Symetra Bellevue Family 4th Lights up the Sky Again

People decked out in their red, white and blues eating the sweetest smelling corn on the cob filled the for the annual Symetra Bellevue Family 4th.

The celebration started at 2 p.m. and lasted until about 10:30 p.m. when the last of the fireworks were set off.

There were many event sponsors, most notably Symetra, and the Bellevue Downtown Association along with Bellevue Parks and Community Services produced the event.

The park looked like a campsite as families set up tents and laid out blankets in order to get the best seats for the fireworks show.

Over a dozen food trucks and booths attracted large crowds of people to the parking lot where they were set up.  The international food court represented many of the different cultures that make up the United States.

The family fun zone entertained kids and adults with a variety of events including a power jump, two bounce houses, a velcro wall, obstacle courses, a maze, face paint and more. Most of the events cost $2 to $8.

Performers hit the main stage around 4 p.m. The Entertain Men kicked off the performances with their juggling routine and the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra closed the show.

As part of the event, at 4:40 p.m., a C-17 Globemaster III from the Joint Base Lewis-McChord flew over downtown Bellevue and got a lot of attention.

The highlight of the night was the fireworks presentation. The Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra accompanied the show. The fireworks were launched from the Bellevue Square parking garage and lit up the night sky.

Kids wrapped in blankets craned their necks as they lifted their faces to the sky, and colors from the fireworks reflected in their eyes. It was the appropriate ending to a fun-filled day.