By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published June 27, 2012

Activities planned for Fourth of July
EVERETT - Everett’s Fourth of July activities include a fireworks show, a parade and ship tours.  
The Fourth of July is set to sizzle this year with a number of family-friendly events.
Personal fireworks, though, are banned in Everett. This year the Police Department will be emphasizing enforcement and giving out tickets instead of warnings, department spokesman officer Aaron Snell said.
Fireworks show
The city will host its own fireworks display off of Port Gardner Bay starting at 10:20 p.m. The fireworks are best seen from Grand Avenue Park and American Legion Park.
There is no parking at American Legion Park, but Everett Transit will provide free buses from Everett Station and Everett Community College. The last shuttles leave at 9:45 p.m.
Naval Station Everett ship tours
Tour the big ships beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 30 at Naval Station Everett. The base will offer family-friendly concerts as part of its Freedom Fest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The USS Shoup destroyer, USS Ford frigate and the Coast Guard’s Blue Shark cutter will be available to tour. The USS Nimitz aircraft carrier will be unavailable as it is away from port right now, Naval Station Everett spokeswoman Kristin Ching said.
The event has some restrictions. Children under 8 and people who cannot walk up stairs will not be allowed on the ships. There will be a limit on the tours since so many people are expected to turn out.
The base has limited parking. Visitors and vehicles are subject to airport-type screening. Bring government-issued photo identification for entry.
Other Fourth events
On July 4th, there are fun events planned all day long in Everett.
At 11 a.m. the Colors of Freedom parade will take place downtown. It’s happening on Colby and Wetmore avenues between Wall and 26th streets. World class marching bands, dance and drill teams, giant puppets, stilt walkers, clowns and more are part of the parade’s roster.
At American Legion Memorial Park, 145 Alverson Blvd., a festival featuring free kids’ activities, a food fair and live music starts at 11 a.m. There will be no parking available at American Legion Memorial Park on July 4; the city recommends people take Everett Transit, which will be offering free bus service.
The Police Department will hold its annual open house from noon to 4 p.m. at 3002 Wetmore Ave. The department’s mascot Colby the Crime Prevention Dog is sure to make an appearance.
There also will be a children’s fair at First Baptist Church on Pacific and Wetmore avenues from 1 to 3 p.m.; a series of fun runs starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Everett Family YMCA, 2720 Rockefeller Ave.; and the Imagine Children’s Museum at 1502 Wall St. will have special events from noon to 4 p.m.
Fireworks banned
The Police Department will be scanning the skies for fireworks, and this year officers will be handing out tickets.
Fireworks have been banned in Everett since 1997.
The fireworks ban includes sky lanterns, which are also called Chinese lanterns, Everett Fire Department fire marshal Rick Robinson said. The city of Mukilteo also banned floating sky lanterns.
“We encourage people go and view the city events,” Snell said. “Those fireworks are a lot larger than anyone can buy.”
Last year, the Police Department talked with 223 people but only wrote two infractions. Things will be different this year.
“Our primary goal is enforcement, not education, this year,” Snell said.
It’s a public safety issue, Snell said, fireworks are dangerous.
The department confiscated 600 pounds of fireworks as part of its patrols last July 4th.
Last year’s Fourth had no fireworks-related fires, except for a small grass fire on July 2, Robinson said.