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Celebrating the 4th of July

Parades, Celebrations, and Firework Displays in Issaquah, Sammamish, Snoqualmie, and Beyond

June 30, 2016
As most of you know by now, Independence Day holds a special place in our hearts.  Dana and I were both married on the 4th of July...not to each other, of course, but we find it quite a coincidence that we picked the same day to say, “I do!"  

This holiday is deeply rooted in history. The Fourth of July is a day to show our patriotism.  It is also a day to spend with family and friends.  A day of traditions and celebrations.  Don your red, white, and blue.  Fire up the grill or pack a picnic. Watch a parade. Enjoy a spectacular fireworks display.  Participate in the many community events taking place this weekend ... and listed right here on the Macaroni Kid calendar, your source for all the family-friendly happenings!

You can find all of the details listed in our Event Calendar for the 4th of July.

DURING THE DAY:

SNOQUALMIE: 4th of July Parade and Celebration
WHEN: 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM
WHERE: Snoqualmie Community Park | 35016 SE Ridge Street

Celebrate the 4th of July at the Community Park. Show your spirit and decorate your bikes, tricycles, skateboards, scooters, wagons in red, white, and blue and come walk or ride in the parade as it makes it way to the Community Park! The parade is scheduled from 10:30-11:00 AM, but you should arrive by 10:15 if you plan to walk in the parade. Line up starts at Cascade View Elementary. Following the parade you'll find lots of activity at Community Park including food vendors, pony rides, bouncy houses, and more!

ISSAQUAH: 
Kids, Pets n' Pride Parade, Down Home 4th of July, Heritage Day Celebration
WHEN: Parade starts at 11:00 AM followed by festivities until 2:00 PM
WHERE: along Front Street for the parade and then at Veterans' Memorial Park (also known as the Train Park) and at the Depot

Issaquah is the place to be for good ol' fashioned fun on July 4th!  The celebration kicks off with the Kids 'n Pets Parade at 11:00 AM.  You can either find a spot along Front Street to watch the colorful entries or dress up your bike, scooter, wagon, and/or pets to participate. Register early with an online application or day-of at the Holt Building, 425 Rainier Blvd N. Parade line up starts at 10:00 AM all along Rainier Blvd N.

After the parade head to Veterans' Memorial Park for Down Home fun with pony rides, bouncy houses, water balloons, gunnysacks and three legged races to win all kinds of fun, red, white and blue prizes.  We also hear you can expect a Hay Hunt, the official Slug Speed Race and Beauty Pageant, and pie eating contest!

Heritage Day is an opportunity for kids of all ages to get their hands on history. Head to the Issaquah Depot Museum to make your own butter, use a washboard and wringer to wash clothes, operate a pump car up and down the track, and other hands-on activities!

IN THE EVENING:

SNOQUALMIE {NEW}: Red White & Boom! Public Fireworks Display Show
WHEN: 9:45pm (seating will open at 7:00 pm)
WHERE: Snoqualmie Community Park Upper/Lower Soccer Fields

This 1st Annual event is being organized in response to New Fireworks Laws in Snoqualmie: No Aerial Devices Allowed. Fireworks laws in Snoqualmie have changed for 2016. Some fireworks bought at state-approved stands and on tribal reservations are not legal in Snoqualmie, such as aerial devices and firecrackers.   Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and enjoy the show!

SAMMAMISH:
 Fourth on the Plateau
WHEN: 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm | Fireworks at 10:00 pm
WHERE: Limited seating is available in Upper Commons (801 228th Ave SE) with preferred seating available in the Lower Commons (550 222nd Pl SE).

People start setting up chairs and blankets early in the evening and then wander around enjoying live music, food vendors, plus bounce houses and other activities for the kids until the fireworks display starts at 10:00 pm.  New this year - the trail between upper and lower Commons will remain open during the entire event. Parking is available in off-site lots along 228th Avenue. Sites nearest to City Hall charge $5 per car.  Get updates
via Facebook.

A reminder that fireworks are ILLEGAL within the city limits of Sammamish.  
To enforce the rules, the police department will be on the lookout for illegal fireworks activity.  The fine for possession of fireworks is $500; the fine for discharge is $1,000.

Other nearby options ...
 
CARNATION: The Great 4th of July Celebration at Tolt-MacDonald Park, 31023 NE 40th St, at dusk.

RENTONGene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd N, at 10:00 pm.

BELLEVUE: Bellevue Downtown Park, 10201 NE 4th St, at 10:15 pm.

KIRKLAND: Marina Park, 25 Lakeshore Plaza Dr, at 10:15 pm.

SEATTLE Seafair Summer FourthGasworks Park, 2101 N. Northlake Way, at dusk.

Other areas: Here is a link to all Washington State Public Display Fireworks Shows.

If you're willing to drive a little further, there are plenty of other events happening in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Tacoma, and beyond.  Your best source for those event details are neighboring Macaroni Kid sites like The Eastside and Cherry Valley; in fact, there are 12 MacKid sites in the state of WA and well over 700 nationwide - where ever you're celebrating, check for Macaroni Kid!

We also have fireworks safety information and an easy noisemaker craft.  Just remember - have fun, but be safe!

NOTE: We do our best to make sure events are accurately listed, but it's always best to double check before you show up!  Most events have websites.  Thanks!