Good morning and Happy Independence Day! Our full lineup of 4th of July-related information is on this special WSB page, but here are a few toplines:

FORECAST FOR THE FOURTH: Cloudy now but supposed to burn off at “midday,” says the National Weather Service, as it has the past few days.

WEST SEATTLE 4TH OF JULY KIDS’ PARADE: The peninsula’s only 4th of July parade starts at 44th and Sunset at 10 am. Everyone’s welcome to join the fun, walking/rolling along a fairly short route to Hamilton Viewpoint Park, where you’ll find old-fashioned games on the green plus concessions, for a fun celebration to start your holiday. Remember the diaper drive at the start of the route this year for WestSide Baby! And if you’re not in the parade or watching it, do avoid the north end of California till it’s over, as traffic will be stopped while paraders cross. We’ll post a traffic alert on WSB and our other channels once they’re all on the other side.

BOATING OR GOING TO THE BEACH? Seal Sitters reminds you that it’s pupping season and what you do, or don’t do, on beaches and on the water can be a matter of life and death.

SPEAKING OF WATER: The new Highland Park Spraypark is open daily 11 am-8 pm; the city wading-pool hotline says that since the forecast is for sunshine and 70s later, the pools WILL be open – in our area, on Thursdays, that’ll be Lincoln Park, EC Hughes, and Delridge (hours are on the citywide season schedule). Outdoor Colman Pool will be open (here’s its schedule); indoor Southwest Pool, closed.

LOST OR FOUND PET? While personal fireworks are illegal, many use them anyway, and that leads to more than a few pets getting spooked and running away. If you find or lose a pet, we hope West Seattle’s only dedicated online HQ for such notices can help with a reunion – e-mail info (photo if available but not required) to editor@westseattleblog.com – we will be on duty as always, well into the night.

Again – lots more on the West Seattle 4th of July page.