Wishing you a safe Fourth of July
All of us at Island County look forward to celebrating the Fourth of July like many of the community members we serve – with barbecues, parades, and festive displays of red, white, and blue. At the same time, we encourage people to get to know which fireworks are legal to buy and sell, when and where it is legal to light them off and how to prevent fireworks-related injuries and damage.
Across Washington state, and that includes in all of Island County, it’s illegal to sell or discharge firecrackers, bottle rockets, skyrockets, missiles and M-80s. All homemade fireworks are also illegal to sell and discharge.
Fireworks are expressly prohibited in all of Island County parks. In fact, in addition to county parks, fireworks are illegal in the following locations:
- Federal lands, including land managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and U.S. Forest Service
- Public property, public streets, sidewalks, parking lots and school property
- On private property without the owner’s permission, and from private property onto public property
Hours legally designated for the discharge of legal fireworks on Whidbey and Camano islands are restricted to 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 3 and July 5 and 9 a.m. to midnight July 4. While certain fireworks may be legal, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re safe, especially for children, according to the National Safety Council. Sparklers, for example, burn at about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet. According to the National Fire Protection Association, sparklers alone account for more than 25% of emergency room visits for fireworks injuries. For children under 5 years of age, sparklers accounted for nearly half of the total estimated injuries.
(1) It is legal to sell and purchase consumer fireworks within this state from twelve o'clock noon to eleven o'clock p.m. on the twenty-eighth of June, from nine o'clock a.m. to eleven o'clock p.m. on each day from the twenty-ninth of June through the fourth of July, from nine o'clock a.m. to nine o'clock p.m. on the fifth of July, from twelve o'clock noon to eleven o'clock p.m. on each day from the twenty-seventh of December through the thirty-first of December of each year, and as provided in RCW 70.77.311.
(2) Consumer fireworks may be used or discharged each day between the hours of twelve o'clock noon and eleven o'clock p.m. on the twenty-eighth of June and between the hours of nine o'clock a.m. and eleven o'clock p.m. on the twenty-ninth of June to the third of July, and on July 4th between the hours of nine o'clock a.m. and twelve o'clock midnight, and between the hours of nine o'clock a.m. and eleven o'clock p.m. on July 5th, and from six o'clock p.m. on December 31st until one o'clock a.m. on January 1st of the subsequent year, and as provided in RCW 70.77.311.
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PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD(CHILDREN)
AND PETS FROM DANGER
To add your event to this page, please email info to: info@whidbeylocal.com
3rd of July Freeland’s Freedom Fest & Fireworks
At Freeland Park on July 3rd
Maxwelton July 4th Parade
The Maxwelton July 4th Parade is happening for 2023. For more than 100 years, the parade has marched through this small unincorporated community. From school bands to 4-H clubs to civic groups, everyone who is anyone marches in this parade. The parade begins at noon. Registration and shuttle service begins at 10:30 a.m. There is no cost to enter.
Oak Harbor 4th Events
Join us July 4–6 at Windjammer Park for a festive weekend packed with entertainment, food, and community spirit!
🌟 STREET FESTIVAL | July 4–6 | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Take a stroll through our lively street festival! Enjoy live music, shop local vendors, and browse a wide selection of handmade crafts, antiques, and delicious eats. With something for every age, it’s the perfect way to spend a summer day.
🍻 BEER GARDEN | July 4–6 | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM | 21+ Only
Kick back and cool off at the Beer Garden, featuring a variety of locally crafted beers, seltzers, and more. Relax with a drink in hand and soak up the festive atmosphere with friends old and new.
🎡 CARNIVAL | July 4–6
The carnival is rolling into town! Bring the whole family for thrilling rides, classic games, and timeless carnival treats like cotton candy, corn dogs, and funnel cakes.
🎺 PARADE | July 4 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Celebrate community pride and patriotism at our Independence Day Parade! Enjoy the sights and sounds of festive floats, colorful costumes, and lively performances.
Whidbey Wags Pet Parade: This is a parade for dogs and cats and their owners.
🎆 FIREWORKS | July 4 | 10:00 PM
Wrap up the celebration with a stunning fireworks display over Windjammer Park! Gather with loved ones and watch the night sky light up in a patriotic spectacle you’ll never forget.
