Red, white & BOOM

Residents have several choices this year for public celebrations of Independence Day, most offering not only large fireworks displays, but children’s activities, food and entertainment.

Edmonds

Edmonds Kind of 4th — An all day event in downtown Edmonds, the festivities begin bright and early at 9 a.m. with the Sons of Norway Pancake Breakfast at Masonic Lodge, 515 Dayton St. Admission is $5 per person. The Children’s Parade begins at noon (participants check-in at 10 a.m.) at the corner of Fifth &Howell; then at 1 p.m. the main parade commences at 7th Ave. between Aloha &Glen (check-in begins at 11 a.m.). In City Park the Washington State Civil War Association hosts an infantry loading and firing demonstration at 3 p.m.; then at 3:30 p.m. the Edmonds Fire Department sets up for a waterball competition at City Park. Bring a picnic, throw out a blanket or take a seat in the grandstand at 7:30 p.m. and enjoy the music of the Lost Vuarnets at Civic Stadium. Food and beverage vendors as well as novelty vendors will be present in the stadium. Then at nightfall (approximately 10 p.m.), the celebration culminates with the annual fireworks display. For more information call 425-776-6711 or visit www. edmondswa.com/Events/ 4th.

Lynnwood

Star Spangled Celebration — Lynnwood’s celebration gets started at 7 p.m. at Lynnwood High School Athletic Complex, 3001 184th St. SW (just north of Alderwood Mall). The free event will feature the balloon artists, jugglers, clowns, and face painters with free entertainment throughout the evening. Vendor booths will serve desserts, beverages, and novelty items. Performances on the entertainment stage include the music of the Seamonkees at 8 p.m. and the Two Scoops Combo! at 9:15 p.m. The highlight of the evening will be a colorful 17-minute aerial fireworks display at 10:10 p.m., choreographed to music. For more information call the Lynnwood Recreation Center at 425-771-4030 or visit www.ci.lynnwood.wa.us.

Everett

“It’s a Whole New Fourth” — Everett kicks off Independence Day at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at the Flying Pig Brewing Company, 2929 Colby Ave. Cost is $7.95 per person. At 8:30 a.m. Everett Family YMCA’s Yankee Doodle Dash includes a 5K and 10K fun run or a 1-mile family fun run. At noon the Everett Jaycee’s Festival Parade starts at 26th Street and Colby Ave. and features a fly-over. From 1:30 to 4 p.m. the NorthSound 1380 Family Carnival at Everett Memorial Stadium features inflatable attractions and games for children. The Everett AquaSox baseball game against the Vancouver Canadians gets underway at 4:05 p.m. The first 1,000 children ages 12 and under receive a free AquaSox baseball hat. At 10 p.m. the Everett AquaSox Thunder on the Bay Fireworks Show can be viewed from Grand Avenue, Harborview and Legion parks and the Everett waterfront. For more information call 425-257-8700 or visit www.everettwa.org.

Bothell

2003 Freedom Festival — Bothell makes Independence Day a three day event, beginning July 2 the Oregon Trail Travelers Encampment at the Park at Bothell Landing. Saturday, July 3 the annual Patriot Dance features a performance by Blue Mariah from 7-10 p.m., also at the park. July 4 gets started with a free Pancake Breakfast at Bothell’s Downtown Firehouse from 9:30-11:30 a.m. At 12:15 p.m. the Children’s Parade starts at 104th &Main St. and winds its way to the intersection of NE 188th St. &SR 527. No registration is required for participants, but children need to be accompanied by a parent or met at the end of the route. At 1 p.m. the Grand Parade follows the same route as the earlier procession; at 3 p.m. in the park there’s a concert by A Cappella-Go followed by model hydro plane demonstrations at 3:30 p.m. All events are free. For more information call 425-486-3256 or visit www.ci.bothell.wa.us.

Seattle

40th annual 4th of Jul-Ivar’s — The oldest and largest all-day Independence Day festival in the Northwest features a full day of entertainment at Myrtle Edwards Park on Seattle’s waterfront, at the foot of Broad St., next to Pier 70. Three stages of musical entertainment run from 12:30 to 10 p.m. and the “Kids Fun Zone,” an interactive play area for children, is open noon-8 p.m. For adults, beer &wine gardens are open from noon to 8 p.m. for those over 21 years of age and with valid ID. The grand finale fireworks display explodes over Elliott Bay at dusk. The display can be viewed live on KOMO 4 television from 10-11 p.m. with a musical radio simulcast on MIX 92.5 or KIXI 880 a.m.

Washington Mutual Family Fourth at Lake Union — For the 16th year fireworks explode above the shores of Seattle’s Gas Works Park, with the celebration beginning at noon featuring free children’s activities including kite building, hands-on art projects, Lego Land, inflatable rides, hoola-hoops, bubble toys and kiddie cars. Hot and cold snacks/entrees from a variety of vendors is available from noon to 9 p.m. Beer and wine available in the beer garden from 2 to 9 p.m. The fireworks finale begins at 10 p.m. and will be digitally timed to patriotic music and simulcast on KUBE 93 and 95.7 KJR FM. KING 5 television will be broadcasting the fireworks live beginning at 10 p.m.