From their web site:
For the past 15 months, One Reel has worked tirelessly to secure a title sponsor for the 2010 Family 4th at Lake Union but, regrettably, we were not able to secure one in time to proceed with this year’s event. For that reason, it is with a heavy heart we announce there will be no fireworks or festivities at Gas Works Park this year.
Another casualty of the banking debacle! Washington Mutual, the former sponsor, was purchased last year by Chase after loading itself up on bad loans. Chase agreed to sponsor the event for one year, but has declined to continue.
We know lots of people are going to miss it, and we do feel your sorrow. That said, the hectic crowds have been keeping us away for years. Instead, we’ve enjoyed the noise through the trees while sipping a cold one in our back yard with friends.
Of course, this does mean that Wallingford will no longer be the In Place To Be for Fourth of July barbeques this year.
What will you do instead?
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So, uh, wasn’t the Ivar’s fireworks show canceled last year? And does this mean Seattle will have no 4th of July fireworks this year?
Party at DOUG’s!
There’s no question it’s crowded, and things don’t quiet down until after midnight.
But I have to say, it’s nice to be able to step out of the house 10 minutes before the fireworks start, walk down the middle of Wallingford Ave until about North 38th, and then stand in the street and watch the show, with generous South Wallingford neighbors playing the music from the speakers of their houses.
And then a 10-minute walk home afterward. I bet a lot of families (particularly with kids), who have a 2-hour drive home (1.5 hours of it just to get to I-5), would envy us!
mixed feelings on this.
i always dreaded the 4th but day of wasn’t that bad and by early evening i was enjoying watching the crowds file down the hill.
Noooeees! This is horrible! I have been going here for the fourth my whole life, and now it isn’t going to happen??!!?!
Kingston, a mere 25 minute ferry ride from Edmonds, has an all-day 4th of July celebration: mid-day, etc. and a good show in the evening at the downtown waterfront park. You can even bring your own stuff to shoot off — there is a space on the beach for this — and there are lots of Indians nearby who are happy to sell you fireworks. Small town event, and fun and friendly.
As the new kid in town, Chase is making a PR and community relations mistake by not continuing to sponsor the fireworks. It doesn’t make me want to be their customer and it certainly doesn’t endear the to the community. Not that they care anyway…
I have seen many fireworks displays and the Lake Union fireworks are my favorite. I will miss them dearly. Especially since I was unable to be there last year. Who knew that it would be the LAST year? SAD.
I’ve already reserved a suite in Birch Bay and will watch their informal fireworks from the balcony of my room.
I would encourage anyone in Seattle who still has an account at chase to close and move them elsewhere making sure to let them know why. We didn’t need Chase in Washington before but now really have zero reason to support a non-local predatory mega bank.
We love the lake Union fireworks and look forward to the spectacle surrounding the whole event every year, but I think this is great news! We had already scheduled a trip to my sister’s house in Oregon on the 4th just to avoid participating this year.
Aside from our dislike of the big banks in general, Chase-sponsored displays felt way too much like ‘our tax dollars at work’. Better they should spend the money cleaning up the mess they’ve helped to make of our economy. With any luck, One Reel will find a sponsor for future events who’s worthy of our respect and gratitude.
Hey, looks like there’s a pledge drive & a plan to try to raise the moola. Check it out here: http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=75&sid=304928
Small-town celebrations like Kingston’s (or those in the San Juans) are a ton of fun. Last year, though, the ferry lines for the San Juans stretched almost all the way into Anacortes; so it may not be a viable option if everyone who used to crowd Wallingford tries to head out to smaller sites. Still, give me a parade and some kind of cook-out during the day and fireworks at night, and I’m happy.
yes! we may be saved. many big pledges = $330,000 so far!
Microsoft and Starbucks have ponied up $250,000. Amazon should seal the deal.
Oh, this broke my heart! 36 years here, and have always been able to see some fireworks out of one window or another.
What about Vulcan? Don’t they owe the Lake Union community something? How about some community pressure on Chase? And maybe Ivar’s could contribute just a little bit? They’re part of the Lake Union community!
I want to think that it was an April Fool’s Joke…was it……..???