Fireboat To Lead Newman Lake Parade
Holiday events
The Fourth of July boasts an array of activities for Valley families, from fireworks displays to boat parades.
Boat parades?
That’s right. The fourth annual Newman Lake Boat Parade, which begins at 1 p.m. Friday, usually attracts about 30 boats decked out in red, white and blue bunting.
This year’s parade will be led by Fire District 13’s new fireboat. The parade starts at the northeast end of the lake, near Meadow Lane and East Newman Lake Dr., and will circle the lake.
“You can see the parade from any place on the lake,” said Bill Kelly, captain of the fireboat.
The fireboat can spray 650 gallons of water per minute, about 200 feet high, said Kelly. “It’s the best thing that ever happened to the fire department.”
The fire department truck parade will begin at 2 p.m. at Fire Station No. 1 on West Newman Lake Drive. The department will drive the decorated trucks around the lake, to “let people know what their taxes are going for,” Kelly said.
Liberty Lake parade
Liberty Lake’s annual community Independence Day Parade begins at 1 p.m. Friday.
Participants should gather at Shoreline and Liberty Lake Drive for the lineup beginning at 12:30 p.m. The route will follow Shoreline and Alpine drives.
Parking is available in the Liberty Lake Church parking lot.
After the parade, the community will host a neighborhood celebration, near the lakeside end of Shoreline Drive. The public is invited to attend.
The parade grand marshall will be Ruth Barnes, a 80-year-old resident of Liberty Lake, and a longtime community contributor, said Whitman.
Liberty Lake fireworks display
The ninth annual fireworks display over Liberty Lake begins at 10 p.m. Friday.
Observers can watch the fireworks from Liberty Lake Park, 3707 S. Zephyr Road, said Wyn Birkenthal, county parks and recreation manager.
The county is even dropping the usual $2 park admission fee after 9 p.m.
Parking for 150 cars is available in the lot at Liberty Lake Park.
No other fireworks are permitted in the park, said Birkenthal.
Observers are discouraged from watching the pyrotechnics from private land, unless they have permission from the property owner. People should avoid watching the fireworks from boats, as well, said Denise Coyle, organizer of the display.
“We do not want people on the lake, because it could flood the dock that holds the fireworks,” she said.
This year’s display will feature a “big finale,” said Whitman.
, DataTimes