The city of Maple Valley’s Annual Independence Day picnic is presented this year by Waste Management. The day is designed to appeal to local families and will include a wide variety of fun and entertainment. At 10 p.m. the Maple Valley Youth Symphony will fill the air with music as a fantastic firework show lights up the sky over Lake Wilderness.
Family Activities
Families with children will want to get to the park just after 4:00 p.m. to take part in the free arts & crafts Booth with the Camp Wild staff where kids can choose from a variety of themed projects to take home – while supplies last. The live band will take the stage at 5:00 for your dancing and listening enjoyment and don’t forget to join the fun traditional picnic games including: The 3-legged race, gunny sack race, water balloon toss, parachute games and more. Free face painting will also be available from 4:00 to 8:00 PM.
4th of July Homemade Pie Baking Contest
All bakers (adults, seniors and youth) are invited to enter their favorite fruit pie in the Annual 4th of July Homemade Pie Baking Contest. Entries will be accepted at the Pie Contest Tent at the Beach House from 4:00 – 6:00 PM only. There are no entry fees and winners in each category will receive a prize for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. Prizes were generously donated by Rooters BBQ & Grill, Cedar Grill, Cutters Point Coffee of Covington, Marble Slab Creamery, Safeway, Denali Spirit, and Pink Elephant Car Wash & Castrol. Rules, entry forms, and details are available on the City of Maple Valley’s website at www.maplevalleywa.gov .
Food & Drink
Many families will bring their own picnics, but if you want to buy something to eat at the park you won’t be sorry. Available will be hot off the grill hotdogs & their trimmings, chips, candy, ice cream and soda pop for purchase.
Tips for viewing the fireworks
The best viewing for the fireworks display – which starts at 10:00 pm sharp – will be in the Beach area. Music by Maple Valley Youth Symphony will be accompanying the fireworks, so for best listening and viewing be close to the stage as well. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to reserve your preferred viewing location. 2
Keeping it safe
The day of the show and during the show itself there will be a safety buffer set-up on the park grounds and Lake where the fireworks show will be fired. This area will be patrolled by the MV Police Explorers and King County Sheriff’s office aquatic unit.
Those attending are encouraged to walk to the park if possible and bring flashlights for use following the show.
There will be free parking available in the main parking lot and near the boat launch. Senior, ADA & event staff with parking passes will have limited parking available in the Lodge area.
Road Closure: The intersection at SE 248th & Witte as well as SE 248th and Lake Wilderness Drive will be restricted or closed during the exiting process from the park following the fireworks so two lanes of traffic can be used. Drivers are asked to be patient and to follow all parking rules to avoid being towed.
Also included in the day’s events: Welcome from Mayor Gerken, Veterans recognition, music and dancing on the beach to the live band playing some great classic rock –n- roll.
Volunteers are still needed to work in the Veterans Booth collecting names of local veterans during the Independence Day event.
No alcohol or outside fireworks will be allowed in the park.
