Highline will explode with Independence Day events on Wednesday, July 4.

So take a mid-week work break and enjoy parades, fireworks and more with your family. Fuel for the gas-guzzler is expensive so celebrate the national holiday, locally.

Burien

Organizers say the Burien Independence Day Parade has gained a reputation as one of the most enjoyable and spirited community parades in this region.

Community pride will shine with marching bands, energetic dance teams, elaborate floats and vintage autos.

Local community members will recognize familiar faces among the many organizations and elected officials that participate.

The parade is set against the charming backdrop of Downtown Burien, which features a mixture of business, retail and restaurants, along with the central landmarks of Burien Town Square and City Hall.

This year, the Grand Marshall of the parade is John Feeney, recipient of the Burien Citizen of the Year award. He is a mentor in Highline’s New Start program, as well as a volunteer at several elementary school reading programs. Feeney will be joined by several of his reading students in the parade.

The parade begins at 3 p.m. at Ambaum Blvd. S.W. and S.W. 149th St. The route will head south on Ambaum, east on S.W. 153rd St., north on 4th Ave. S.W. then west on S.W. 152nd. St.
The Boeing Company, the Burien/White Center Rotary Club, Highline Amateur Radio Club, Highline Medical Center, CleanScapes and Republic Services sponsor the parade.

Partners for the event are the city of Burien and the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce.

Cyclists will race through downtown Burien on the morning of the Fourth of July. The 37th Annual Joe Matava Memorial Classic Criterium & WA State Juniors Criterium Championship will be held before the the parade.

Racing starts at 7:30 a.m. and continues until around 2:30 p.m.

The race will speed along a flat, 4-corner, 0.6-mile long course through downtown Burien.

And new this year, Organizers are partnering with the Northwest Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America, located along 152nd in downtown Burien right along the race route. This is a great group to support—and contributions will be accepted on their behalf (in addition to entry fees), that will go directly to NWPVA and will be fully tax deductible. Also, for the 2nd year they will have a Hand Cycle Race in which some of the PVA members will be participating.

The neighborhood of Three Tree Point also goes all-out to celebrate the 4th of July, with community events, flag-raising ceremony, kid's parade, live music and a barge-based fireworks display.

Des Moines

A spectacular 20-minute fireworks display over the historic Des Moines waterfront will begin at 10 p.m.

Gated areas in the marina north parking lot and Beach Park will open at 6 p.m. Food vendors and entertainment will be available.

Residents are encouraged to bring family, picnic, lawn chairs or blankets and sit back and watch the fireworks show.

A $1 per person donation is requested, but not required, at entry points to support the event. No personal fireworks, alcohol, portable BBQs, pets or vehicles will be allowed inside gated areas. For information regarding handicap parking, call Des Moines Marina at 206-824-5700.

Organizers emphasize that the success of Fireworks Over Des Moines depends on community business donations as well as volunteer support.

Tax-deductible donation in any amount may be made to Destination Des Moines – Fireworks Over Des Moines Fund c/o
22506 Marine View Dr. S #301, Des Moines, WA 98198 or 
call 206-824-5700 for more information. Donations are also taken online through PayPal.

The events are sponsored by Destination Des Moines and Powell Homes.

Normandy Park

The community celebration begins at 10:25 a.m. with a 2.8K Fun Run. It’s free, but participants are encouraged to pre-register. The course is from Marvista Elementary to Marine View Drive & Shoremont.

Runners should arrive at the starting area before 10:15am

At 10:30 a.m. the Children’s Parade leaves Marvista parking lot.

Everyone is welcome to join in, either from the start or from anywhere along the parade route, which ends at the Cove building.

Expect to see classic cars, floats, wagons, bicycles, strollers and marching bands. However, no campaigning or political signs are allowed.

The Normandy Park Arts Commission will offer children prizes for the best-decorated bicycles.

Around 11:15 a.m., free ice cream will be served at the Cove. Hot dogs and beverages will also be available.

The field will be lined with the classic cars, large blow up toys and a booth offering temporary tattoos for the youngsters.

All of this will be accompanied by live patriotic music on the lawn.

SeaTac

A Kiddies parade begins at 10 a.m. near the back entrance to Angle Lake Park at South 194th Street and 33rd Avenue South. The parade is followed by a patriotic singalong and an ice cream social.

The city of SeaTac is co-sponsoring a fireworks display along with the Angle Lake Shore Club at 10 p.m.
Angle Lake Park, 19408 International Blvd. S., will be open late in order for patrons to enjoy the show. Overflow parking is available at Alaska Airlines located just north of the park.

Tukwila

Tukwila is celebrating Family Fourth at the Fort from 4-10 p.m.
Fort Dent Park is located at 6800 Fort Dent Way.
The Park opens to the public at 9 a.m. with event activities beginning at 4 p.m. Parking is limited at the park.
Free fun for the entire family includes inflatable bouncers and slides and an entertainment stage.
Participants may bring their your own picnic or purchase food from vendors. BBQ's are allowed in designated areas only.
The fireworks display begins at 10 p.m.

Tukwila’s Museum of Flight

Members of Skyway Post 9430 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars honor the Nation’s 232nd birthday with a salute to the American flag—all 27 versions that have officially represented the United States over the years at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the William M. Allen Theater.
From the first 13 star flag authorized by Congress in 1777 to today’s 50 star flag, the presentation of each iteration is accompanied with the story of its symbolism in this moving and educational program for all ages.

The museum will also offer its regular Beyond the Blue Horizon - Stories of Aviation and Aerospace program at 1 p.m.

This storytelling program presented every weekday by members of the museum’s docent corps. These 10 to 15-minute programs present true stories that range from tales of personal heroism in war and peacetime to the day-to-day adventures of pilots and ground crew in commercial aviation and aerospace.

Both the flags presentation and the storytelling are free with museum admission and free to museum members.
The museum is located at 9404 East Marginal Way.