It’s a day of Red, White and Blues this Fourth of July in Federal Way.
This year’s annual festival kicks off at 6 p.m. Saturday at Celebration Park, 1095 S. 324th St.
“The festival is awesome,” recreation supervisor and organizer John Hutton said. “It should be a really good time with fun, interactive stuff.”
The theme this year is Happy Birthday. The birthday is not only for the country, but also for Celebration Park, and some of the events will be designed to fit with that theme.
Food, games, music
The interactive arts tent by the Federal Way Arts Commission will feature several crafts for all ages, including creation of a birthday hat.
One last-minute idea that the city had is a birthday cake competition; however, details are still under consideration for that one, Hutton said.
Many of the activities will revolve around the idea of an old-fashioned Fourth of July, including having a magician walk through the crowds performing tricks (there is also the potential for a stilt walker, although that is not a done deal, Hutton said), games including Red Light Green Light,” Simon Says and a tug of war. Last year’s tug of war had 80 people on each side at one point.
Keeping with the idea of old fashioned July 4, there will also be two events brought back from last year: A hot dog eating contest and an arm wrestling match.
A table for the arm wrestling has been loaned to the city by a Federal Way resident who just happens to be a former world champion arm wrestler.
Wristbands to compete in all the games will be sold for $5. Most other events, including the music and fireworks as well as many of the booths, are free.
There are also free sports clinics on soccer and football as well as an area for volleyball.
There will be dance demonstrations and activities, including hip-hop and ballroom dance styles as well as a DJ for those wanting to listen to current pop music.
There will be plenty of food as well, although anyone is invited to bring a picnic dinner to the event. Food booth vendors include Billy McHale’s, Murph’s BBQ, the ice cream lady, coffee, kettle corn and Hawaiian shaved ice.
Music will be a big portion of the event and will start at 6 p.m. with Randy Oxford Band, followed by Gruv Box and then Randy Hanson, whom Hutton said he is most excited about.
“He’s the number one Jimi Hendrix guy in the world,” Hutton said. “He’s had 30 years to perfect his work.”
The Federal Way Chorale will end the night’s music selection with some patriotic songs before the big finish.
Fireworks and parking
The main event will of course be the fireworks show.
This year’s show is 22 minutes set to music, and the pyrotechnic teams said it will be the best one Federal Way has ever seen.
The fireworks start promptly at 10:15 p.m.
Last year’s event had around 20,000 and given the current economy, gas prices and sunny weather, organizers are preparing for a large crowd as many stay close to home for the holiday.
The city is hoping for about 25,000 this year.
“This is my 15th, out of 16 years here,” Hutton said. “And I would consider this lineup the very best. The fireworks guys assured me this is their best show. I am excited where this is headed.”
Parking on site is $7. For offsite parking, Hutton reminds people to read the parking signs around town.
The weather forecast at press time called for mostly sunny and 78 degrees on July 4.
