Tacoma's Freedom Fair headlines region's Fourth festivities

It’s the most advanced flying machine in the air. It sometimes makes its pilots dizzy. Sen. John McCain hates it.

This afternoon, the F-22 Raptor will fly along the Ruston Way waterfront as part of Tacoma Freedom Fair’s air show. The plane’s appearance is a rare event, said Doug Miller, president of the Tacoma Events Commission, which puts on the fair.

“It’s a real feather in our cap,” Miller said.

The highly maneuverable Air Force stealth fighter has its fans and detractors. It was called “the most expensive, corroding hangar queen ever” by McCain. Sticker price: $150 million.

The main entertainment stage is the America Be Strong stage at Camp Patriot, the farthest west location of the Freedom Fair on Ruston Way, right next to the Lobster Shop. The headlining show starts at 3:30 p.m. with Chuck Stevens (Beach Boys, Monkees, Eddie Money) and Tony La Stella & the Goombas.

Though Miller, his staff and volunteers are dedicated to putting on an entertaining event, money is forefront on his mind. Public Independence Day events have been canceled all over the country in recent years (most recently in Orting) and Freedom Fair is feeling the pressure, Miller said. Besides buying tickets to associated events like tonight’s Rainiers game and Sunday’s car and airplane show, the best way to support Freedom Fair is to make a donation, Miller said.

“It’s what’s going to make or break the event, frankly,” he said. Volunteers will be manning donation stations at the three entrances and Miller said they are hoping for $5 a head.

“We could be delivered a knockout punch if the public doesn’t vote with their dollars. The show must go on.”

Here’s a rundown of Independence Day events:

FREEDOM FAIR

When: Starting at 10 a.m.

Where: Ruston Way waterfront, Tacoma

Admission: $5-per-person donation requested

Information and volunteering: freedomfair.com

Freedom Fair continues to offer up entertainment at multiple venues, food, exhibits, an air show and, of course, a spectacular fireworks show at dusk.

Air show

In addition to the F-22, other aircraft include the U.S. Navy’s F-18F Hornet, World War II war birds, aerobatic planes and the unofficial flying mascot of Pierce County: the C-17 Globemaster. Though the C-17s make trips over Tacoma on a daily basis, this flyby promises to be low and slow.

The air show is scheduled from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Early risers can see a practice run involving most of the jets starting at 11 a.m.

Fireworks

The show will be as big as previous years, Miller promises. It will start at 10:10 p.m., and the display will be synchronized to music broadcast from entertainment stages and on Warm 106.9 FM and KLAY AM 1180. The fireworks barge will be centered on the waterfront, closest to Katie Downs restaurant.

Other highlights

 • Professional wrestling demos at Camp Patriot

 • Northwest Regional Pole Vault Championship

 • Car show at Duke’s Chowder House

 • Finals for the South Sound Blues Association’s Back to Beale Street Competition

 • Air Show Cruise will use the Point Ruston Ferry to get up close to flying aircraft. Tickets are $45 adults, $35 youths.

TIPS

To avoid parking congestion, ride the Freedom Fair express buses. Pierce Transit no longer provides bus service to the fair and they’ll be running their regular routes on a holiday schedule. Catch the buses from Tacoma Community College or the Tacoma Dome station. Passes: $5 adults, $3 children, $15 family

Travel light: Leave dogs and grills at home. Bring money for the food vendors.

Do bring a seat if you want to park it, but come early and stroll the waterfront.

Pack out your litter: Plenty of receptacles and trash bins will be provided. If you don’t, volunteers – not the city – will have to clean it up.

REGIONAL EVENTS

Tacoma’s Freedom Fair isn’t the only choice for celebrating our nation’s birth – there are celebrations in communities all around the region.

