As a kid, I thought the Fourth of July was just for me. With my birthday a mere six days prior, the fireworks, parades and food were an added bonus to the weeklong celebration.
As an adult, I realize I was mistaken. But, the Fourth of July still is a giant birthday party. It’s a birthday party for America and all it stands for … life, liberty and justice. Or, in other words … freedom.
This year, celebrate the birth of our nation with some fun and festive Fourth of July events.
Local celebrations are plentiful. Patriotism provides a perfect opportunity for community parties.
If it’s a parade, carnival or fireworks you’re seeking, Snohomish County is peppered with shindigs.
Everett
Everett parties it up with a full day of fun.
A breakfast is 7 a.m. to noon at the Flying Pig and benefits the Everett Jaycees.
The Yankee Doodle Dash at the Everett Family YMCA features 10K and 5K runs and a family fun run. Runners in the 10K start at 8:30 a.m., followed by 5K runners at 8:40 a.m. The family fun run is at 8:45 a.m. and encourages family participation. An entry fee is required.
The 111th annual community Independence Day parade, presented by the Everett Jaycees, begins at noon at 26th Street and Colby Avenue. The parade proceeds along Colby Avenue to Wall Street. From Wall Street, the parade continues back to its starting point along Wetmore Avenue.
A Navy Prowler fly-over takes place during the parade.
This year’s parade has more than 60 entries, including local marching bands.
“People always enjoy the bands and neighborhood representation,” said Yvonne Davis, chairwoman of the parade arranged by the Everett Jaycees since 1996.
There will be dignitaries and floats memorializing veterans who have served, as well as those who are currently serving.
Grand marshal for this year’s parade is Webbly, the AquaSox mascot.
Everett Memorial Stadium hosts a family carnival, sponsored by KRKO (1380 AM), from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Admission is free with an Everett AquaSox game ticket.
First pitch for the AquaSox baseball game against the Vancouver Canadians is at 4:05 p.m. Tickets are $6 to $8.50.
The Thunder on the Bay Fireworks show starts at 10 p.m. along the waterfront. Some of the best viewing spots, aside from the waterfront, include Legion Park, Grand Avenue Park and Harborview Park. The display will be set to tunes provided by KRKO.
Arlington
Arlington celebrates the holiday with Frontier Days.
On Saturday, kids can celebrate early at the annual Arlington Kiddies’ Parade downtown. The parade is sponsored by the Arlington Fire Department Women’s Auxiliary.
Line-up begins at 1 p.m. at Centennial Fountain and the parade starts at 2 p.m. Prizes are given for best costumes with activities afterward at the Arlington Fire Department.
On the Fourth, Arlington hosts a bunch of activities. Enjoy pancakes in the park at Haller Park from 7 to 11 a.m., followed by the Pedal, Paddle, Puff Triathlon beginning at 10 a.m. Registration is at 8 a.m.
The Kiwanis Club is hosting an auction at Haller Park starting at noon. The Arlington Rotary Club hosts a tug of war for Arts Alive and live music following the auction.
At the Local Scoop, join in an ice cream eating contest at 4 p.m.
The grand parade, with line-up at 4 p.m., starts at 5 p.m. and is followed at 7:30 p.m. by the Great Stilly Duck Dash.
The fireworks show is at 10 p.m. at the Boys &Girls Club.
Lynnwood
From 7 to 10:40 p.m., the Lynnwood Athletics Complex is the site of family events and fireworks at the annual Star-Spangled Celebration.
Stanwood
Stanwood hosts a community parade at 11 a.m. and old-fashioned ice cream social from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the D.O. Pearson House Museum. Fireworks and music begin at 8 p.m. on the Fourth at Heritage Park.
Bothell
The Freedom Festival in Bothell gets started with a bang at the Patriot Dance beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Park at Bothell Landing. Along Main Street, a parade and family activities begin at noon. There will be a re-enactment of the Battle of Concord at 3 p.m. at the Park at Bothell Landing.
Edmonds
The Greater Edmonds Chamber of Commerce hosts “An Edmonds Kind of Fourth.”
A pancake breakfast is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge. Cost is $5.
The children’s parade begins at noon with check-in starting at 10 a.m. Following the children’s parade is the main parade at 1 p.m. with check-in starting at 10 a.m.
The Washington State Civil War Association infantry loading and firing demonstration with re-enactors is at 3 p.m. at City Park. A waterball competition, hosted by the fire department, follows the demonstration.
The Lost Vuarnets perform at 7:30 p.m. at Civic Stadium, followed at 10 by fireworks.
Monroe
At Evergreen Speedway, watch a demolition derby at 5 p.m. followed by fireworks.
Fireworks are illegal in most of Snohomish County, so view a local professional show instead. However, they are allowed in unincorporated Snohomish County from 9 a.m. to 11:55 p.m. only.
Justin Best / The Herald
ABOVE: Maury Wiederaenders, Anne Marie Heywood, Paul Heywood and Louisa Heywood (top, back row) painted their faces in red, white and blue for the Stanwood Centennial and Fourth of July celebration in 2003.
LEFT: Pinehurst-Beverly residents ride down Colby Avenue with the group from their neighborhood in the 2002 parade. The group celebrated the Interurban Trail.
Justin Best / The Herald
Dee Slawick and Tori Bischoff ride in the procession down Colby Avenue with the group from the Lowell neighborhood in Everett’s 2002 Fourth of July parade. The Lowell neighborhood won the Neighborhood Spirit Award that year.
Justin Best / The Herald
Pinehurst-Beverly residents ride down Colby Avenue with the group from their neighborhood in the 2002 parade. The group celebrated the Interurban Trail.
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