Almost all of the cities in King County and many of the more urban cities in Snohomish county have banned fireworks. The city of Mountlake Terrace banned fireworks in 2007 and, probably to deter the use of them, organized a community fireworks show. In 2008 the city put on the community fireworks show again. I attended last year and there seemed to be a pretty good crowd. This year the city decided not to put the show on “due to current economic conditions” so most Mountlake Terrace residents will probably go to other events in the Puget Sound area or just stay home. Mountlake Terrace resident Doug Petrowski had this opinion letter on the subject published in the Herald recently:
For the first time in its 50-plus year history, there will be no lawful public or private firework displays in Mountlake Terrace this Fourth of July. How sad!
Mountlake Terrace joined the ranks of municipalities banning the public sale, possession and igniting of fireworks in 2007. But as a substitute for the public, the city sponsored a community festival and fireworks display that year. The event included inflatable toys, food vendors, arts and craft displays, bands and performers. In 2008 the event returned with increased attendance and the only public fireworks display in the city that year. (The Tour de Terrace event later that month did not include fireworks.) This year, there will be no community Fourth of July festival due to the City Council ending its financial support of the event, which means no fireworks on the Fourth!
For 2010 I hope the City Council will reinstate funding and bring back the community Fourth of July event. The city’s residents would again support the festival, the alternative to unlawful, unsafe fireworks within the city would be restored, and with some creative thinking (perhaps combining it with the city’s National Night Out?) the event could continue to grow into a much-loved tradition.
Doug Petrowski
Mountlake Terrace
See our earlier post for a good idea of what to do tomorrow.
[image courtesy Chris K]
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