Where to watch professional fireworks for free in Tri-Cities. What’s new this July 4
The Tri-Cities will celebrate July 4 with two fireworks shows, a traditional parade, a kids’ street dance and hours of fun, food and music planned in Columbia Park.
Tri-Cities leaders are hoping that many residents will take advantage of professional firework shows rather than setting off their own at home given the hot, dry weather forecast.
Kennewick River of Fire
The fireworks over the Columbia River in Kennewick start at 10 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, but activities are planned in Columbia Park starting at 2 p.m.
Parking will be free, thanks to McCurley Mazda, and opens at noon. There is no admission cost.
Some improvements are planned this year, including a more efficient entrance and exit strategy for cars at the park. Ben Franklin Transit also will offer a shuttle service starting in the afternoon.
The first event of the day at the Kennewick park will be a corn hole tournament with 3City Slingers.
Check in starts at 9 a.m. and bags fly at 10 a.m. Cost is $20 per team for novice and intermediate teams and $50 for advanced teams, with cash prizes awarded.
At 2 p.m. the kid zone with free bounce houses, obstacle courses, face painting and games opens.
Food trucks also will start serving at 2 p.m.
The beer garden will serve from 4 to 9:30 p.m.
Live music is planned. Rancho Unido will be on stage at 5 p.m. and Shanks Pony at 7 p.m.
Fireworks will be set off from a barge in the Columbia River for a spectacular over-the-water display.
Some of the activities are being rearranged to provide a better experience. City staff said they are going for a “festival feel.”
Food trucks and vendors will be more spread out this year, including some food trucks toward the west end of the event, so people won’t have to walk far when they get hungry.
The concert stage for River of Fire will be more central this year, which also frees up the band shell for kid activities.
Foodies at the Park will be open 9 am. to 3 p.m. and then plans a family friendly River of Fire bash from 5 to 10 p.m. with $35 tickets being sold. It includes, food, entertainment and private parking and lawn access.
Gesa Credit Union is the primary sponsor for the event and VenuWorks is collaborating with the city of Kennewick to put on the event.
Kennewick event parking, bus
To prepare for River of Fire, part of Paul Parish Drive, formerly Columbia Park Trail, between the Veteran’s Memorial roundabout and the east boat launch will close from 6 a.m. to midnight July 4.
There also will be no east end access from Edison Street from noon to midnight July 4.
To reach the Columbia Park Golf Tri-Plex and Foodies at the Landing, after noon July 4 use the Highway 240 entrance to the park..
A parking lot for people with disabilities can be reached at the park’s Highway 240 entrance.
Ben Franklin Transit will provide shuttle service to the park from Park and Ride locations. Riders are encouraged to have a transit pass or a River of Fire wristband. Round-trip wristbands cost $3 for adults and are sold at Yoke’s Fresh Markets and the Three Rivers Transit Center.
Youth and seniors can get a free ride with their transit senior or youth passes.
Adults with a monthly pass can get a free wristband at three Park and Ride locations — Kamiakin High School, 600 N. Arthur St., Kennewick; Lampson Stadium, 505 S. Garfield St. Kennewick; and the Wye Park and Ride at 1000 Columbia Park Trail, Richland.
Hourly bus service to the park starts a 2:30 p.m. from the Wye Park and Ride and 3 p.m. from Kamiakin High and Lampson Stadium.
Starting at 6 p.m. buses will leave every 30 minutes from the Wye Park and Ride and Kamiakin and every 20 minutes from the stadium.
Buses will leave the park to each shuttle location at 15 and 45 minutes after each hour beginning at 3 p.m. After the fireworks, buses will leave the park from 10:35 to 10:55 p.m. Fireworks are expected to last for about 18 minutes.
Dial-a-Ride also will provide service.
For more information, call 509-735-5100.
Pasco’s Grand Old 4th
Pasco’s annual Grand Old 4th of July Parade begins at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4.
The parade is one of Pasco’s longest standing traditions. And this year’s route will be the longest yet.
It will run clockwise, departing south on 3rd Avenue from the intersection with Sylvester Street. The parade will turn westbound onto Clark Street and then turn northbound onto 14th Avenue, passing by the announcers stand and street dance at Memorial Park. The parade then turns east on Sylvester before, ending at 4th Avenue.
The Grand Old 4th of July Fireworks show begins at 10 p.m. at Gesa Stadium at 6200 Burden Blvd. The show is free.
Gates at the neighboring Pasco Sporting Complex open at 6:30 p.m. and the gates to the stadium open at 8 p.m.
Other events:
Kiwanis Club of Pasco Pancake Feed Fundraiser: 7-11 a.m. Tuesday at the Kiwanis Pavilion at Memorial Park, 1520 W. Shoshone St. A plate full of pancakes and sausage is just $7.
Camp Patriot’s 13th Annual Fourth of July 5K/ 1-Mile Fun Run: Races begin 7:30 a.m. at Gesa Stadium. Online registration is required. The event costs $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. This event benefits disabled veterans.
Kids Street Dance: 9:15-10:15 a.m. in front of the Memorial Park Aquatic Center. This event is free and open to kids of all ages and abilities.
Camp Patriot Show and Shine Car Show: Noon-4 p.m. at Memorial Park. Day-of registration opens at 9 a.m. and closes when the event starts. The entry fee is $20 per vehicle. Cars, trucks, SUVs and bikes open to participate and will feature 18 award categories.
Cardboard Regatta Water Race: 1-2:30 p.m. at the Memorial Park Aquatic Center. Build your own boat with cardboard, duct tape and non-traditional items. There will be two race types: A youth race for speedsters age 5-12 and an open race for everyone 5 years and older. Online registration is required.
