Mark your calendars for the 39th Annual Dubuque Fireworks & Air Show Spectacular happening on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at A.Y. McDonald Park, located at 1301 Hawthorne St, Dubuque, IA 52001, adjacent to Lock and Dam No. 11 on the Mississippi River! This fun-filled, family-friendly event, organized by Radio Dubuque and the Dubuque Jaycees, is a wonderful way to celebrate Independence Day and pay tribute to our military heroes.
• Air Show: Kicking off at 5:30 PM, featuring impressive performances by the U.S. Army Golden Knights, an F-35 Heritage Flight along with P-51 Mustangs, and the Full Throttle Formation Team, among others.
• Fireworks: Set to light up the sky at dusk with a mesmerizing 35-minute display over the river.
• Activities: Plenty to enjoy, including food vendors, kids’ games, inflatables, and complimentary American flags available at the Radio Dubuque tent.
• Tips: Arrive early as parking opens at noon ($20 per vehicle). Bring along chairs, water, and sunscreen. Please note that pets, drones, and personal fireworks are not permitted.
Traffic Advisory: Anticipate detours due to ongoing construction on Kerper Blvd. Consult the map below for routes and parking information. Accessible parking will be available for $20 off Kerper Blvd. RV parking reservations can be made at a cost of $100 plus $20 per car by contacting [email protected]. Shuttles for seniors will also be provided.
For real-time updates, tune in to AM 1370 KDTH, 92.9 KAT FM, 97.3 The Rock, or 101.1 The River. Join us in commemorating freedom! For further details, visit radiodubuque.com.
Directions to A.Y. McDonald Park for the Dubuque Fireworks & Air Show 2025
The following is a text-based guide to reaching A.Y. McDonald Park while navigating detours caused by ongoing construction on Kerper Blvd and surrounding areas. For a detailed map, check out radiodubuque.com, which also shows event layouts including barriers like cell towers.
Main Route to A.Y. McDonald Park:
• Venue: A.Y. McDonald Park, 1301 Hawthorne St, Dubuque, IA 52001, situated next to the Hawthorn Boat Ramp and just south of Lock and Dam No. 11.
• From Downtown Dubuque:
1. Proceed north on US-61/US-151 (Locust St).
2. Take a right onto E 16th St.
3. Continue onto Kerper Blvd (northbound).
4. Turn left onto Hawthorne St or Shiras Ave Ext to access parking available near the park.
• From US-20 (Julien Dubuque Bridge):
1. Head west on US-20 towards Dubuque.
2. Exit onto US-61/US-151 north.
3. Follow the previous steps from E 16th St.
• Parking: Lots will open at noon ($20 per vehicle) located off Kerper Blvd and Shiras Ave Ext. Accessible parking is available at the former Bowling and Beyond lot (off Kerper Blvd). Parking lots generally fill up by 7 PM. No vehicle departure is allowed until 30 minutes following the fireworks show.
Detours Due to Construction:
• Kerper Blvd Traffic: Northbound lanes are closed for a sewer project, causing a shift of traffic to the southbound lanes between Roosevelt St Ext and Shiras Ave. Expect delays, particularly after the event. All traffic will be directed southward post-fireworks.
• Alternate Route (Bypassing Kerper):
1. From downtown, take US-61/US-151 south.
2. Cross over the Julien Dubuque Bridge to Illinois.
3. Turn left onto IL-35 north, then WI-35 north.
4. Re-enter Iowa using the Dubuque-Wisconsin Bridge.
5. Head south on US-61 to Rhomberg Ave, then take a left onto Hawthorne St to access parking.
• Post-Event Exiting:
• Vehicles will be held for 30 minutes after the fireworks for pedestrian safety.
• Officers will manage traffic flow south on Kerper Blvd or through Harbor St/Volunteer Dr/Hawthorne St for the Point neighborhood.
• The southbound US-61/151 on-ramp from Kerper will be closed; use the E 9th St on-ramp instead.
• Road Closures:
• Hawthorne St (from Kerper to Volunteer Dr) will be closed when helicopters arrive in the afternoon.
• Harbor St and Shiras Ave Ext will close as pedestrian traffic increases.
• The Fengler St overpass will be closed to vehicles after the fireworks, with pedestrian access allowed.
Navigation Tips:
• To evade peak traffic, arrive before 5 PM.
• Check radiodubuque.com for live updates and an event layout map.
• For alternative viewing, consider areas in the Wisconsin bluffs or elevated locations to avoid the crowds.
• After the event, anticipate delays due to train crossings; use the WI-35/IL-35 detour if you encounter blocks.
For any further assistance, contact the Dubuque Police Department or visit the Radio Dubuque broadcast tent during the event. Travel safely and enjoy the show!
