60,000 people expected at Friday event

This Independence Day, more than 60,000 people are expected to gather from throughout the region in Bellevue Downtown Park to celebrate the 2008 Symetra Bellevue Family 4th, presented by Washington Square.

The 60-piece Bellevue Philharmonic returns to perform a stirring set of patriotic themes and accompany the Eastside’s largest fireworks display.

Celebrating its 17th year, the Symetra Bellevue Family 4th will feature a 20-minute fireworks show, live music on the Overlake Hospital Main Stage, and a full line-up of kids’ activities in the Bellevue Parks Family Fun Zone.

The community celebration will again feature a flyover by a C-17 Globemaster III from McChord Air Force Base.

Food and refreshments will be available for purchase on site in the southwest parking lot near the playground.

Complimentary event parking is offered after 6 p.m. at Bellevue Square. The 20-acre Bellevue Downtown Park is located immediately south of Bellevue Square at 10201 N.E. Fourth Street. The city of Bellevue and the non-profit Bellevue Downtown Association co-produce the Symetra Bellevue Family 4th, presented by Washington Square.

The Bellevue Philharmonic, directed by Fusao Kajima, will orchestrate a special live Independence Day performance beginning at 9:20 p.m., including perennial crowd favorites: “William Tell Overture,” “Theme from Superman,” “1812 Overture Finale,” and “Stars & Stripes Forever.” The 20-minute Symetra Fireworks Display, accompanied live by the Philharmonic, will light the sky promptly at 10:05 p.m.

Overlake Hospital

Main Stage

Overlake Hospital Main Stage performances begin at 4 p.m. with the Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder drumline, followed by 94.1 KMPS FM house band Nathan Chance & NorthCoast, and headlining main stage tribute band Rock Candy, playing rock, dance and pop hits from the ‘70s to today.

The National Anthem will be performed by 14 year-old Natasha Lindquist, immediately following the Bellevue Fire and Police Department Honor Guard’s traditional presentation and placement of colors.

Bellevue Parks

Family Fun Zone

The Bellevue Parks Family Fun Zone will open at 2 p.m. and entertain youngsters throughout the evening with a variety of children’s activities, including inflatable games, jugglers, stilt walkers, mascot characters, balloon artists, face painting, Thunderbirds Hockey Puck Shoot Out, and a mountain climbing wall.

Symetra Community Spotlight Pavilion

The Symetra Community Spotlight Pavilion again will connect event attendees to local organizations and volunteer opportunities. Representatives from several non-profit organizations, including PATH,

Youth Venture, Pacific Science Center, YMCA, and the Northwest African American Museum, will showcase their programs and provide more information on ways to get involved. In addition, the Seattle Seahawks, a community partner of Symetra, will provide fun team giveaways and feature an autograph session with the Sea Gals.

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