Did you catch the announcement this morning on KONG 6/16 about the fate of this year’s Family 4th show on Lake Union? Jon Stone, One Reel’s Executive Director announced that Microsoft and Starbucks have already donated $125K each for the 2011 show. One Reel needs about $200k more to make the event happen again this year, and is once again turning to the public for donations. They hope to meet their goal by March 1.
After Chase Bank dropped its sponsorship last year, the fate of the show was up in the air, until 300 sponsors stepped-in including Tom Douglas Restaurants and Dave Ross and saved it. This year Charter supporters, including Nordstrom, Beechers, Charlie’s Produce, and Tom Douglas Restaurants have already signed up to pledge support.
Every year, the show draws 50,000 spectators and 200,000 viewers who watch on TV. You can make a donation of any amount to the Family 4th website by clicking here.
This past 4th my husband and I quietly moseyed down to Gas Works Park with mild expectations for this event. We casually decided to “might as well” just join the crowd in the park. We soon found ourselves in the middle of back to back shoulder to shoulder people from the tip of the hill to the dips in the valley, many with tiny lights illuminated against the night sky. The peaceful gathering of so many folks and the general glee of the crowd was absolutely wonderful; the fireworks and synchronicity of the music were spectacular. One of my best experiences in Wallingford!