The Eastside’s largest fireworks display will burst over Bellevue on Thursday, July 4 at the city’s Downtown Park. The 20-acre park will be filled with a total of 22 food vendors, a variety of musical acts throughout the day along with a family fun zone that will include kids’ activities, some free, others with a fee. The culmination of the day begins with a performance by the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra beginning at 9:30 p.m. and then accompanying the fireworks at 10:05.
The event is free, as is parking at several locations including City Hall at 450 110th Ave. NE and the Bellevue Collection, which includes Bellevue Square, Bellevue Place and Lincoln Square. A number of Metro buses also serve downtown.
A reminder: Pets, alcohol, personal fireworks, weapons of any kind and smoking are not allowed at the park.
The event will bring several traffic changes to city streets.
Before the fireworks, at approximately 9:45 p.m., some streets near Downtown Park will be closed to vehicle traffic: Northeast Fourth Street, from 100th Avenue to Bellevue Way; and 100th Avenue Northeast, between Northeast First to Northeast Fifth streets. After the fireworks, the following road restrictions will be put in place to help clear traffic leaving downtown:
Right turns will be prohibited from 100th Avenue Northeast to Northeast Eighth Street; drivers may turn right on Northeast 10th Street.
Right turns will be prohibited from eastbound Northeast 10th Street to all side streets between 100th Avenue and Interstate 405. Access to I-405 from 10th will be via 116th Avenue Northeast and south to Northeast Eighth Street.
Left turns will be prohibited from southbound Bellevue Way to eastbound Northeast Fourth Street. Drivers headed to I-90 or I-405 may continue south on Bellevue Way.
Various other lane closures and turn restrictions, as needed, to move traffic quickly out of the downtown core.
When traffic volume decreases, roads will reopen and turn restrictions will be lifted.
While Fido isn’t allowed at the park, a new event this year will let leashed dogs and their people participate in a 4K walk. The Four on the Fourth Dog Jog and Walk will start and end at Ashwood Park, next to the Bellevue Library, which will offer free parking. Registration is from 7:30-9 a.m. with the walk from 9 a.m. to noon. There’s even a dog costume contest at 10:15 a.m.
Those looking for a more intimate venue can head to Lake Boren Park for Newcastle’s Fourth of July event, which includes a fireworks show. Food vendors will be on site beginning at 6 p.m. and the band Big Dog Revue will perform from 8-10 p.m. Fireworks start at dark.
The park is located at 13058 SE 84th Way.
