Over the next four days there’s plenty of fun planned for folks of all ages in communities throughout the City. In order to enjoy the action, drivers should plan on delays associated with the events. Please see the schedule of events below.
The Seattle Department of Transportation, however, encourages motorists to join the effort to reduce air pollution by not driving alone and trying one of the many alternate forms of transportation available – Metro Transit, the Sounder, Link light rail, West Seattle Water Taxi, the Seattle Streetcar, the Seattle Monorail, (links provide holiday schedules).
Thursday, July 3
Storm vs. L.A. Sparks: 7 – 9:30 p.m.
Key Arena, Seattle Center
5,000 attending
Expect normal congestion on the west side of the Center.
Firecracker 5000 Race: 11:55 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Center grounds – starts and ends at Memorial Stadium (Fourth Avenue and Republican Street)
1,400 participating
Race route: starts at Fourth Avenue N and Republican Street; heads north on Fourth to Mercer Street; east on Mercer to Ninth Avenue N; south on Ninth to Republican Street; west on Republican to Eighth Avenue N; south on Eighth to Thomas Street; west on Thomas to Dexter Avenue N; north on Dexter to Mercer Street; west on Mercer to Fifth Avenue N; south on Fifth to Broad Street; west on Broad to Denny Way, west on Denny to First Avenue N; north on First to Mercer Street; east on Mercer to Fifth Avenue N; south on Fifth to Republican Street, west on Republican into Memorial Stadium. Traffic shouldn’t be impacted too much given the late hour of the event. For more information, please see:
http://www.promotionevents.com/Firecracker/info.htm
Friday, July 4
Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Center for Wooden Boats and Lake Union Park
4,000 attending
Expect congestion in the area at the south end of the lake.
For more information, please see: http://cwb.org/events/festival/ -More-
Admiral Fourth of July Kids Parade: 10 a.m.
Parade assembles at 44th Avenue SW and Sunset Avenue SW
1500 participants
Parade route: Starts 44th Avenue SW and Sunset, heads south on Sunset to SW Atlantic Street; east on Atlantic to Palm Avenue SW; north on Palm into Hamilton View Point Park. Drivers can expect congestion in the area.
For more information, please see: http://www.westseattlejuly4parade.com/
Seafair Summer Fourth: 10:20 pm.
Gas Works Park and Lake Union Park
65,000 attending
Gates open at 12:00 Noon;
12 Noon: Neighborhoods to the north of Gas Works Park (from N 40th Street south to N Northlake Way) closed to all but Local Access;
Expect heavy congestion in the neighborhoods surrounding Lake Union.
For more information, please see: http://www.seafair.com/AnEvent.aspx?ID=24&SecID=1018
Saturday, July 5
The Color Festival: 12 Noon – 5 p.m.
Next 50 Plaza, Seattle Center
5,000 attending
Expect heavier traffic on Fifth Avenue.
Storm vs. Chicago Sky: 7 – 9:30 p.m.
Key Arena, Seattle Center
5,000 attending
Expect normal congestion on the west side of the Center.
Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Center for Wooden Boats and Lake Union Park
2,000 expected; event hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; expect congestion in the area.
For more information, please see: http://cwb.org/events/festival/
Wallingford Family Festival Parade: 11 a.m.
Lincoln High School – gathering and staging
1,500 attending
Lincoln High School at Interlake Avenue N and N Allen Place; north on Interlake to N 45th Street; east on 45th to Bagley Avenue N; north on Bagley into Meridian Park.
Expect congestion in the area.
For more information, please see: http://visitwallingford.org/conference/65th-annual-wallingford-family-parade-festival/
Wallingford Family Festival: 12 Noon – 5 p.m.
Meridian Park
850 attending
For more information, please see: http://visitwallingford.org/conference/65th-annual-wallingford-family-parade-festival/
Sunday, July 6
Seattle Reign vs. Boston Breakers: 4 – 6 p.m.
Memorial Stadium, Seattle Center
3,000 attending
Expect heavier traffic on Fifth Avenue.
Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Center for Wooden Boats and Lake Union Park
2,000 attending
Expect congestion in the area at the south end of the lake.
For more information, please see: http://cwb.org/events/festival/
Special Notes
Seattle’s on-street parking is free on Friday for the Fourth of July Holiday.
If you are heading into Seattle on I-5 in the evening of July 4, be prepared for heavy congestion, along with evening lane and ramp closures on southbound I-5. At approximately 9 p.m., the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will begin closing the following:
- The southbound I-5 off-ramp to Roanoke Street
- The Boylston street on-ramp to southbound I-5
- The southbound I-5 exit-only lane and off-ramp to Mercer Street
The closures will be complete by 10 p.m. The ramps and lane will reopen at the conclusion of the fireworks display. WSDOT closes these ramps to ease congestion and prevent drivers from stopping on I-5 to watch the fireworks. The closures also provide troopers with a secure zone to work from as they monitor traffic and keep it flowing smoothly during the fireworks display.
The Seattle Department of Transportation wishes you and yours a happy and safe holiday!
Contact: Peg Nielsen, 206.684.8114