Downtown construction brings changes for Bothell’s Fourth of July festivities

Due to construction on Main Street, Bothell’s traditional July 4 parade will take a slightly different route this year.

Both the children’s parade and the grand parade will begin as usual near the intersection of 104th Avenue N.E. and Main Street. The new route will travel north on 104th Avenue N.E. and turn left onto N.E. 183rd Street.

Bothell Freedom Festival festivities will begin with the annual pancake breakfast from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the downtown fire station, 10726 Beardslee Blvd.

The festivities continue with the children’s parade at 11:15 a.m. and the grand parade at noon.

Due to the construction and the new route, the city is advising parade watchers who traditionally put chairs out early to be aware of new restrictions on chair placement. Chairs may not be placed on N.E. 183rd Street and the construction zones of Bothell Way N.E. until July 1. Chairs may not be placed near the intersection of 104th Avenue N.E. and N.E. 183rd Street for safety reasons due to the tight turn for parade vehicles at that corner.

Applications for the parade are due to the Bothell Parks and Recreation Department on June 16. Parade entrants must conform to this year’s theme, “United We Stand.”

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (depending on cleanup time) July 4, the following road closures will be in effect:

Main Street from 102nd Avenue N.E. to 104th Avenue N.E. (Eastbound traffic only from Bothell Way to 102nd Avenue N.E.);

Kaysner Way from State Route 522 to Main Street;

Beardslee Boulevard from 104th Avenue N.E. to N.E. 185th Street;

Valley View Road from Kaysner Way to 110th Avenue N.E.;

102nd Avenue N.E. from N.E. 183rd Street south;

103rd Avenue N.E. from N.E. 183rd Street south;

104th Avenue N.E. from N.E. 183rd Street south;

103rd Avenue N.E. from Main Street to N.E. 185th Street;

104th Avenue N.E. from Main Street to N.E. 185th Street;

Bothell Way N.E. from SR 522 to N.E. 191st Street;

N.E. 188th Street from State Route 527 to 92nd Avenue N.E. (closed eastbound);

Access Road (former SR 522) between 98th Avenue N.E. and Bothell Way (SR 527);

N.E. 183rd Street from 104th Avenue N.E. to Bothell Way; and

N.E. 183rd Street from Bothell Way to 98th Avenue N.E. (local access only).

For more information about or to apply to be in the parade, visit www.both ellwa.gov/FreedomFestival.

Fireworks

The City of Bothell allows the sale of state-approved class C fireworks from July 1-4. People are allowed to discharge approved fireworks from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 4.

The city has offered the following safety tips:

It is always best to leave fireworks to the professionals. Nearby cities including Kenmore, Kirkland, Everett, Lake Forest Park, Monroe, Edmonds and Bellevue have fireworks displays planned for July 4.

Never allow children to light fireworks.

Always keep a bucket of water or garden hose nearby while using fireworks.

Never re-light fireworks that did not fully ignite.

To report the use of illegal devices, call 911. For other non-emergency fireworks complaints, call (425) 486-1254.