Posted by Wollochet Dreams at 7/3/08 8:10 p.m.

Nothing beats the charming quaintness of Edmonds' parade, waterball fight in City Park and the fireworks show. Check it out - it's like escaping to a small town without the long drive!

Posted by Sibil at 7/3/08 9:37 p.m.

Best place?? Sitting on the Tarmac @ Boeing Renton plant watching 3 different displays from 3 differnet areas.....

Posted by joshkelley at 7/4/08 2:08 a.m.

Perhaps I should say the KING-5's WaMu Family 4th at Lake Union. You can even see it in HD on KING-5, or simulcast on NorthWest Cable News! But that could have to do with the fact that I work at Belo Seattle.

However, my wife and I enjoy the smaller-town feel of Des Moines' show at the marina. She grew up in Pullman, so a small-town feel is important to her.

Posted by unregistered user at 7/4/08 8:22 a.m.

Of course there's always the 4th of Jul-Ivar's on Elliott Bay that has been a tradition for 44 years -- and going strong. Can't beat that you can see it from Bainbridge, West Seattle, parts of Burien, locations throughout Seattle and MORE. So it really is a regional fireworks display like non other. Sound like I may be bias for some reason -- hmmm. Enjoy a safe 4th everyone!

JW

Posted by unregistered user at 7/4/08 8:58 a.m.

I have the good fortune to be able to watch both the Family Fourth (Lake Union) and the Fourth of Jul-Ivars (Elliott Bay) from the roof of my work in Belltown.

If you want the best display, the Family Fourth is hands down the winner. If you go to Gasworks park, the best viewing spot, prepare to deal with huge crowds of drunk suburban teenage kids, plan to park more than a mile away, and plan to spend an hour or more in traffic after the show.

If that doesn't appeal to you, the Fourth of Jul-Ivars is still a very good display, getting to it is much easier, and the crowd is considerably less unruly.

Posted by unregistered user at 7/5/08 8:33 a.m.

Quartermaster Harbor, Vashon Island. Boats arrive and anchor during the day and waterfront homes hold overflow cookout parties. In late afternoon, a big barge pushed by a tug arrives and moors at the north end of the harbor, close to the portage between Vashon and Maury Islands. The fireworks may not be as huge as Lake Union's, or as quirky as those coming off the top of the Space Needle, but they are spectacular and are the main reason that the line of cars waiting to board the Vashon ferry in West Seattle every Fourth of July stretches well past Lincoln Park.

Posted by Wake Me Up When It's Over at 7/5/08 9:22 a.m.

Marcos, welcome to Seattle!

Over the years we have found the best spot to watch the fireworks is all around any neighborhood. Yes, they are supposedly illegal in these zones, but due to no enforcement of the exisiting law, are in abundance everywhere. This year seemed particularly sane, which is not always the case. I'm sure Harborview burn unit still got it's share of yahoos as usual.

The nice thing about this is you don't have to fight traffic, just pick up a ton of debris off your roof or yard and keep the hose out for flare-ups.

Posted by J.P. Patches Pal at 7/5/08 6:33 p.m.

By far, the best spot to view fireworks is 23rd and Union in the CD. You can see gunplay and muzzle flashes without having to worry about the cops being around.

Enjoy!

Posted by MaryMc at 7/5/08 7:23 p.m.

They do a great show every year at Emerald Downs, after the races on the night of July 3. We had a great time there Thursday night (in spite of not picking many winners!)

Posted by ducttape2 at 7/6/08 12:14 p.m.

Ummm, my house!!!

Shows from downtown, Renton and my yard, all in one place.

Sorry, no public invites, but I have to brag that is the best place.

Plus, red meat and firearms are allowed!!

Posted by High Desert Coug at 7/6/08 4:30 p.m.

Our cul-de-sac. Kids with sparklers, fountains, a neighborhood potluck, everyone sharing in community...

Beats those "professional" displays by a mile.

Don't fear the Nanny State. The 4th is about freedom anyway.