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Celebrate the Fourth
7/1/2009 9:32:00 PM
By Hope Brumbach
Splash Editor
During last year's Fourth of July fireworks show that showered Liberty Lake, Denise Coyle could hear the sounds of appreciation from the spectators echoing the booms and crackles of the pyrotechnic display.
"Really when you think about the massiveness of the lake and all the people sitting around - and you can actually hear the oohs and aahs," said Coyle, who spearheads the annual show, which is paid for by donations. "To me, it's a really special moment. Not only are we celebrating our country, but we're celebrating our community and our community paid for it."
Coyle is counting on hearing more oohs and aahs this Saturday, as the celebration of Independence Day ignites this weekend with the 20th annual fireworks show, the 21st annual community parade, a free concert and movie in the park and the sale of Fourth of July T-shirts.
Here is an event-by-event guide to the holiday weekend:
Movie in the park
The movie "Stuart Little," rated PG, will hit the screen at dusk Friday in Pavillion Park. The movie, based on a children's book about a mouse who is adopted into a human family, kicks off the first outdoor showing of the free summer series sponsored by the Friends of Pavillion Park and Greenstone.
The Liberty Lake Kiwanis will offer food and snacks for purchase.
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 AT A GLANCE
Fourth of July weekend events
Friday
5-8 p.m.: Sale of Fourth of July T-shirts at the corner of Liberty and Alpine drives. Cost is $10-$12.
Dusk: "Stuart Little" movie in Pavillion Park
Saturday
Noon: Roads close for parade route
12:15-12:30 p.m.: K-5 kids bike decorating contest, Alpine Shores Park gate
12:15 p.m.: Parade lineup starts
1 p.m.: Parade starts
4:30 p.m.: Ribbon cutting at skate park, Pavillion Park
6 p.m.: Free concert at Pavillion Park
About 10 p.m.: Fireworks display
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Parade kicks off Saturday holiday events
Beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, the 21st annual parade will wind through the Alpine Shores neighborhood with hundreds of spectators lining the streets to watch bikes, wagons and golf carts decked out in red, white and blue.
"This is our 21st parade, and now we're jumping into another generation. Some of the kids who marched in the beginning are now bringing their babies. It's fun," said parade co-organizer Kelli Schneidmiller.
Traffic will be limited starting at 11:30 a.m. and the parade route (see map on page 8) will close by noon, organizers said. Parking is available at Liberty Lake Community Church, 704 S. Garry Drive, and along streets outside the neighborhood.
Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to decorate their bikes for The Splash's "Wave Bike Contest." Bring decorated bikes to the Alpine Shores Park gate between 12:15 and 12:30 p.m. to register and be photographed.
The parade lineup begins at 12:15 p.m. at the corner of Shoreline and Liberty drives for participating children, families and community groups. Parade organizers invite participants to use patriotic creativity to decorate bikes, wagons, golf carts or wheelbarrows. Animals, motorcycles and vehicles are not allowed.
"I think it's an opportunity to celebrate where we live, both the U.S. and the freedoms we enjoy as well as the little hometown Liberty Lake thing," Schneidmiller said.
Following the parade, cake, water and games for kids will be provided. There is not a barbecue, organizers said.
For more information about the parade route or lineup, call Ann Tichy at 255-9124.
Concert set for Saturday night
On Saturday evening, Pavillion Park will fill with the sounds of party rock, funk and country, courtesy of the band The Clintons. The opening act, starting at 6 p.m., is the Spokane bluegrass band, Big Red Barn.
The night of music will kick off the free summer concert series sponsored by FOPP and Greenstone.
Attendees are encouraged to bring low-backed chairs or blankets.
The concert will wrap up around 9:45 p.m., followed by the fireworks show. Thousands of people are expected to attend.
The Liberty Lake Kiwanis will host a concession stand at Pavillion Park.
Fireworks explode
The sparkle of fireworks will begin at about 10 p.m. as the Liberty Lake fireworks show lights up the lake. Spectators can catch the display from Pavillion Park and Liberty Lake County Park.
"We are going to have some surprises in the display," Coyle said. Last year, a new company, called Rocketman of Newman Lake, put on the show, and they're coming back for an encore this year, Coyle said.
The fireworks show costs more than $10,000 each year, and it's funded by donations. Donation receptacles are set up at some local businesses, such at Albertsons, and funds also will be accepted at Friday's parade and the evening activities at Pavillion Park. Donations also can be sent to the Liberty Lake Fireworks Fund at P.O. Box 430, Liberty Lake, WA 99019.
"This community always comes through," Coyle said.
Traffic control
The Liberty Lake Police Department is contracting this year again with North Star Enterprises, a traffic control company, to free up officers to respond to emergencies.
During Saturday evening's festivities, North Star will set up barricades and provide flaggers at key intersections near Pavillion Park for concert traffic.
The lot at Pavillion Park will be reserved for only disabled and senior citizen parking on Saturday evening. Starting at 4:45 p.m., a shuttle will ferry people from Liberty Lake Elementary on Molter Road to the park, and authorities encourage attendees to use the service.
From 8 p.m. until after the concert, Molter Road between Country Vista Drive and Boone Avenue will be closed, as well as Country Vista between Wright Boulevard and Molter, police said. The closures will allow for foot traffic to clear quickly, authorities said.
The Spokane Valley Fire Department is warning residents to mind parking restrictions along the lake to allow emergency vehicles to pass. Parking on the streets is prohibited for: all roads south of Melkapsi, on the west side of Liberty Lake; Inlet; Second and Third avenues and Della Street near the public launch; Lee, Gage, Hillview, Lakeridge, Overlook and Third Avenue at the northeast portion of the lake; and the Dreamwood Circle neighborhood to the south.
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Submitted graphic
The artwork for this year's Fourth of July T-shirts was painted by recent Central Valley High School graduate Sohee O'Connor.
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T-shirts for sale
Liberty Lake Fourth of July T-shirts will be available for purchase from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the corner of Liberty and Alpine drives in the large island area. The T-shirt costs $10 or $12 for sizes XXL and XXXL. Quantities are limited.
This year's T-shirt was designed by Liberty Lake residents and 2009 Central Valley High School graduates Sohee O'Connor and Alex Kern. The T-shirt depicts a watercolor painting by O'Connor of Liberty Lake.
The T-shirt sales help fund the parade. For more information, call 481-5691.
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