One year my brothers and I took the ferry from Bremerton to Seattle, then trekked over to Gas Works Park to watch the fireworks over Lake Union. We sat on a blanket in the grass for several hours waiting for it to get dark, which meant we had ample time for people watching. Families, couples, and friends kicked off their shoes, drank beer, ate plates of fried fish from Ivar’s, and sunbathed like bats emerging from a dark cave. A shirtless man did yoga in the grass. I watched as–I kid you not–a woman fed bits of crab meat to her cat on a leash (the woman and cat left before the fireworks). To summarize, everyone was just doing what Washingtonians do best–enjoying the fleeting sunshine and being weird and merry.
The Puget Sound is one of the best places to spend the Fourth of July. The weather is usually mild. You can watch fireworks over the Sound or over one of the area’s many lakes. Also, the streets flow with delicious seafood, produce, wine, and beer. Here’s a list of Fourth of July events around the Puget Sound to help you make the most of this holiday.
When: July 4
Where: Gas Works Park
Cost: Free
What: Voted one of the country’s best firework shows, this celebration features food vendors, exhibit booths, various musicians, and fireworks over Lake Union around 10pm.
Emerald Downs Fireworks Spectacular
When: July 3
Cost: $7
What: Emerald Downs hosts Fourth of July horse races, a concert featuring country star Rae Solomon, and fireworks, tentatively starting after 10pm.
When: July 4
Where: Ruston Way Waterfront
Cost: Free
What: The largest Fourth of July event in the state, this fair includes airshows, vendors, exhibits, and rides. Fireworks over the Puget Sound start around 10pm.
Colors of Freedom 4th of July Parade, Festival & Fireworks
When: July 4, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Where: Legion Memorial Park
Cost: Free
What: Everett’s Fourth of July celebrations include a parade through downtown, a festival at Legion Memorial Park, and a fireworks display over Port Gardner Bay, starting at 10 p.m.
When: June 30 – July 1, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: Woodland Park Zoo
Cost: Free
What: This family-friendly event allows guests to delight in watching the animals enjoy star-shaped popsicles, watermelons, and corn on the cob.
Bothell Freedom Festival Parade
When: July 4, 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Bothell Downtown Firehouse
Cost: Free
What: An excellent warm to evening firework festivities, the Bothell parade starts with a free pancake breakfast at the firehouse, followed by a parade along the main street.
Bellevue Family 4th presented by The Bellevue Collection
When: July 4, 2 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Where: Bellevue parks Family Fun Zone
Cost: Free
What: Bellevue’s family-friendly celebrations include bouncy houses, rides, jugglers, storytellers, and more, as well as fireworks set to the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra, starting at 10:05 p.m.
When: July 4, 7 a.m.
Where: Downtown Bainbridge Island
Cost: Free
What: If you’re feeling slightly more adventurous, it’s easy to take the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island to enjoy their festivities. The day includes a pancake breakfast, a classic car show, a street fair, a parade, and fireworks over Eagle Harbor around dusk.
If you’re looking to buy or sell your home in the Puget Sound area this summer, don’t hesitate to reach out to Pickett Street at info@pickettstreet.com or (425) 502-5397.