Federal Way’s 2018 Red, White and Blues Festival starts at 4 p.m. July 4 at Celebration Park, 1095 S. 324th St., and concludes with a fireworks show that begins at 10:15 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The festival includes live music and fun activities for all ages, including inflatables, Zorb ball, We Care interactive sports and games, family-friendly activities, face painting and a sports activity zone brought to you by the Special Olympics USA Games.

The event also features an interactive arts and crafts tent where participants can make and take a variety of festive creations. Fan-favorite food vendors will offer a range of dinner options, festival goodies and frozen treats. The Kiwanis General Store will satisfy the shopping urges of anyone looking for patriotic or glow-in-the-dark novelties and other concessions.

Live entertainment and music begins at 4 p.m. on the Main Stage. World-class entertainer, comedian and juggler Alex Zerbe is back again by popular demand as master of ceremonies. Kids of all ages will be encouraged to march in the Kids Parade at 7:15 p.m.

The evening will finish with one of the best fireworks displays in the South Sound. Festival-goers will have a front-row seat to the 22-minute choreographed fireworks show put on by Entertainment Fireworks Inc. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for watching the fireworks. Note: Barbecue grills, campfires, personal fireworks, tents, canopies and pop-up umbrellas are not allowed. Pets are not allowed at the event and should not be left in vehicles.

Free on-site parking will be available at the Celebration Park main parking lot. The parking lot opens to the public at 3 p.m., but will remain closed throughout the day for event setup. Those wishing to access the playground area or Celebration Park trails are encouraged to park in the south soccer field lots.

This event is brought to you by Federal Way’s Parks Department, including the Community Center and recreation divisions. The event is sponsored and supported by Waste Management, Red Canoe Credit Union, the Federal Way Mirror, Federal Way Arts Commission and 4Culture.

Entertainment schedule

4 to 5:30 p.m., Air National Guard Band of the West Coast: This band supports the global Air Force, including Air National Guard missions, by fostering patriotism and providing musical services for the military community as well as the general public. The band performs for audiences all over the world, although it primarily serves communities throughout California and the West Coast. The band is composed of citizen-airmen whose civilian occupations range from professional musicians and music educators to computer programmers, accountants, engineers and law enforcement officers.

5:30 p.m., Alex Zerbe, master of ceremonies: As a performer with over 15 years of professional experience, Alex Zerbe has appeared on three national television shows, performed in 14 countries, and has sung in over 12,000 showers, according to his website. He is a master of physical comedy, juggling and magic.

6 to 7 p.m., Cherry Cherry (Neil Diamond tribute band): Neil Diamond’s music is timeless and ageless. This tribute includes all the hits, horns and hoopla from Diamond’s repertoire spanning his entire career, courtesy of Steve Kelly.

7 to 7:15 p.m., Mayor Jim Ferrell (mayoral address and introduction of elected officials): The city’s mayor and elected officials will officially greet the crowd as part of this annual patriotic community celebration.

7:15 to 7:25 p.m., Kids Parade: Open to kids of all ages; meet at the arts and crafts tent at 7 p.m.

7:30 to 8:30 p.m., The Afrodisiacs (disco): Pull those bell-bottoms and platform shoes out of the closet because it’s time to get down. This is your official invite from The Afrodisiacs to put on your “Boogie Shoes,” catch the “Love Rollercoaster” over to “Funkytown” and “Shake Your Booty.”

9 to 10 p.m., Spike and The Impalers (classic rock): Local classic rock cover band that focuses its set on the best known tracks by bands such as the Rolling Stones, AC/DC, the Who and Guns N’ Roses. A truly homegrown workingman band at heart with members Spike O’Neill (vocals), Jeff Kathan (drums), Lynn Sorensen (bass), Rick Knotts (lead guitar), Steve Hanna (guitar and keyboards), Scott Adams (saxophone) and Susan Kendall-Morais (vocals).

10:15 p.m., Fireworks: 22-minute choreographed fireworks show by Entertainment Fireworks Inc.

Field activities

All activities are available from 4 to 9 p.m. and include:

Inflatables

Zorb ball

We Care Sports

Face painting

Arts and crafts

Family recreation

Sports Zone

Community service booths

Food vendors

To the delight of attendees, this year’s Red, White and Blues Festival will feature a great variety of dining delights and carnival-style goodies that will tantalize every taste bud.

Back by popular demand is Murph’s BBQ, featuring corn on the cob, pulled pork and chicken sandwiches, polish and regular hot dogs, all beef sandwiches and beverages.

Another crowd and local favorite, Billy McHale’s, will feature deluxe cheeseburgers and chips, BBQ pulled pork sandwich, polish dogs and chips, pretzel and cheese, strawberry shortcake, assorted sodas, hand-shaken lemonades and bacon-wrapped dogs.

Pacific Island Grill will treat you to luau combo, BBQ loli loli chicken, slow smoked kalua pork, loli chicken and gyoza, island sampler, assorted sodas and the crowd favorite Hawaiian shave ice.

La Malinche will serve up duros, takis, mango on a stick, jicama, cucumber, watermelon and cantaloupe peeled and sliced in a cup with lime and chili, corn beef tacos and fruit flavored waters.

You may also pass H & S Novelties, offering a variety of frozen treats. Of course, the Ice Cream Lady is back with waffle cones, chocolate dipped bars, root beer floats, chocolate dipped cheesecake, hot fudge sundaes, strawberry sundaes, hot fudge brownie sundaes, strawberry pound cake sundaes and cotton candy.

Your local Kiwanis Club will be staffing the general store, where you’ll find all your glow-in-the-dark and red, white and blue gadgets, along with tasty treats and refreshments.

The 25th annual Red, White and Blues Festival starts at 4 p.m. July 4 at Celebration Park, 1095 S. 324th St., and concludes with a fireworks show that begins at 10:15 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Courtesy photo

The 25th annual Red, White and Blues Festival starts at 4 p.m. July 4 at Celebration Park, 1095 S. 324th St., and concludes with a fireworks show that begins at 10:15 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Courtesy photo

Federal Way’s 2018 Red, White and Blues Festival includes live music and fun activities for all ages. Courtesy photo

The annual Red, White and Blues Festival features fun activities for all ages, including inflatables, Zorb ball, We Care interactive sports and games, family-friendly activities, face painting and a sports activity zone. Courtesy photo

The annual Red, White and Blues Festival features fun activities for all ages, including inflatables, Zorb ball, We Care interactive sports and games, family-friendly activities, face painting and a sports activity zone. Courtesy photo