July 4 Fireworks Show Returns To Bellevue For 2021

BELLEVUE, WA — Bellevue will put on a fireworks show for Independence Day this year, and visitors are invited down to Downtown Park to celebrate, officials announced Thursday. Many other cities canceled their July 4 plans amid uncertainty earlier in the year, including Seafair Summer Fourth on Seattle's Lake Union and the annual festivities in Kirkland. In Bellevue, organizers held on.

"We can do this because of the great progress people have made to get vaccinated," said Patrick Bannon, president of the Bellevue Downtown Association. "This Independence Day has added meaning, and we're grateful to make it happen through partnership with the city and our members."

This year's display will mark the first major event in Bellevue since the pandemic emerged, but the city's broader "Family 4th" events will stay on hold. Revelers can expect fireworks to light up the skies over downtown starting at 10:05 p.m. on July 4. However, the usual pre and post-show fanfare, including live music and entertainment, will not be on the docket.

"We are thrilled to celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks this year, and I want to thank our partners — the BDA, The Bellevue Collection, Amazon, Microsoft, PACCAR and Puget Sound Energy — for making it happen," said Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson. "As a city, it is important that we find opportunities to safely celebrate the diversity and resiliency of our community. This year's Independence Day event is a great example and I am really looking forward to it."

Downtown Park will be open as the central viewing area for the show, with parking available at the Bellevue Collection after 7 p.m. Visitors may also walk, bike, carpool or bus to the park, and the Bellevue Transit Center serves transit routes from most neighboring cities. For those who prefer to watch at home, the city will also host a live stream of the show.

Several downtown streets will be closed to vehicles before, during and after the show.

Here's what drivers can expect:

• Westbound Northeast First Street will be closed between 100th and 102nd avenues Northeast from 6 p.m. to midnight.
• Eastbound Northeast Fourth Street will be closed at 100th Avenue Northeast 6-11 p.m.
• Before the fireworks, starting about 9 p.m., streets closed to vehicle traffic will include:
  • Northeast Fourth Street from 100th Avenue Northeast to Bellevue Way Northeast
  • Northeast First Street, from 100th Avenue Northeast to 103rd Avenue Northeast
  • 100th Avenue Northeast, from Northeast First Street to Northeast Fifth Street
• After the fireworks, restrictions will include: right turns prohibited from northbound 100th Avenue Northeast to Northeast Eighth Street, and from eastbound Northeast 10th Street to all side streets between 100th Avenue Northeast and Interstate 405. Drivers on Northeast 10th Street heading to Interstate 405 should continue east, turn right on 116th Avenue Northeast, then right on Northeast Eighth Street and follow the signs for I-405 ramps.
• After the event, left turns will be prohibited from southbound Bellevue Way to eastbound Northeast Fourth Street; drivers headed to I-90 or I-405 may continue south on Bellevue Way.

Visitors planning a trip to check out the fireworks downtown can find the latest details and updates via the Bellevue Downtown Association.