an ear-piercing sound.
Schedule: July 3, 2023 6:00 p.m - 9:00 p.m: July 3rd Block Party Join us at Monument Square to start your festivities on July 3rd from 6pm to 9pm. We ‘Party on the Square’ with food, bag toss games, music, and raffles. This year…
Read More »Midwest's Largest 4th of July Parade along with the city’s spectacular fireworks. Schedule of Events: July 3, 2022: July 3rd Block Party: Join us at Monument Square to start your festivities on July 3rd from 6pm to 9pm. We ‘Party on…
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