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Seattle 2013 4th of July fireworks canceled*

UN-CANCELED: Here’s where to watch from atop Capitol Hill.
8612793516_3d6a63643a_b*Just like before. It’s been a week of deja vu-styled financial issues for the Seattle area with Metro’s dire warnings of possible service cuts released on Monday. Now producer One Reel says the $500,000 4th of July fireworks show over Lake Union is canceled due to the lack of willing corporate sponsors:

One Reel has spent the past nine months trying to raise money for the 4th of July tradition. Despite a major fundraising campaign in March, the group only received $55,000 in donations.  Stone said everyone who made a contribution will get a refund.

For several years, the Family 4th was sponsored by large corporations. That ended after the 2009 show when Chase Bank pulled out. In 2010, the show was almost canceled because of a lack of funding. A last-minute grassroots effort saved the event.

But Stone says the only thing that could save the 2013 show is if a client or corporate sponsor comes forward to pay the entire bill. Stone said he doubts that will happen.

Lining the streets along the western edge of Capitol Hill to watch the fireworks show over the lake is a neighborhood tradition for the ares with a view of the action. You can see our pictures from 4th of July 2012 on Capitol Hill here.

We’ll check in with the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce but last we heard, Cal Anderson’s annual Independence Day picnic — usually fireworks-free and, typically, not actually on July 4th — is happening again this year. Also, if you’re thinking about putting on your own pyrotechnics show in the streets of Capitol Hill, please think again. UPDATE: The Chamber confirms that the annual Cal Anderson picnic is a “go” for 2013 and will again be organized by the Cal Anderson Park Alliance.

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calhoun
calhoun
11 years ago

Gee, it seems like we get an announcement like this almost every year, but then someone steps in to make the show happen. I’m guessing that will happen again this year.

TonyP.
TonyP.
11 years ago

I believe this year the window of time to secure permitting has passed so even if someone or some company stepped up to fund it, it’s too late.

I also heard no Blue Angels this year either. Outside of the rapid construction, it should be a quiet summer on the hill, I guess.

calhoun
calhoun
11 years ago
Reply to  TonyP.

I wish! But I read that Seafair is contracting with some private air-show to replace the Blue Angels.

Bob
Bob
11 years ago
Reply to  calhoun

Yup, and it will be just as loud, noisy, and annoying as the Blue Angels.

Eckstein
Eckstein
11 years ago

Good riddance. I like fireworks and all, but this year after year of asking for money to pay for it is ridiculous. One Reel might be the worst run company in this city.

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