The 7: Your guide to watching fireworks Tuesday night - in Spokane and beyond.
Fireworks are the main attraction on the Fourth of July. But with construction, both in Riverfront Park and on streets nearby, you may be looking for a new spot to watch the downtown show. Here are 7 options.
Riverfront Park: The downtown park may be torn up by construction, but that won’t stop the annual celebration. Festivities start at noon, with booths and vendors at the Clocktower and Lilac meadows. And there will be music. At the Clocktower Meadow Stage: noon-2 p.m., Dog House Boys; 2:30-4:30 p.m., Garrett Bartley Band; 5-7 p.m., Superjoy Love Bus. On the Lilac Bowl Stage: 7-7:30 p.m., Fourth of July ceremony; 7:45-9:45 p.m., Spokane Jazz Orchestra. Then the fireworks are at 10 p.m. If you don’t want to brave the park, the steps between the INB and the river are open (and usually crowded). People also line the downtown bridges.
River Park Square: If you’re willing to fork over a little cash, head to the downtown mall’s parking garage. It’s only $4 after 5 p.m. Patrons can park, then head up to the roof (Gold Level) with lawn chairs to enjoy the show.
Kendall Yards: Head slightly west of Riverfront Park to Kendall Yards, where you can enjoy music from Crow and Canyon about 7:30 p.m. at Olmsted Brothers Green Park (Nettleton Street and Summit Parkway), then go down to the Centennial Trail to watch the fireworks.
North and South Hills: The city’s topography offers natural viewing platforms – Cliff Drive to the South and the North Hill Bluff. Both are popular spots and can get crowded, so plan accordingly.
St. John’s Cathedral: Thanks to the trees, you won’t get a full view of the downtown fireworks from this South Hill church, but the main attraction here is the cathedral carillon. California carillonneur Wesley Arai is returning for his seventh concert at the cathedral, and will play a variety of American and patriotic tunes. The concert starts at 9 p.m., bring chairs or blankets and set up on the north side of the cathedral complex if you want to see the fireworks. The cathedral is at 127 E. 12th Ave.
Mount St. Michael: Go for the Singing Nuns and a dessert social, stay for the fireworks. The gates open at 7 p.m., with an indoor concert at 8:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair and a flashlight if you plan to watch the fireworks from the bluff. Mount St. Michael is at 8500 N. St. Michaels Road. Admission is $5 per person, free for children 7 and younger. Call (509) 467-0986, ext. 121, or visit www.singingnuns.com/events for more information.
Anywhere but downtown: The downtown fireworks aren’t the only show. Coeur d’Alene kicks off its celebration with a parade on Sherman Avenue at 10 a.m., followed by music and food in Coeur d’Alene City Park, then fireworks over the lake. Liberty Lake does fireworks at 10 p.m. at Pavillion Park, 727 N. Molter Road, with a concert beforehand at 6 p.m. featuring raggae from River City Roots and original and cover tunes from Bobbie Christmas. Fireworks will follow the Spokane Indians game against the Vancouver Canadians at Avista Stadium. Silverwood Theme Park will have fireworks at dusk, as will the Coeur d’Alene Casino. For a list of July 4 events in the Inland Northwest, see the calendar on Page 11.