4th of July fireworks coming back to Elliott Bay? Might happen

| Holidays | West Seattle news

(July 4, 2008 photo by Susan Grossman of Singing Pixel Photography)
We’ve already talked about today’s one big announcement regarding this summer – the cancellation of the Blue Angels‘ season, including their Seattle shows. And now we have reason to talk about the other one: Not only are Seafair and the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce saying they’re working together with Mayor McGinn on 4th of July fireworks – for which the longtime Family 4th producer couldn’t raise the money – but the show might move away from Lake Union. Maybe even Elliott Bay, reports Emily Heffter from The Seattle Times (WSB partner). Her story also mentions Seattle Center as a possible location, though, having produced TV coverage of the Bellevue Square-launched fireworks for a few years, we can tell you that a landlocked urban location like that would mean smaller shells and a less-spectacular show. There hasn’t been an Elliott Bay fireworks show since July 4, 2008; that show’s longtime sponsor Ivar’s announced its cancellation in April 2009.

Jeff April 9, 2013 (3:40 pm)

I wonder if this is something that could go up on Kickstarter.

natinstl April 9, 2013 (4:22 pm)

They already tried to solicit donations so I’m not sure how Kickstarter might be different. I saw ads running on TV and online asking for donations prior to them announcing they weren’t going to do the fireworks. I know this sounds like I’m a downer, but we have people living in tents all over the city and more people than ever lining up for food.I feel like the money could be put to better use elsewhere. Fireworks are nice, but they aren’t necessary.

West Seattle Hipster April 9, 2013 (5:09 pm)

I could care less either way about a fireworks show, but I am concerned that if there is not a public show, the insane pyromaniacs in my neighborhood will double up on their illegal shows and burn our houses down.

Diane April 9, 2013 (5:11 pm)

would love to see celebration moved back to downtown waterfront

natinstl April 9, 2013 (5:16 pm)

Same here Hipster.

Patriot April 9, 2013 (5:32 pm)

We keep wondering what happened to the funds collected for the potential show that is now not happening. Anybody?

WSB April 9, 2013 (5:56 pm)

One Reel is quoted in various places as saying those contributions will be refunded.

elikapeka April 9, 2013 (5:53 pm)

There are eight Fortune 500 companies in Seattle that could underwrite this and it wouldn’t even be a bleep on their bottom line. I don’t know why one or more of them can’t step up and sponsor it on a long-term deal and be done with it.

And maybe fireworks and sports events and community celebrations aren’t necessary, but they contribute to the quality of life and sense of connection in a community. Yes, they can be noisy and inconvenient. But they also provide jobs, even if they’re temporary, they circulate money into the community – the vendors, security, cleaning up afterwards, all jobs created by these events – they give us a chance to interact with our neighbors and share common experiences, and create happy family memories. Lighten up, people.

Diane April 9, 2013 (5:57 pm)

agree hipster

sam-c April 9, 2013 (7:19 pm)

+1 more for Hipster’s comment

WsEd April 9, 2013 (7:36 pm)

Sorry but I just don’t care about the fireworks in Seattle anymore. And now the contrivance that Seafair has become is dwindling as well. Maybe Seattle is evolving past these and it’s time for something new.

zipline April 9, 2013 (7:44 pm)

The fireworks over Commencement Bay is still on. Come on down to Tacoma.

Alki Beach Guy April 9, 2013 (8:10 pm)

That would be very cool to have them over Eliot Bay. Does anyone remember whether they could be seen from Alki, or did you need to walk around the point, ie: by Salty’s?

WSB April 9, 2013 (8:25 pm)

We watched the fireworks a few years from near the Bathhouse.

Guy April 9, 2013 (10:51 pm)

How about near that eagle nest on Harbor Ave? Or by those buoys in Elliot Bay? Or on the Duwamish near the Osprey nests ?

Noelle April 9, 2013 (10:58 pm)

Well Said West Seattle Hipster! The Homemade Fireworks Shows/illegal shows might go crazy and lead to a lot more noise and injuries. It would be cool to have the Show in Elliott Bay again, but if that is the only show in town Alki will be a tourist filled war-zone.

Noelle April 9, 2013 (11:02 pm)

Alki Beach Guy – I remember watching the Elliott Bay show from Alki Beach across the street from SUNFISH.

bolo April 9, 2013 (11:19 pm)

Can someone explain what fireworks have to do with US Independence?

JRR April 10, 2013 (10:33 am)

Seafair doesn’t make any sense to me, a non-native. It seems like anything to do with summer gets the Seafair label slapped on it – from June to September.Honestly, can someone explain it to me? Does “Seafair” just mean “summer?”

WSB April 10, 2013 (10:34 am)

No, Seafair is an organization that sanctions certain summer events. You can’t just “slap” the label on it. For example, while we have a plethora of summer events here in West Seattle, only a few are linked officially to Seafair – the Pirates’ Landing and West Seattle Grand Parade come to mind – TR

CR April 10, 2013 (11:38 am)

I can’t wait to shoot off a ton of my own fireworks this year. Whoo hoo!

skeeter April 10, 2013 (12:38 pm)

natinstl – yes homelessness is a problem. But I think it is still appropriate to allocate tax resources to a variety of activities. We still operate parks and libraries even though that money could be put to use taking care of the homeless.

The Original MB April 10, 2013 (2:15 pm)

@JRR

“In the half century since Seafair was launched, the city that Seafair helped put on the map has matured from adolescence to adulthood. When Seafair debuted, the Seattle area was without major league sports teams or the Seattle Center. Seattle was hungry for national recognition and attention and Seafair filled the bill with Thunderboats racing on Lake Washington and parades which featured the likes of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby.

Over the years, Seafair built pride among the community which still resonates today. The Puget Sound of today is a robust, economically and ethnically diverse community and Seafair has become more important than ever. As major cities melt and become the same, Seafair is the fabric of our community that represents the Northwest lifestyle and keeps us unique.

Seafair has become a home town jewel that reaches nearly 2 million Puget Sound residents each summer. In fact, if you live in the Northwest, you look forward to Seafair and all the simple joys that it brings.”