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SNOHOMISH COUNTY—Get ready for a vibrant Fourth of July in Snohomish County! While personal fireworks are banned in cities like Everett and Lynnwood, you can catch professional displays at Mountlake Terrace’s Lake Ballinger, Everett’s Thunder on the Bay, and Marysville’s Ebey Waterfront Park. The Lynnwood Times compiled this guide covering legal firework zones, safety tips, and community events for you and your family to enjoy a safe and festive 249^th Independence Day!

The discharge of fireworks is illegal in many areas of Snohomish County year-round. Below is where not to discharge personal fireworks in Snohomish County:

• Arlington
• Bothell (except for sparklers, tanks, and other novelty devices on July 4th between 9 am to 11 pm)
• Brier
• Edmonds
• Everett
• Federal Land
• Goldbar
• Index
• Lynnwood
• Marysville
• Mill Creek
• Mountlake Terrace
• Mukilteo
• Woodway
• Snohomish County Parks
• Unincorporated Snohomish County in the Southwest Urban Growth Area
• Washington State Parks

Snohomish County residents are encouraged to call 425-407-3999 to report the illegal discharge of fireworks—please do not call 911 unless there is an immediate threat to life or property. Fireworks discharge violations are a Class 1 civil infraction punishable by a $500 penalty in accordance with SCC 30.53A.400 and SCC 10.70.110(1)(a), and subject to a court order of restitution.

However, all is not lost! The following areas will allow residents to discharge personal fireworks to celebrate Independence Day:

• City Limits of Darington (June 28^th 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., June 29^th to July 3^rd 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., July 4^th 9 a.m. to midnight, and July 5^th 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
• City limits of Granite Falls (July 4^th 9 a.m. to midnight only)
• City limits of Lake Stevens (July 4^th 9 a.m. to midnight only)
• City limits of Monroe (July 4^th 9 a.m. to midnight only)
• City of Snohomish (July 4^th 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. only)
• City limits of Stanwood (June 28^th 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., June 29^th to July 3^rd 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., July 4^th 9 a.m. to midnight, and July 5^th 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
• City limits of Sultan (June 28^th 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., June 29^th to July 3^rd 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., July 4^th 9 a.m. to midnight, and July 5^th 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
• Unincorporated Snohomish County outside of Southwest Urban Growth Area (July 4th (9 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.)

To view the interactive Snohomish County Interactive Fireworks Discharge Map, click here.

Mountlake Terrace 4^th of July Celebration

Mountlake Terrace’s Fourth of July celebration begins at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, July 3, and will include pie eating contests, field games, a DJ and food trucks. Then, promptly at 10 p.m., a fantastic fireworks display over beautiful Lake Ballinger will surely be the highlight of the evening.

Although personal fireworks are illegal in the city, the City Council authorized a fireworks display with a professional pyrotechnics company. Seeing as the fireworks display will take place over the lake the boat launch and waterfront areas, including the new fishing pier, will be closed during the performance for safety.

Spectators can view the fireworks on the hillside of the park – directly to the south and southeast of the Mickey Corso Community Clubhouse (also known as the Mountlake Terrace Senior/Community Center).

Park and clubhouse restrooms will be closed to the public but there will be portable restrooms on site. Strong attendance is expected so the City urges attendees to plan ahead and be prepared for any weather conditions. The city also advises attendees to bring chairs or blankets for seating.

Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area as there will be expected congestion and there will also be no on-site parking so walking, biking, and rideshares are strongly encouraged.

Limited parking for guests with disabilities is available at the clubhouse parking area. Other options include free parking at the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center or paid parking at the Nile Shrine at 6601 244th Street SW followed by a walk along the Lakeview Trail. If you are taking the bus, Community Transit route 130 drops off across the street from Ballinger Park  https://www.communitytransit.org/route/130/schedule

Everett Thunder on the Bay

On July 4 proper, the City of Everett will be hosting a fireworks display of their own at Legion Park beginning at approximately 10 p.m. Leading up to the main event there will be live music, food trucks, and a beer garden beginning at 3 p.m.

The 18-minute firework display is sponsored by Chick-Fil-A Everett and ignite the nearby Snohomish River and Port Gardner Bay, to a synchronized soundtrack by tuning in to KXA FM 101.1 or AM 1520 for the full experience.

Free parking is available at Everett Community College, with a shuttle providing easy access to the festival.

Leading up to the pre-fireworks festivities the City of Everett will also be hosting its annual Fourth of July parade, beginning at 11 a.m., bringing downtown Everett to life with colorful floats, marching bands, community groups, and plenty of red, white, and blue spirit.

The parade is organized by the Everett 4th of July Foundation—a local non-profit powered by passionate community volunteers—this beloved event highlights the pride, creativity, and heart of Everett.

Marysville 4^th of July Fireworks Display

That same day the City of Marysville will also be holding a fireworks display of their own, also beginning around 10 p.m., at Ebey Waterfront Park.

You can view the performance at the following locations:

• Ebey Waterfront Park- 1404 1st St.
• South end of Marysville Mall Parking lot- 105 Mall Way
• Additional street parking areas can be found along 1st, 2nd, and 3^rd
• Visiting your local south end neighborhood park
• Livestreamed on the city’s Facebook page

Food trucks and festive photo opportunities will be available within Ebey Waterfront Park and along 1st St. from 7-10 p.m. prior to the fireworks show. Face painting will be available for purchase from the talented Gemma of Cascading Colors Face Art.

Firework Safety

The Washington State Fire Marshall’s Office urges the public to celebrate safely this holiday.

In 2024, fireworks were responsible for 156 injuries and 271 fires in Washington State, with the highest concentration of incidents occurring on the fourth of July.

When possible, it is best to view fireworks at a public display. If you do set off fireworks at home, please follow these suggestions to stay safe:

• Only use legal consumer grade fireworks.
• Have a bucket or hose nearby.
• Do not allow children to handle fireworks under any circumstance and keep them far from all flammable celebration materials.
• Do not use fireworks that appear to be damaged or tampered with.
• Do not consume alcohol while using fireworks.
• Do not point fireworks at others and back away quickly after lighting any fuses.
• Keep fireworks and sparklers away from your body. Sparklers can burn at temperatures above 1000 degrees.

For more information, contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at (360) 596-3904.

South County Fire Fireworks Community Impacts Campaign

A new campaign from South County Fire reminds people of the distressing impacts from fireworks on neighbors, veterans, pets and first responders.

“We’ve heard from many residents who tell us fireworks take away their personal sense of security and they are scared to leave their homes on the Fourth of July,” said South County Fire Outreach Manager Shawneri Guzman. “We encourage everyone to avoid using fireworks for your neighbors, for veterans, for pets and for the firefighters, police and 911 dispatchers who respond to a much higher volume of emergency calls during the holiday.”

Ads with that message about fireworks will be shared on local radio stations, online and through social media. South County Fire is also offering free “Fireworks Illegal” yard signs that residents can pick up at any of the fire stations listed, between June 23 and June 28 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., while supplies last:

• Downtown Edmonds Fire Station: 275 Sixth Ave. N.
• Mariner Fire Station: 12310 Meridian Ave. S, Everett.
• Hilltop Fire Station, 20510 Damson Rd., Lynnwood.
• Mill Creek Fire Station: 1020 153rd St. SE, Mill Creek.
• Mountlake Terrace Fire Station: 5902 232nd St. SW.
• Lynnwood Civic Center Station: 18800 44th Ave. W.

For more information on fireworks—including a map of banned areas, frequently asked questions and where to watch professional fireworks shows, visit https://www.southsnofire.org/Fireworks. 

Author: Kienan Briscoe