July 4 in the Northwest: 2009 Celebrations

The Northwest US celebrates Independence Day with festivals large and small. You'll find fireworks, parades, live entertainment, and great food and drink in public parks and event spaces around the region. While grand fireworks displays are common in the wetter parts of the Northwest, they are found less frequently in the dry Inland Northwest, which is prone to summer wildfires. Here are some of the Northwest's major July 4 celebrations:

• Family 4th at Lake Union - Seattle
• Downtown 4th of July Parade - Great Falls
• July 4th Celebration and Downtown Parade - Anchorage
• Riverfront Park 4th of July Celebration & Fireworks Display - Spokane
• Waterfront Blues Festival Fireworks - Portland
• Tacoma Freedom Fair - Tacoma

Unfortunately, some of the Northwest's major fireworks traditions will not occur in 2009.

• 4th of July at the Historic Reserve in Vancouver, WA - canceled due to lack of funds
• 4th of Jul-Ivar's in Seattle - canceled indefinitely, funds will now go to local food programs