The West Seattle 4th of July page is the one-stop holiday shop, but we have a few additional details right now, from answers to some questions about the Alki traffic restrictions tomorrow night, to some fireworks facts you might find fun if you are info-nuts like us. First, we talked to Lt. Norm James – who wanted you to have first word of the Alki restrictions in mid-June (original WSB report here) – and he answered a few of the questions we’d been asked:

–Admiral: It will stay open. But the streets that head west toward Alki will all be involved in the traffic restriction when it kicks in around 6 pm.

-Buses: They will continue to go through along Alki/Harbor. (Links to the holiday bus/Water Taxi schedules on on the 4th of July page.)

-Who gets through: As previously stated in the police advisory, residents’ “guests” will be allowed through – Lt. James says he’s been advising that people who fit into that category get a note from their host(s) that they can show police, or have a phone number ready for officers to check.

Lt. James said few complaints have come in about the plan to reinstitute these restrictions (which were used some years back) and they expect everything to go smoothly.

Now, the parade reminder – Sherri Chun sends a reminder that the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade is definitely on for tomorrow, starting @ 10:30 am at 44th/Sunset, followed by picnicking and games at Hamilton Viewpoint. The only other 4th of July parade in West Seattle is an informal neighborhood parade planned around the new Ercolini Park (which is looking ahead to its formal dedication on July 12th). Other events here.

Last but by no means least – THE FIREWORKS! Most of the fireworks you’ll see from north- and east-facing West Seattle are from the 4th of Jul-Ivar’s show, which traces its history back to legendary West Seattleite Ivar Haglund (seafood-eatery namesake). We’re planning to join the media tour of the fireworks barge in the morning as part of our holiday coverage (we’ll continue updating through the day). But before that, here are some fun facts about this year’s show, from the Ivar’s PR team:

Ivar’s 44th Annual 4th of Jul-Ivar’s Fireworks Show

** Factsheet **

WHEN: Friday, July 4, 2008, Approximately 10 – 10:30 p.m.

WHERE: Over Seattle’s Elliott Bay

LIVE TELECAST: KOMO TV (Channel 4)

RADIO SIMULCAST: Star 101.5 FM

PYROTECHNIC FACTS:

• Pyrotechnic partner: Western Display Fireworks, 20+ years with Ivar’s

• Total shell rounds used: 10,120

• Size range of shells: ¾ of an inch up to 12 inches

• Combined shell weight: 12,000 pounds (6 tons)

o Weight of shells is equivalent to 12,000 16-ounce sodas from Ivar’s

o 48,000 average cell phones equal the weight of the fireworks shipment

• Height/width in air:

o Highest shell lofts 1,000 to 1,200 feet high

o Widest shell breaks 1,000 to 1,200 feet wide

o Something that bursts 1,000 feet high and is 435 feet wide affects about 10 acres of area
(turned sideways!).

o 1,000 feet is more than twice the height of the Smith Tower (462 ft).

o You’d have to line up approximately 2,000 fish ‘n chips end-to-end to equate to the width
of the biggest bursting firework in the show.

• Pyrotechnic manpower: Team of 15 who plan, execute, clean up and debrief

• Color types: Vibrant with names such as Ruby, Sapphire, Fuchsia, Turquoise, Aqua, Orange,
Pink, Violet, Orange, Lemon, Green, Gold, Silver and White.

• Fireworks shapes: Chrysanthemum, Peony, Dahlia, Spider, Octopus, Heart, Tree, Tiger Tail,
Waterfall, Butterfly, Smiley Face, Saturn Ring, Star, Kamuro (a dense burst of glittering metallic
stars), Willow, Comets and Lanterns.

• Special effects: Crackling, Twirl, Whistle, Tourbillion, Whirl, Salute, Strobe, Twinkling, Artillery,
Go Getters, Bees and Thunder. More sophisticated effects include transitional fireworks with
multiple colors and shapes; single-, double- and triple-break items; multi-effect display boxes; and
giant display candles.

SYNCHRONIZED SONG LIST (approx 23 minutes):
1. Welcome Back my Friends – Emerson Lake & Palmer 2. Indiana Jones Raiders March – John Williams
3. Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
4. It’s a Beautiful Day – U2
5. Love is Free – Cheryl Crow
6. America the Beautiful – Ray Charles
7. Don’t Stop – Fleetwood Mac
8. (Finale) Coming to America – Neil Diamond
9. Ivar’s Trailer

EVENT BACKGROUND:

• The 4th of Jul-Ivar’s fireworks show started 44 years ago when Seattle native and Ivar’s
“flounder,” Ivar Haglund, was given a last-minute chance to save the town’s annual
Seattle fireworks show from cancellation. Haglund funded the entire show and used the
opportunity to thank his customers and give back to a community that had given him so
much.

• Ivar’s Restaurants and Seafood Bars has played host to the 4th of Jul-Ivar’s celebration
since 1964.

• The 4th of Jul-Ivar’s fireworks show has grown to become the longest-running, privately
held fireworks show on the West Coast.

• The event is fully paid for and produced by Ivar’s as Ivar’s traditional gift to the Northwest.

• In the early years, Haglund, produced a public July 4 fireworks celebration at the now
closed Captain’s Table and at Green Lake. Haglund was later approached by the city of
Seattle to produce the July 4 fireworks community event. Haglund wanted to help the city,
thank his customers and give back to the community, and thus, the official “4th of Jul-
Ivar’s” was born.

• This year the celebration added a 4th of Jul-Ivar’s promotional artwork contest for
Washington school-aged children; the winning composition was an acrylic-painted, night
skyline by Naomi Newlin of Poulsbo, age 14.

More later; full events list here (including other shows in Western Washington, some of which are happening tonight).