Light up the Fourth of July weekend

Summer might actually have arrived before the Fourth of July this year, but not by much. For this year's Independence Day, we get a three-day weekend, so to give you plenty of time to plan, here's what's happening regionwide, a week ahead of time:

Seattle

Family Fourth at Lake Union

Family activities and entertainment, beer garden, fireworks over the lake at dusk. Picnic food and coolers (subject to search) allowed into park; no personal barbecues or alcoholic beverages may be brought in. Beer and wine may be purchased and consumed in beer garden, noon-9:30 p.m. Food vendors open noon-10 p.m. Playfield with games, face painting, kite flying and other family activities, noon-8 p.m. July 4, Gas Works Park, 2101 N. Northlake Way, Seattle (206-684-4075 or familyfourth.org).

Museum of Flight's 27 Flags Show

A salute to the American flag with all 27 versions that have officially represented the United States, 11 a.m.-noon July 4, Skyway Post 9430 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars salute to the American flag, from the first 13-star flag authorized by Congress in 1777 to today's 50-star flag, accompanied with the story of its symbolism in educational program for all ages, 2-3 p.m. July 4, Museum of Flight, 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle; $7.50-$13 (206-764-5720 or www.museumofflight.org).

Naturalization Ceremony

Ethnic Heritage Council hosts annual ceremony as more than 500 petitioners from more than 75 countries are sworn in as United States citizens; Navy Band Northwest, 11 a.m., formal program with speakers including Gov. Christine Gregoire, U.S. Representatives Jim McDermott and Dave Reichert, Master of Ceremonies Mayor Greg Nickels, performances by Native American storyteller Gene Tagaban and the Total Experience Gospel Choir, noon-4 p.m. July 4, Center House, Seattle Center (206-684-7200 or www.ethnicheritagecouncil.org).

Elliott Bay fireworks

Fireworks show to synchronized music over Elliott Bay, 10 p.m. July 4, Myrtle Edwards Park, 3130 Alaskan Way W., Seattle (206-684-4075 or www.ivars.net).

Fourth of July bash

Picnic buffet, dancing, karaoke, games, indoor and outdoor view of the Lake Union fireworks, 6:30 p.m. July 4, Swedish Cultural Center, 1920 Dexter Ave. N., Seattle; $33/adults, $12/ages 9 and younger, reservations required (206-523-9570).

Eastside

Bellevue Family 4th

Bellevue Bellevue Parks Family Fun Zone children's activities, 2 p.m.-evening; entertainment, 4-8:30 p.m.; C-17 Flyover from McChord Air Force Base, 4:40 p.m.; Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra performance, 9:20 p.m., and accompanying the fireworks display, 10:05 p.m. July 4, Bellevue Downtown Park, 10201 N.E. Fourth St., Bellevue; free parking available at Bellevue Square after 6 p.m. (425-453-1223 or www.bellevuedowntown.com).

Kirkland 4th of July Festivities

Kirkland Theme "Space, the final frontier" celebrating 50 years of NASA; kids' space-themed art activities, 10 a.m., Marina Park Pavilion; children's parade, staging at Marina Park, parade on Central Avenue from Market Street to Third Street, on Third Street to Kirkland Avenue to Marina Park; grand parade, noon; community picnic with music, food vendors, games, 1:30-6 p.m., Juanita Beach Park; fireworks display, 10 p.m. July 4, Marina Park, 25 Lake Shore Plaza, Kirkland (425-587-3300 or www.ci.kirkland.wa.us).

Fourth on the Plateau

Sammamish Music, food vendors, children's playground, 6 p.m., fireworks display, 10:15 p.m. July 4, Sammamish Commons Park, 801 228th Ave. S.E., Sammamish (425-295-0500 or

www.ci.sammamish.wa.us/4thjuly.aspx).

Bluesfest

Woodinville Crafts, games, food vendors, music by three bands, 3:30-8:30 p.m. July 4, Wilmot Gateway Park, 17301 131st Ave. N.E., Woodinville (425-984-2346orwww.ci.woodinville.wa.us).

Carnation Celebration

Carnation Pancake breakfast, 8-11 a.m., Tolt Congregational Church; 5K Run for the Pies, register 7:30 a.m., run 8:30 a.m., Tolt Avenue and Commercial Street; kiddie parade, 10:30 a.m.; grand parade down Main Street, 11 a.m.; Hot Rods and Harleys car and motorcycle show, noon-4 p.m., $20/preregister, $25/8 a.m. day of event to participate, free for spectators; vendor village, all day; entertainment, post-parade-3 p.m. in downtown Carnation, 4-10 p.m. at Tolt-MacDonald Park, fireworks display at dusk July 4, Carnation (www.carnation4th.org/).

South

Burien Family Days and Parade

Burien Community parade with marching bands, floats, clowns and antique cars, 3 p.m. July 4, downtown Burien (discoverburien.com).

