Fireworks are Illegal in Everett – And Have Been For The Past 15 Years

“I didn’t know they were illegal”. That’s one of the excuses heard most often by police officers and firefighters as they take away supposedly safe and sane fireworks from people within the Everett city limits. Here’s the annual press release from Everett city officials:

The City of Everett is urging residents to celebrate the Fourth of July by watching a public fireworks display instead of launching fireworks at home.

Owning and setting off fireworks at home is illegal in the City of Everett, and it’s also dangerous. Everett Police will be on the lookout this year for fireworks violations. On Oct. 16, 1997, the City of Everett banned the sale, private use and possession of fireworks in Everett. Since that time, fire loss and injuries from fireworks have diminished. Since 1997, Everett Police and Fire personnel have educated the community about the dangers of fireworks and about the City’s municipal code.

The City takes a proactive approach to enforcement. Violators may be cited for a misdemeanor and could potentially face jail time and a fine. Fireworks will be confiscated and destroyed. Every year, the City is inundated with complaints about illegal use of fireworks.

The use of fireworks can result in major injuries such as severe burns, scars and disfigurement. Even simple fireworks like sparklers, mistakenly thought to be safe, can cause severe burns because they, and most other brightly burning displays, burn at temperatures of more than 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Along with stationary fireworks, unguided and randomly directed bottle rockets and larger rocket-propelled missiles have both propellant and burst charges that can ignite combustible materials on contact. Quality control in their manufacture can be inconsistent, as can their trajectory. Any user may end up with a misdirected ignition source on a combustible roof or other burnable surface.

That’s why Everett officials are urging the community to choose to view a public show this 4th of July.

There are plenty of 4th of July activities in the City of Everett. Special thanks to the day’s partners: City of Everett, Everett Transit, Everett Family YMCA, Everett Community College, Economic Alliance Snohomish County, Port of Everett, Puget Sound Energy, The Daily Herald, 1520 KXA radio, Xfinity, Mountain Pacific Bank, Quil Ceda Village, Northwest Animal Care, Coast Real Estate Services, McClain Insurance, Lombardi’s, the Everett Clinic and Moss Adams LLP.

Everett’s Colors of Freedom Fourth of July Celebration:

GET THERE QUICK: Don’t fuss, take the bus to all the events! Park at Everett Station, 3201 Smith Ave., in downtown Everett and hop on a free Everett Transit bus.

Schedule of events:

8:30 a.m.
Yankee Doodle Dash
Everett Family YMCA
2720 Rockefeller Ave.
For more information contact the YMCA at 425-258-9211 or visit www.ymca-snoco.org

11 a.m.
July 4th Parade
Colby and Wetmore avenues between Wall and 26th streets. Bring a chair and grab a front row seat for the best show in town. Enjoy marching bands, dance and drill teams, giant puppets, stilt walkers, clowns and more.

10 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Fire on Ice Comcast Community Ice Rink, 2000 Hewitt Ave.
Ice skating for the entire family. $4 open skate (includes skate rental). www.comcastarenaeverett.com

1 – 3 p.m.
Fun in the Sun Street Fair
First Baptist Church of Everett parking lots, Wetmore between Pacific and 32nd. Free entertainment featuring inflatable play structures, pony rides, live music and antique car show. www.fbc-everett.org

Noon to 4 p.m.
Imagine Children’s Museum
Imagine Children’s Museum, 1502 Wall St.
Celebrate a Star Spangled 4th of July with Imagine Children’s Museum. Military families receive free Museum admission and all other visitors enjoy buy-one-get-one-free admission. Children 12 months and under free. General admission $7.75.
www.ImagineCM.org

Everett Police Department Open House
noon – 4 p.m.
3002 Wetmore Ave.
Receive a “Passport to the Police” and search the police department building maze. Meet detectives, crime scene investigators, robots and k-9 officers. Meet Colby the Crime Prevention Dog. Complete the passport and receive a prize.
www.everettpolice.org

Colors of Freedom Festival
Legion Memorial Park
145 Alverson
Enjoy a family picnic on the grassy bluff overlooking Port Gardner Bay. Free kids’ activities, a food fair, live music. Catch the free Everett Transit shuttle at the Everett Community College Broadway lot of at Everett Station.
www.enjoyeverett.org

10:20 p.m.
“Thunder on the Bay” Fireworks Extravaganza
Viewing Areas:
Legion Park, 145 Alverson Blvd
Grand Avenue Park, 1800 Grand Ave.

Tune to Classic Country 1520 AM for a radio simulcast of music to the fireworks. There is no parking available at Legion Memorial Park on July 4th so please take Everett Transit.