Family 4th of July at Gasworks Park on Lake Union

Photo by Christopher Nelson

Gasworks Park at the head of Lake Union at 2101 N Northlake Way, is the only downtown fireworks show left in Seattle. Last year, it almost folded when One Reel Productions lost its corporate sponsor. Chef Tom Douglas (Dahlia Lounge, Etta's) challenged 97.3 radio host Dave Ross to raise money to put on the fireworks show and they raised the money in record time from local corporations and local citizens.  This year, the local funding and sponsorship continues.

One of those local companies was Bartell Drugs, which is sponsoring the Dusty 45s live performance before and after the fireworks. Founded in Seattle in 1890, Bartell Drugs owns and operates stores in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. Family-owned and operated, it is the nation's oldest drugstore chain.

The Dusty 45s will light up the stage at Seattle's Gas Works Park from 8-9 pm with an encore set following the fireworks show. The group's high-energy, crowd-pleasing brand of Americana music has made them popular with fans of all ages.

Here's the schedule from the Family 4th webpage.

Family 4th at Lake Union this 4th of July at Gas Works Park features free activities, food and drink, and, of course, fireworks.

12:00 noon Gas Works Park opens, along with playfield and beer garden

7:59 PM Playfield closes

8:00 PM Dusty 45s live performance

9:45 PM Beer garden closes

10:10 PM The show begins!

10:35 PM Fireworks end

10:45 PM Dusty 45s encore performance

11:00 PM Gas Works Park closes

They suggest that you read their information page prior to joining them at Gas Works Park.

We want everyone to have the best holiday possible and the information on this website should help ensure this happens. If you can’t find an answer to your question, e-mail us and we will get back to you. Thank you Seattle! This event is truly yours!"

Take non-perishable food to donate to the Northwest Harvest food bank.

The Washington State Department of Transportation reminds you that a lot of people will be going to Gasworks Park.

If you are headed into Seattle on Monday, July 4, be prepared for heavy congestion on I-5 while folks migrate to Gasworks Park for the annual Family 4th Fireworks show. You also can expect evening lane and ramp closures on southbound I-5 at Roanoke and Mercer streets starting at 9 p.m. until the end of the show.

Our News Partner Eric at the Eastlake Ave. Blog has a whole page of tips about how to navigate the traffic in and out of Gasworks Park

And finally, News Partner Patty from the Roosevelt Neighborhood Blog "Roosiehood" has a tip about a tiny, unknown (until now!) park with a great view of Lake Union.