Community Corner

A Patch Guide to the Fourth of July

Find out about holiday festivities in the Seattle area and other considerations for the Fourth of July.

It looks to be a great holiday weekend, and there are many ways to celebrate in and around the Eastside and Seattle. Here’s a roundup of information to help you navigate the options, fun, and safety issues for you and your family this Fourth of July. 

Where to Celebrate the Fourth

Kirkland

Kirkland is a popular nearby place to celebrate; city officials are expecting about 10,000 merrymakers at its events this year, which culminates Monday with Kirkland’s big summertime bash on the Fourth of July. Sponsored by Celebrate Kirkland and based at Marina Park, activities include a kids parade (11:30 a.m.), the 12th annual old-fashioned patriotic parade (noon), the Rotary Club of Kirkland’s “Duck Dash” (3 p.m.), and the spectacular fireworks show (10:15 p.m.). Read more about it in on Kirkland Patch or visit the Celebrate Kirkland website for more details. 

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Bellevue

The Symetra Bellevue Family 4th celebration will begin at 2 p.m. at Bellevue Downtown Park, and continue until 10:30 p.m., ending with the fireworks display that begins at 10:05. After 6 p.m. there is free event parking in Bellevue Square, and easy walk from the park. The lowdown on events can be found at Bellevue Downtown’s website

In Bellevue, we also have a rare opportunity to visit the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall, on display from July 1 – 4 at the Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Bellevue. Live music begins at 8 p.m. and the fireworks show starts at 10 p.m. 

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Edmonds

Check out the annual Edmonds Kind of 4th, which is put on by the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce and Hazel Miller Foundation. The day's schedule of events includes a 5K Run at 10 a.m., a Children's Parade at 11:30 a.m., the Main Parade at noon, the Edmonds Fire Department Waterball Competition at City Park at 2:30 p.m., Evening Entertainment at the Civic Playfield (6th and Bell) at 7:30 p.m., and a Fireworks Display at 10 p.m. at Civic Playfield.

Kenmore

Kenmore will hold a fireworks show over Lake Washington at Log Boom Park. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on, and visit the city’s website for parking information parking map.

Newcastle

Lake Boren Townhomes sponsors a public fireworks display with festivities beginning at 6 p.m. July 4 at Lake Boren Park. Get more information here.

Renton

At Renton’s Fabulous Fourth of July and Fireworks, enjoy free children's activities and face-painting from noon to 8 p.m., (sponsored by Coal Creek Family YMCA & Matt Griffin YMCA) stage entertainment from 1:30 to 9:30 p.m. (sponsored by Sanctuary & The Reserve Apartments) and a professional fireworks display from a barge on Lake Washington at 10 p.m. Get more information here.

Sammamish

Sammamish will hold its Fourth on the Plateau celebration, with festivities beginning at 6 p.m. at the Sammamish Commons. Fireworks show begins at 10 p.m. Find out all about the events at and the city’s website

Seattle

Gasworks Park at Lake Union is once again the site of Seattle’s fireworks show. The festivities begin at noon, with food vendors and a beer garden, and the fireworks beginning at dusk. Check out the event rundown here

Steilacoom

The Steilacoom Chamber of Commerce once opens Lafayette Street to the public for the day-long July 4th Celebration. The event will feature a street fair, beer garden, Steilacoom Tribal Museum, family street fair, and finally, a fireworks show over Puget Sound that starts at 10 p.m. For info, visit the Steilacoom website

 

Fireworks Safety

In nearby Renton, marshals demonstrated the dangers of using illegal fireworks. Read about it andwatch the demonstration on video here

The Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office states that in 2010 there were 576 fireworks related injuries and fires reported and most were from fireworks illegal to own or possess in the State of Washington. 

 

Getting Around

King County Metro says Metro Transit bus routes will be operating on a Sunday schedule on Monday, July 4 for Independence Day. The holiday schedule means many commuter bus routes will not be in service on July 4. Sunday fares are in effect on all Metro  routes on both Sunday and Monday.

The King County Water Taxi between downtown Seattle and West Seattle will operate with a Sunday schedule on July 4. The free Water Taxi shuttles – Routes 773 and 775 – will operate with a Sunday schedule July 4. There will be no service on the Vashon route on Monday. For more water taxi information, visit: www.kingcounty.gov/watertaxi.

Due to many holiday events throughout the entire long weekend – Saturday through Monday, be sure to check for bus reroutes later in the week at:www.kingcounty.gov/Metro/alerts under the “Construction & Events” heading. Or, sign up for Transit Alerts on that same page to get news about the routes you use most often.

 

Keeping Pets Safe on This Noisy Holiday

The Seattle Humane Society issued a list of helpful tips to keep your pets safe and as comfortable as possible throughout the festivities. 


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