The Family 4th kicks off at noon on Sunday, July 4 with family activities, entertainment, and food vendors throughout Gas Works Park. The evening’s awe-inspiring fireworks display begins at approximately 10 PM.
Please read the following information about joining us at Gas Works Park. We want everyone to have the best holiday possible and the following information should help ensure this happens. If you can’t find an answer to your question, please e-mail us at info (at) onereel.org and we will get back to you.
Getting In
Gas Works Park opens at noon and admission is free. There are two entrance gates to Gas Works Park on July 4, one at the north end of the parking lot and the other to the south. For the safety of everyone, please observe the list of prohibited items below. There will be a security check prior to entering the park and all those entering are subject to search. The park has an irrigation system below the grass, so please do not drive anything into the ground. Leave the tent stakes at home!
Prohibited Items
The following items are prohibited at Gas Works Park during the Family 4th:
- Pets
- Personal barbecues (There are barbecues available on site.)
- Alcoholic beverages (You may purchase beer and wine in the beer garden with proper ID.)
- Fireworks
- No staking the parks grounds (i.e. no tent stakes)
- Weapons of any sort—firearms, knives, etc.
Pets
Loud fireworks, lots of people and pets don't make a good combination. For everyone's safety and your pet's comfort, please leave animals at home as they will not be allowed in the park on the 4th of July.
Playfield
Everyone's a kid at the Playfield, which is open from noon until 8 pm and offers free fun activities such as kite making (and flying!), face painting and so much more. This year's playfield will also feature climbing walls, a giant inflatable slide and obstacle course, a bungee trampoline platform and plenty of other fun activities to be announced.
Food & Beverage
You are welcome to bring your own food and beverages into Gas Works Park on the 4th of July. Coolers are allowed into the park (subject to search). However, please remember that personal barbecues and alcoholic beverages brought from outside the park are not permitted during the Family 4th. There are barbecues on the grounds that you may use, and a beer garden will be set up for those of you who are 21+ (don't forget your ID).
If you choose not to bring your own, a variety of food and beverage vendors will be open for business from noon to 10 pm featuring time-honored holiday menu choices of hot dogs, hamburgers, roasted corn, ice cream, and more.
Beer Garden
Beer and wine will be available in the lakeside beer garden from noon to 9:30pm. You must be 21+ and you MUST present valid and acceptable ID to enter the beer garden. Beer Garden rules and regulations:
- Acceptable forms of identification include: a current state issued driver's license or ID card, a current Canadian driver's license or ID card, United States military identification, or valid passport. International drivers licenses are not accepted (excepting Canada).
- Children, even babes in arms, are not permitted inside the beer garden under any circumstances.
- Non-alcoholic beverages may enter the beer garden (see below note for exit rules), and are available for sale in the beer garden.
- NO BEVERAGES MAY BE TAKEN OUT OF THE BEER GARDEN (all liquids, whether brought in or purchased in the beer garden, must be consumed or discarded prior to exiting the garden). Bag checks will be enforced.
Water Refill Stations
The Family 4th encourages all park guests to stay hydrated throughout the day. Free water refills will be available to park guests so be sure to bring a personal reusable water bottle.
ATMs
For your convenience, ATMs will be provided at Gas Works Park on July 4. Check back in the summer for exact locations.
Lost Children
Know Before You Go
The Family 4th at Lake Union is a large event with many attendees and is a wonderful experience for children. As with any outing, please make sure to go over basic safety rules with children before arriving at the event. Remind children to stay within your sight at all times. Also, point out the Information Booth location and event staff members to children so they know who to ask for help if they should become separated from you.
KidSafe Program
The Family 4th at Lake Union offers free wristbands to expedite reuniting lost children with their parents and/or guardians as part of our KidSafe program. When you arrive at Gas Works Park, please go to the Information Booth near the play barn to complete a short registration form with your contact info. You will receive a numbered wristband for your child. In the event he or she is separated from you and brought to event staff, we'll contact you immediately! This free service is also available for adults with disabilities.
What to Do
If your child becomes separated from you, please report it immediately to the Information Booth or event staff person with a radio. The event staff team is very experienced and knows just what to do to help reunite you with your child as soon as possible.
Accessibility
The Family 4th will have a special fireworks viewing area for patrons with disabilities.
The viewing area opens at 6 p.m. and is located on the south side of the play barn.
Event Map
