In order to help keep you focused on celebrating in red, white and blue fashion, we've gone ahead and compiled a list of large July 4th events in the South Sound this year. Enjoy the music, the food and spectacular fireworks shows at these family-friendly celebrations.

July 3rd

Celebrate the Fourth of July with the Tacoma Rainiers! Their July 3rd Extravaganza fireworks show is their biggest and best of the season. Catch a game of AAA baseball at 6:05 p.m. vs. Salt Lake, stay till the end, and then hang around Cheney Stadium to catch their amazing show right after the game. 

For over 50 years and counting Lacey Parks and Recreation has celebrated the Fourth of July a day early on July 3rd with a huge party. Hosted at Rainier Vista Park in Lacey, the celebration kicks off at 4 p.m. with food, music and fun. Families can head to the Kid Zone for free rides, face painting and more. Food vendors include Aloha Acai and Coffee Co, Fat Zach's Pizza, Egg Roll Hut and many more. Attendees can enjoy live music from The Coats beginning at 5 p.m., followed by Grove Nation taking the stage at 8 p.m. The fireworks show will begin at 10 p.m. The parking lot at Rainier Vista will open at 3 p.m. but space is limited. Free shuttle buses will be available from Timberline High School, Komachin High School and Lakes Elementary. For more information go to www.laceyparks.org.

July 4th

Food Trucks and Fireworks will be the main Independence Day event happening on Joint Base Lewis-McChord at Cowan and Memorial Stadiums July 4th. The food trucks will open up at 5 p.m. along with yard games and live music. The big fireworks show will start at 10:15 p.m. and guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs. 

Also happening at Cowan Stadium on the fourth will be the Freedom Run. The run will kick off with the 1k starting at 6 p.m. and the 5k starting at 6:15pm. The 5K costs $30, E-1 to E-4 costs $25 and the 1k costs $12, E-1 to E-4, $10. 

The City of Dupont will have a jam packed Independence Day, kicking off at 8 a.m. with the Historical Society's pancake breakfast at Clocktower Park. This will be followed by the Independence Day Parade at 10 a.m. Dupont businesses and residents that want to walk or ride bikes in the parade are encouraged to deck out their bikes, wagons and selves to march along in the festivities. Participation is free. Following the parade, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Clocktower Park celebration continues with music, food, games, vendors and more! The celebration will conclude with fireworks at Patriots Landing kicking off at dusk. Bring a chair or blanket outside of Patriots Landing and find a seat to take in the amazing show! 

The City of Steilacoom will also be hosting a full day of Independence Day fun! At 9 a.m. the fun run and the street fair will open things up at Town Hall on Lafayette street. Live entertainment on the Post Office steps will begin at 10 a.m. and run through the entirety of the day. Enjoy an ice cream social beginning at noon, followed by the parade at 1 p.m. From 7 to 10 p.m. there will be a family street dance. The night will conclude with the spectacular fireworks show beginning at approximately 10:30 p.m. Don't miss out on a full family day in Steilacoom!

The City of Tumwater will be hosting their 35th annual Tumwater Independence Day celebrations. Their parade will kick off at 11 a.m. on the corner of Capitol Boulevard and Lee Street and will move south on Capitol Boulevard to Israel Road. Later in the evening at 6 p.m. there will be a free family event with games, music and more at the Tumwater Valley Golf Course. The evening will end with a fireworks show at 10:15 p.m. Gates will open at 6 p.m. with event parking opening at 5:30p.m. 

Tacoma's Summer Blast 4th of July celebration will be back this year on the Ruston Way waterfront. The day begins at noon at Cummings Park with music, food, and arts and craft vendors. There will also be a family zone and beer garden at this location. Dune Peninsula will also have food, a beer garden, and arts and craft vendors. A fireworks show on Commencement Bay caps off the celebration at approximately 10 p.m. and will be visible all along the Ruston Way waterfront.

For those willing to brave the traffic and travel outside of the local area, the Amazon Seafair Celebration will be hosted at both Gas Works Park and South Lake Union Park in Seattle. One fireworks display, voted one of the best in the nation by USA Today, will be visible from both parks. Gates open at 3 p.m. and the big, spectacular show will begin around 10:15 p.m. Prior to the show, both parks will feature different activities and food and drink options. Gas Works Parks will have several beer gardens for those 21+, food pavilions, a kids' zone with inflatables, field games and much more. South Lake Union will also feature food and drinks. Reserved seating and parking is available, guaranteeing guests a seat with a view of the show. For those not participating in reserved seating, it is recommended to arrive at the event early to secure seating and parking.

If you're unable to make it up to the event, it will be broadcasted on KONG from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.