They were a hit last year, and this summer, SDOT is sending weekend traffic alerts again. This coming weekend is particularly busy, so read on to see the full list (which we’ll also link to the WSB July 4th page), which includes mention of the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade (all welcome to participate!):

Full text of SDOT’s news release:

The coming Fourth of July weekend promises fun and frustration – fun for the whole family and, no doubt, some frustration for motorists. On Saturday, July 3, throngs in the thousands will be turning out for the annual Wooden Boat Festival at Lake Union; meanwhile thousands of “Zombies” in the Fremont district will attempt to stagger and stumble their way into the Guinness Book of Records for the most zombies in one place at the same time. Saturday night, over 1600 die-hard runners will take part in the Firecracker 5000 and race around the Seattle Center in the city’s only midnight race. Sunday night’s Family Fourth at Lake Union will draw over 50,000 people to watch the fireworks at Gasworks Park; plus another 50,000 people are expected to gather at viewpoints around the city to watch the nighttime show in the sky.

The Seattle Department of Transportation encourages motorists to help reduce traffic congestion by taking one of the many alternate modes of transportation available – the Sounder commuter train, Link light rail, Metro Transit, car pool, bicycle or walk, if feasible. Please see the following schedule of events with street closures and expected traffic impacts.

Saturday, July 3

Red, White and Dead Zombie Walk: 12 noon – Midnight
Fremont Outdoor Movies – 3501 Phinney Avenue N – Attempt to beat Guinness Book of Records with most “zombies” in one location.
3,575 expected
5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Zombies will dance and walk on sidewalks in the Fremont neighborhood; N 35th Street will be closed from Phinney Avenue N to First Avenue NW.

Club Northwest Firecracker 5000: 11:55 p.m. – 12:55 A.m.
Seattle Center
1,675 expected
Midnight race starts at the Memorial Stadium, heads out on Fourth Avenue N at Republican, north on Fourth to Mercer, east on Mercer to Ninth Avenue N, north on Ninth to Broad, west on Broad to Denny, west on Denny to First Avenue N, north on First to Mercer, east on Mercer to Fifth Avenue N; , south on Fifth to Harrison Street, west on Harrison to Second Avenue N, north on Second to Mercer Street; east on Mercer to Fourth Ave N; south on Fourth to finish at the Memorial Stadium. Seattle Police will be on hand to direct traffic.

Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The Center for Wooden Boats on S Lake Union – 1010 Valley Street
15,500 expected
Expect congestion in area, particularly on Valley Street, which may impact traffic coming off of I-5 at Mercer Street.

Sunday, July 4

Groundspeak’s Lost & Found 10th Anniversary: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Fremont Headquarters – Geocaching/outdoor treasure hunting
4,025
Traffic will likely be congested as event will be taking place in the vicinity of the Fremont Sunday Street Market located in the 400 block of N 34th Street.

Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The Center for Wooden Boats on S Lake Union – 1010 Valley Street
15,500 expected
Expect congestion in area, particularly on Valley Street, which may impact traffic coming off of I-5 at Mercer Street.

Admiral Fourth of July Kids Parade: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
500 expected
Parade starts at 44th Avenue SW and Sunset Avenue SW; goes south on Sunset to SW Atlantic Street; east on Atlantic to Palm Avenue SW; and north on Palm into Hamilton Viewpoint Park. Expect rolling slowdowns; Seattle Police will escort.

Family 4th at Lake Union: 11 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Fireworks display off Gasworks Park on Lake Union
50,400 expected in and around Gasworks Park
Park opens at 12 Noon
From 12 noon to 6 p.m., Seattle Police will set up a perimeter restricting traffic to “local access only” between Sunnyside Avenue N on the east, Interlake Avenue N on the west, N 39th Street on the north and N Northlake Way/GasWorks Park on the south. From 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., the restricted traffic access perimeter will be enlarged to I-5 on the east, Stone Way N on the west, N 40th Street on the north and N Northlake Way/ Lake Union/Gas Works Park on the south. Fireworks begin at 10 p.m.

Another 50,000 are expected to watch the display from Alki Beach and other viewpoints around the city.

Traffic will likely be very congested throughout the downtown corridor and the Fremont, Wallingford, University and Alki neighborhoods.

Boat traffic is expected to increase at least 30 percent on the Lake Union for the event. Boaters coming into Lake Union need to pass through the Lake Washington Ship Canal keeping the following times in mind: the Fremont Bridge will not open for marine traffic between 9 p.m. on the 4th until 12:30 a.m. on the July 5th; the Ballard and University Bridge will not open for marine traffic from 10 p.m. on the 4th until 1:00 a.m. July 5.

Monday, July 5

Seattle Mariners vs. the Kansas City Royals: 7:10 – 10 p.m.
Safeco Field
22,000 expected
Traffic will be congested in the SODO area before and after the game.

(We’re doublechecking with SPD to see if there are any West Seattle 4th of July night restrictions you need to know about if you’re heading out to watch the fireworks from a WS viewpoint.)