When it comes to the Fourth of July, Wallingford residents tend to fall into one of two camps: those who love the swarm of people converging on the neighborhood, and those who think the traffic, crowds, litter, and cars are an absolute nightmare. Personally, I love the neighborhood vibe on the Fourth but have never had the urge to venture south to Gas Works Park to catch a closer glimpse of the festivities. I’m fine with hanging out on the hill, mingling with the neighbors on the street who bring out their couches, barbecues, and even sno cone machines!
Starbucks will NOT be sponsoring the cleanup this year, enlisting and assisting volunteers, as they have in past years. We emailed Seafair a few days back for more info on the cleanup plan, but haven’t received a response at press time.
For those folks who want to be at the center of all the festivities, here’s a schedule of the events at Gas Works Park on the Fourth, from noon to 11pm:
Schedule of Events
12:00 p.m. – Gates open
2:00 p.m. – Velcromindset Performs on Stage
3:00 p.m. – Pie Eating, Sack Races, Hula Hoop Contest, Egg and Spoon Race, Tug-O-War
4:00 p.m. – Payton Rector Performs on Stage
5:00 p.m. – Pie Eating, Sack Races, Hula Hoop Contest, Egg and Spoon Race, Tug-O-War
6:00 p.m. – Payton Rector Performs on Stage
7:00 p.m. – Pie Eating, Sack Races, Hula Hoop Contest, Egg and Spoon Race, Tug-O-War
10:15 p.m. – Fireworks Show Begins
Prohibited Items
The following items are not allowed on the premises: Personal barbecues, marijuana, alcohol, fireworks, pets, weapons, tent stakes, glass bottles, and knives with blades over 3″ in length.
Seafair Summer Fourth Sponsors
Amazon, Microsoft, DoubleDown Interactive, Wells Fargo, Washington National Guard, 7UP, Anchor Brewing Company, Starbucks, Tom Douglas Restaurants, City of Seattle, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Sailor Jerry, Reyka Vodka, KIRO 7 Eyewitness News, Warm 106.9 FM Today’s Soft Favorites, Movin 92.5 All The Hits!, The New Click 98.9 – Modern Music, AM 880 KIXI Music – As Cool Now As It Was Then, Alternative Talk 1150 KKNW, Rockstar Energy, TalkingRain Beverage Company, Waterbrook Wine, SeattlePI.com, Western Washington Hyundai Dealers Association.
Send your neighborhood photos from the Fourth of July to [email protected] and we’ll put them together in a post.
Very worried that there is no plan for cleanup. Who do we need to call?
There is a plan. Seafair has a plan, but not a large volunteer community event as has happened in past. Ive spoken with Starbucks and emailed with Seafair. The change from One Reel to maybe no sponsor of the Family 4th to Seafair at last ‘minute’ left operations & planning to be developed and carried out by Seafair.
I will miss the community cleanup. I found a different activity to contribute to cleanup for myself.
Seafair took on the huge event when we might not have had anything. I respect that. they had a shiftboard fo rvolunteers for all Seafair events which includes some for the night of the 4th.
what a real pity that people can’t imagine a more enviro-friendly and money saving form of amusement in this neighborhood!!! so many people are suffering from a sluggish economy and job market, and all that Wallyhood and other areas can think to do is blow up (in just about a half hour) half a million or more in smoke, enviro pollution and waste!!!!!!!!!!
the “clean-up” on the following day does not save the einviro from the destruction to the animal habitat at the park and in the water!