Continuing a tradition that began in 1908, the Greater Edmonds Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for a gala celebration of the nation’s birthday on Tuesday, July 4.
Grand Marshal for this year’s parade will be Tom King, who has been involved with community service and Chamber-sponsored community events for nearly 20 years. The Taste of Edmonds, Christmas-tree-lighting ceremony and Edmonds Arts Festival are events in which he has been active.
The day-long festivities that attract thousands of locals and visitors to Edmonds range from a children’s parade to antique-weapons demonstrations by the Washington State Civil War Association. The grand finale is a fireworks display at the Civic Stadium at nightfall.
All events are free and open to the public. The action centers on the core business district downtown, City Park at Third Avenue North and Pine Street and the Civic Stadium at Sixth/Seventh avenues north and Bell/Daley streets.
The celebration kicks off at 11:30 a.m. with the children’s parade. Sign-up begins at 9:30 a.m. at Fifth Avenue and Howell Street. Last year 800 youngsters riding crepe-paper-festooned bikes and decked out in historical costumes participated in the parade.
Every year parade-goers plant their lawn chairs curbside hours before the main parade’s noon start time. Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. at Seventh Avenue between Aloha and Glen streets.
At 2 p.m. in City Park, an exhibition of loading and firing historic weapons will be staged by the Washington State Civil War Association. A waterball competition by the Edmonds Fire Department will follow.
Families are encouraged to return to downtown at 7:30 p.m. for the pre-fireworks entertainment at Civic Stadium. Food will be available for sale to those who arrive to munch along to the music of The Lost Vuarnets.
No pets, cooking equipment or barbecues are allowed in the stadium.
The Chamber depends upon sponsorships by area businesses and donations by the public to pay the bills for the Independence Day extravaganza. Anticipated cost for this year’s event is $33,000, according to the Chamber.
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