Residents from across the Wausau area are feeling quite patriotic this July Fourth.

Many were donning their red, white and blue in Wausau's downtown today as the City of Wausau held its annual Forth of July celebration at the 400 block in Wausau.

This is the third year for the event.

Several sponsors helped organize the event and helped put on things like a parade for children and their parents.

Wausau Mayor Jim Tipple said the event helps people in the community get out and have a little fun.

"Communities want to establish identities and we have concerts on the square on Wednesday nights. It's just another place where families can come down here, enjoy themselves," said Tipple.

The Mayor also got into the holiday spirit by wearing some patriotic attire of his own. He wore a red, white and blue top hat with red and white striped overalls.

"I got this outfit probably 35-40 years ago to go to Badger games. And it's kinda stuck on. Whenever I wanna get patriotic or go to a badger game," said Tipple.

Tipple said one of the reasons the event draws in so many people is that its free, which is a price that can't be beat during such hard economic times.