Celebrate the 4th of July Around the South Sound with Events, Celebrations and Fireworks

 

By Steve Dunkelberger

sunset chevroletPierce County 4th of July events range from huge to small and loud to quiet. With everything from live music and parades to food and fireworks, there’s a 4th of July celebration around the South Sound that’s right for you and your family.

Tacoma Rainiers Fireworks Show

Kicking off the weekend of booms and bangs will be the Tacoma Rainiers as they host the Las Vegas 51s on July 3, followed by a post-game fireworks show.

Tacoma Freedom Fair
The Tacoma Freedom Fair is a day-long event along Ruston Way that includes music, food and fun, and closes with an impressive fireworks show.

Tacoma Freedom Fair

The biggest July 4 weekend show in the 253 is the annual Tacoma Freedom Fair along Tacoma’s waterfront. The annual event runs the full length of Ruston Way, with all things festive.

The free, public event will have independence day activities, vendors, food options, music and family-friendly activities throughout the day, including an air show and displays of all sorts to showcase the city’s ties to its working waterfront and maritime history. The Freedom Fair Express Bus Service will be available to help shuttle people to and from the waterfront festivities to parking lots at the Tacoma Dome Station and Tacoma Community College for just $5 for a round trip.

Freedom Fest 2015

For Independence Day fun seekers searching for more soldier-oriented activities, Joint Base Lewis-McChord will be holding Freedom Fest 2015 at Cowan and Memorial Stadiums starting at noon and ending with fireworks at 10:00 p.m.

Families are invited to enjoy a street parade and activities during Steilacoom's annual Grand Old 4th of July Celebration.
Families are invited to enjoy a street parade and activities during Steilacoom’s annual Grand Old 4th of July Celebration.

The day-long event is free and open to the public. It will include displays and demonstrations of military hardware both past and present as well as activities for the family, including classic cars, carnival rides and music. Non-military personnel can catch a shuttle to the festivities at the DuPont Gate off Exit 119.

Grand Old 4th of July Celebration

For a more hometown feel, Steilacoom’s Grand Old 4th of July Celebration will offer its annual parade and street fair along Lafayette Street as well as street dancing that will be capped off with fireworks over Puget Sound. Activities start at 9:00 a.m. with a fun run, followed by the street fair of vendors, displays and activities such as games, ice cream socials, pony rides and museum tours.

Wings and Wheels

Filling out the Independence Day weekend will be Gig Harbor’s fifth annual Wings and Wheels from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on July 5 at the Tacoma Narrows Airport. The event will have a mix of airplanes and classic cars as well as special attractions like bi-plane rides, car and aircraft displays, live music and the Smoke ‘N’ Thunder Jet Dragster making a 300-mph run down the runway. A highlight of the event will be the three hours of aerial demonstrations and displays, featuring warbirds and aerobatic airplanes as well as food, music and family fun.

wings and wheels B 25
Filling out the Independence Day weekend will be Gig Harbor’s fifth annual Wings and Wheels from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on July 5 at the Tacoma Narrows Airport.

New this year will be a visit from the Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron’s P-51 Mustang “Tuskegee Airman” that will include the squadron’s “Rise Above” Traveling Exhibit, making its first ever West Coast appearance. This exhibit allows visitors to put themselves in the cockpit and soar above the clouds in their own P-51C Mustang. The exhibit also includes the original film, “Rise Above,” on a 160-degree panoramic screen in a 30-seat temperature-controlled movie theater.

Due to the limited access to the Narrows Airport, airport parking will only be available for those who have purchased their tickets online in advance of the event. Day-of-event ticket purchasers should go to designated parking lots at St. Anthony’s Medical Building, with shuttle busses running to the event every 15 minutes.