One of the biggest will be the Freedom Fest at Joint Base Lewis-McChord on Wednesday. Festivities run from noon-11 p.m. at Cowan and Memorial Stadiums. Admission is free, but visitors must use Interstate 5 Exit 119 in DuPont, where they will find free parking and shuttle service. Visitors should have driver’s license, proof of insurance and vehicle registration available. Visitors over the age of 16 should have photo ID. All-day attractions include a midway with carnival rides, “fair food,” and other concessions, “Kids World” activities, “Classy Chassis” car show, jugglers, stilt-walkers and other roving performers, a puppet performance, and live music. At 6 p.m., an unnamed “mystery” headline performer will entertain the crowd with classic ‘80s rock hits in Memorial Stadium, followed by The Rhythm Nation at 8 p.m. In Cowan Stadium Freedom Fest will honor the United States flag along with those of active, Reserve and National Guard units with the traditional Massing of the Colors beginning at 8:30 p.m. The fireworks display is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m.

Here’s a rundown of other area celebrations:

PIERCE COUNTY

• Four on the Fourth 4-mile Sponsored by Fort Steilacoom Running Club event and its companion, one-mile run for kids, will follow a scenic, fairly flat out-and-back course on pavement north along the water, 9 a.m., Town Hall of Steilacoom, 1717 Lafayette St., Steilacoom. 253-537-8712, runfsrc.com.

• Steilacoom Independence Day Street fair, parade, family activities and fireworks, 10 a.m. July 4, Town Hall of Steilacoom, 1717 Lafayette St., Steilacoom. Free. 253-582-5838, historicfortsteilacoom.org.

• Meeker Mansion Fourth of July Family Social and Band Concert 2-5 p.m., Meeker Mansion, 312 Spring St., Puyallup. Free games and concert, with minimum charge for food. 253-848-1770, meekermansion.org.

THURSTON AND MASON COUNTIES

• Tumwater 4th of July 11 a.m. Parade, Capitol Boulevard. Then 6-11 p.m., Artesian Festival & Thunder Valley Fireworks Show with local food vendors, children’s inflatable toys, music, Children’s Stage featuring family friendly performers, the ever-popular Teen Zone, a “Drop Zone” Skydiver contest and more, Tumwater Valley Golf Course, 4611 Tumwater Valley Drive S.E., Tumwater. Admission free, parking $5.

• Amateur BBQ Cook Off 4th of July Wild Card Throw Down 11 a.m.-5 p.m. July 4, Tumwater Farmers Market, Capitol Blvd. S.E. and Israel Road S.E., Tumwater. Free. 360-754-2868, afabworld.org.

• July 4th Barbecue and Fireworks Celebration to Honor Our Veterans 4 p.m. July 4, Shelton Elks Lodge, S.E. 741 Craig Road, Shelton. Veterans Free. Adults $7, children $5. 360-426-2322, sheltonelks2467.com.

KING COUNTY

• Family 4th At Lake Union 8 p.m. July 4, Gas Works Park, 2101 N. Northlake Way, Seattle. Free.

• Auburn’s Fourth of July Live entertainment on two stages, noon parade, roving entertainment, petting zoo, laser tag, gaming stations, rock wall and bungy trampolines, inflatables, bocce, miniature golf, petting zoo and pony rides, performances, arts and crafts grove, children’s area, food vendor booths and more, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Les Gove Park, 1005 12th St. S.E., Auburn. Free entertainment and admission, unlimited rides/activities for $5. 253-931-3043.

• Kent’s Fourth of July Splash Family activities including old fashioned games, hands on art projects, demonstrations, a variety of food vendors and continuous stage entertainment and fireworks, noon-11 p.m., Lake Meridian Park, 14800 S.E. 272nd St., Kent. Free. 253-856-5050, kentarts.com.

• Bellevue Family 4th All-star lineup of entertainment including live music by The Buckaroo Blues Band, free kids’ activities – all leading up to the Eastside’s largest fireworks display, set to a live performance by the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra on the Republic Services Main Stage. 2-10:30 p.m., Bellevue Downtown Park.

• Renton Family Fourth Free children’s activities and face-painting, stage entertainment and a professional fireworks display from a barge in Lake Washington. noon-11 p.m. July 4, Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N., Renton. Free.