Fireworks Over Des Moines

Des Moines Music, family activities, food, arts and crafts vendors, 6 p.m., fireworks display, 10 p.m. dusk July 4, Des Moines Marina, 22307 Dock St., Des Moines (206-870-6527 or www.desmoineswa.gov).

Family 4th at the Fort

Tukwila Kids' activities including inflatable bouncers, slides, climbing wall and preschoolers' activity area, entertainment, food vendors, 2-11 p.m., fireworks display to celebrate Tukwila's Centennial and Independence Day, 10 p.m. July 4, Fort Dent Park, 6800 Fort Dent Way, Tukwila (206-768-2822 or www.ci.tukwila.wa.us/recreation/recevent.html).

4th of July in Renton

Renton Children's activities, noon-8 p.m., entertainment, 1-9:30 p.m., fireworks display over Lake Washington, 10 p.m. July 4, Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd., Renton; on-site parking limited, free shuttle bus 9 a.m.-midnight from event parking in Boeing lots at North Sixth Street and Park Avenue North and North Sixth Street and Garden Avenue North, Renton; additional parking available for a fee at The Bristol Apartments at Southport along Lake Washington, located between Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park and Boeing (425-430-6600 or rentonwa.gov).

4th of July Festival

Auburn Kids' bike parade, entertainment on two stages, inflatable rides, climbing wall, petting zoo, car show, games, craft and book sale, food vendors, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. July 4, Les Gove Park, 11th Street and Auburn Way South, Auburn; admission free, unlimited rides/activities $5 (253-931-3043 or www.auburnwa.gov).

Fourth of July Splash

Kent Classic-car show, old-fashioned games, entertainment, athletic and art activities, noon-9 p.m., fireworks display accompanied by Rainier Symphony, 10 p.m. July 4, Lake Meridian Park, 14800 S.E. 272nd St., Kent; free shuttle bus approximately every 20 minutes from parking at Kent Fire Station 75, 15635 S.E. 272nd St., Kentwood High School, 25800 164th Ave. S.E. and the 132nd Street Park and Ride, Kent (253-856-5050 or www.ci.kent.wa.us/arts).

Red, White and Blues Festival

Federal Way Old-fashioned games, soccer, flag football, volleyball, preschoolers' play area, entertainment on two stages, food vendors, dance, fireworks display, 6-10:30 p.m. July 4, Celebration Park, 1095 S. 324th St., Federal Way; parking $5-$7 (253-835-6900 or www.cityoffederalway.com).

Stars and Stripes 4th of July Celebration

Enumclaw Opening ceremonies with speakers, patriotic music, noon; entertainment, 1-6 p.m.; carnival activities, food vendors, 1:30-5:30 p.m.; parade on Cole Street, 6 p.m.; fireworks display at dusk, July 4, Enumclaw Expo Center, 45224 284th Ave. S.E., Enumclaw (206-296-8892 or www.ci.enumclaw.wa.us).

Tacoma Freedom Fair and Air Show

Tacoma Outdoor market, international food fair, Lost Boys Pirate Cove children's activities, Camp Patriot to honor community heroes, car show, entertainment, fireworks display, 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. July 4, Waterfront Park, Tacoma (www.freedomfair.com/).

North

Family 4th of July

Mountlake Terrace Music, children's activities, food vendors, fireworks show at dusk, 7-10:30 p.m. July 4, Evergreen Playfields, 22400 56th Ave. W., Mountlake Terrace (425-776-1161 or mltrec.com).

Lynnwood Star-Spangled Celebration

Lynnwood Kids' activities, music, food vendors, fireworks show, 7-10:30 p.m. July 4, Lynnwood Athletic Complex, 3003 184th St. S.W., Lynnwood (425-670-5732 or www.ci.lynnwood.wa.us).

An Edmonds Kind of Fourth

Edmonds 5K fun run, 10 a.m., children's parade, 11:30 a.m., main parade, noon, city park activities, 2 p.m., entertainment 7:30 p.m., fireworks show, 10 p.m. July 4, Edmonds Civic Stadium and Playfield, Sixth Avenue North and Bell Street, Edmonds (www.edmondswa.com).

Bothell Freedom Festival

Bothell Pancake breakfast, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Downtown Firehouse, Bothell; children's parade, 11:15 a.m., grand parade, noon, on Main Street, then north on Bothell-Everett Highway to Northeast 188th St., Bothell; children's rides, 1-3 p.m.; Bothell Historical Museum tours, 1-4 p.m.; patriotic favorites concert, 1:30 p.m.; re-enactment of the battle of Concord, 2 p.m. July 4, Bothell Landing, Woodinville Drive and 100th Avenue Northeast, Bothell (425-486-7430 or www.ci.bothell.wa.us).