Tacoma's 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza!
Fireworks Co-Sponsored by
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A Fireworks Extravaganza!
Here is a sneak preview of the spectacular grand finale to the Tacoma Freedom Fair, an event presented by the Tacoma Events Commission – a community-based, volunteer-driven, independent, non-profit organization – founded 30 years ago. The fireworks barge will be placed in location ½ mile west of the old spot in line with the Old Town Dock. From now on the barge will be centered within the middle of the event site on the Ruston Way waterfront. Many more attendees will now be able to find great viewing locations along Ruston Way from the parks and properties close to where event activities take place throughout the day.
The fireworks show will begin at 10:10 PM and last approximately 21 minutes. It will include shells ranging from 3 inches on up to 10 inches in diameter - the size of basketballs! The height the fireworks shell reach after firing will vary depending on size. The largest will reach a height of almost a quarter of a mile before bursting.
The display will be synchronized to a soundtrack broadcast from sound systems on several stages, on Warm 106.9 FM, and KLAY AM 1180, so bring a radio. The fireworks will be digitally discharged to match the musical score. Powered by two laptop computers, the show has been set to a musical score designed to create a spectacular theme that dances in the 
sky. The soundtrack includes arrangements by John Williams, patriotic songs, and familiar rock classics. As always, there is something for everyone! The show will kick off with an eye-catching opener. Be sure to watch for the many different kinds of shells as they burst and cascade toward the water. The fireworks are specifically sequenced for their colors and effects to the sound track and are designed to exacting accuracy. Manufactured from around the world, each shell has unique characteristics, depending where and who created the shell.
The main body of the show includes hundreds of color-changing shells such as the twilight glitter to purple to white with brilliant sapphire blue, gold kamuro changing to red and blue with color-changing pistil, and gold glitter to purple with white strobes and double pistil. Colorful crackling candles and shells will rain and arc over Commencement Bay in mystical shapes. Look for the Saturn, sun, and planet shells, which highlight display as the show finale rocks Tacoma.
The extravaganza will conclude with a spectacular grand finalé that will be filled with every color in the rainbow and shake the entire city and beyond. The final stage will build in intensity, filled with waterfalls of red, white and blue shells as the sky swells and explodes with color, noise, and effects.
The fireworks show is produced by Western Display Fireworks, a fourth generation company located outside Portland that has been presenting fireworks shows for almost six decades in the Northwest and around the world. On July 4th the company will supply more than 250 fireworks displays throughout the country.
The annual 4th of July Freedom Fair is made possible by the support of the City of Tacoma, generous sponsors, and individual donations made by the public at event entry gates, or mailed to: The Tacoma Events Commission, 708 Broadway, Suite 106, Tacoma, WA 98402-3778.
Please donate generously and help keep this grand event going strong.