Kirkland fireworks: The show will go on

It took some last-minute fundraising to save the Fourth of July in Kirkland, but the community pulled together the money to ensure the skies will light up as planned.

Thanks in part to donations from Evergreen Hospital Medical Center and local business FileNet, more than $10,000 was raised to pay for a barge from which to shoot off the fireworks near the city's waterfront. The additional money was needed after a less-expensive barge fell through.

Eastsiders will have fewer places to watch Fourth of July shows this year, as Woodinville and Redmond are not having displays. But Bellevue and Carnation will be putting on fireworks shows.

"I'm sick to my stomach, I'm so relieved," said Penny Sweet, president of Celebrate Kirkland, which puts on the Fourth of July festivities. "I knew this community will step up."

Last year the Kirkland community raised enough money to have two fireworks displays off its waterfront to celebrate its centennial in combination with Independence Day, but this year the donations came in slower, Sweet said.

The show should start about 10 p.m. off Marina Park and should be visible from most of the city's waterfront parks.

Woodinville announced it was canceling its annual fireworks display after 12 years because the field used for the event, JB Instant Lawn's facility, wouldn't be available this year. Due to increased customer demands for JB's sod, the company could no longer wait to harvest the field as it has in years past.

Woodinville's Parks and Recreation Commission has been gathering input on possible alternatives for the show next year, said Marie Stake, spokeswoman for the city of Woodinville. The event drew about 20,000 people last year, Stake said.

"We're calling on the community and saying, 'Do you want to do this?' " Stake said. "If we want to do it again, is it going to be the same thing or something different?"

Redmond, which last year partnered with Woodinville to combine their funds for one big fireworks display, also passed on having a Fourth of July show this year. Instead, the city opted to focus its efforts on its annual Derby Days event July 8, which includes fireworks.

Meanwhile, more than 60,000 people are expected to attend Bellevue's fireworks display in the Bellevue Downtown Park, making it the largest show on the Eastside. Known as "Symetra Bellevue Family 4th," it will feature 2,500 fireworks that are set to a live performance by the Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra. The orchestra will play many crowd favorites, such as the themes to "Star Wars" and "Mission: Impossible" as well as "Stars and Stripes Forever," during the 25-minute fireworks show that will start about 10 p.m., said Patrick Brannon, with the Bellevue Downtown Association.

The association and the city produce the show together. The evening kicks off at 4:30 p.m. and includes a puppet show, magicians, country music and a pre-fireworks concert by the orchestra.

"Most people find the event is the largest audience for the philharmonic orchestra, and they look forward to it every year."

Carnation also will have its annual fireworks display Tuesday, starting about 10:20 p.m. at Tolt MacDonald Park. Pre-fireworks music will kick off at 4 p.m. at the park.

"Bring your picnic and bring a Frisbee or a soccer ball and bring your mosquito repellent, and plan to make a day of it," said Kim Lisk, chairwoman of the Carnation Fourth of July Celebration.

Across the lake, Seattle will have two shows. The WaMu Family 4th! over Lake Union includes a pre-fireworks celebration kicking off at Gas Works Park at noon, and the show beginning about 10 p.m.

Another fireworks show over Elliott Bay, with seating available at Myrtle Edwards Park, also will start at 10 p.m.

Rachel Tuinstra: 206-515-5637 or rtuinstra@seattletimes.com