Revived Fourth of July show takes shape: Lineup unveiled

The fireworks show that almost didn't happen will cap an 11-hour free celebration at Gas Works Park on the Fourth of July.

The rock group The Presidents of the United States of America and jazz vocalist Greta Matassa will perform in events at the park leading up to the 10 p.m. fireworks, according to details announced Monday by One Reel, which has produced a fireworks show at Lake Union for more than 20 years.

The "Family 4th at Lake Union" will include a bungee trampoline platform, an inflatable play center and interactive games. New events this year include rocking-chair races, a dunk tank, cake walks and sumo wrestling in inflatable costumes.

The fireworks show is continuing because some 300 businesses and individuals contributed to the $500,000 raised to host the event in the absence of a major title sponsor, said One Reel spokeswoman Mikhael Mei Williams.

As recently as late March, it looked as if Seattle might go without a major fireworks show for the first time in nine decades, not counting a hiatus during World War II. Washington Mutual, which had sponsored the Lake Union show since 2002, had collapsed, and its successor JPMorgan Chase agreed to fund the event, but just for one year, 2009.

Meanwhile, Ivar's Seafood Restaurants had pulled the plug on Seattle's other major fireworks show, which Ivar's had sponsored for 44 years.

On March 31 this year, One Reel board President Tomoko Matsuno posted a letter to the community on the nonprofit's website, announcing "with a heavy heart" that the Lake Union show was canceled for lack of a sponsor.

That's when local chef Tom Douglas and KIRO-FM radio host Dave Ross jumped into the fray, igniting a community-based funding drive that, in 24 hours, tapped small and large contributors to keep Seattle skies glowing on the Fourth.

"April 2, 2010, will forever be known as the day the people of Seattle saved the Family 4th at Lake Union fireworks celebration," says One Reel's website. The largest contributors, Starbucks and Microsoft, each gave $125,000.

In recognition of the community support for this event, Pyro Spectaculars, which has engineered the Lake Union display for 13 years, says it will add "a significant amount" of fireworks to the show's finale.

The display, running about 21 minutes, will reach heights of 1,000 feet, making it visible not only around Lake Union but as far away as West Seattle and beyond. The fireworks display will be shown on KING-TV, along with a musical soundtrack on KIRO-FM (97.3).

Jack Broom: 206-464-2222 or jbroom@seattletimes.com