Marysville celebrates Fourth of July

Marysville is ready to bring a fireworks show to the community this year for the Fourth of July which would be the first time the city has attempted a public Independence Day event.

"We are going to host a community Fourth of July celebration,” said Jim Ballew, director of the Marysville Parks, Culture and Recreation Department.

The show will be at Marysville-Pilchuck High School with gates opening at 7 p.m.

"Depending on the weather and the light we plan to start from 9:45 p.m. to 10 p.m.,” said Ballew, who added the show is expected to last 20 minutes.

"It will be a professional show choreographed to music,” he said.

The Oregon business Western Display Fireworks LTD will be organizing the show.

"They give 130 performances each year on the night of the Fourth so we were lucky to get them,” said Ballew.

The desire for a community fireworks show began after fireworks were banned in Marysville city limits starting in 2017.

"There are a lot of people in the community that have come to the council in light of our fireworks ban from a couple of years ago asking for something like this,” said Ballew.

"The city formed a committee and this was the event they recommended,” he said.

Ballew said the city was also fortunate to be able to work with the school district to use the M-PHS campus.

"This is the largest property we have for the event in the city of Marysville,” said Ballew.

"Spectator seating will be available and we'll have flaggers to help direct people to the right place,” he said.

The seating area will be about three times the size of the stadium.

"Basically the entirety of the east side of the campus will be available,” he said.

While families are waiting for the fireworks to start there will also be some activities available for kids.

"There will be bouncy houses, obstacle courses and games for families,” said Ballew.

The band Babycakes will be performing from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

"They are a very popular local cover band from Bellingham,” said Ballew. The band knows classic songs from Aretha Franklin and Earth, Wind, and Fire, and also modern songs from Bruno Mars and Beyonce, among others.

There will be some concession available from the Marysville Kiwanis Club and the WhistleStop Sweet Shop but likely not full meals.

"We figure that most people will have already eaten,” said Ballew.

The fireworks show is paid for with a grant from the hotel/motel tax.

The event could become an annual part of Marysville if it is attended well enough, said Ballew.

"If this is a success I think the city will be making it a repeat performance and potentially look for more sponsors for the event,” he said.