Patch Picks For The Fourth Of July Weekend

It’s America’s favorite holiday, Independence Day, and there is no shortage of fun around Renton, or nearby, for the holiday weekend. Here are Patch’s picks for the obvious, and not so obvious this weekend.

It goes without saying that if you want to ooh and ahhh with the kids over the fireworks that you should head down to to celebrate the 4th. With many communities struggling over financing fireworks displays, a special shout out should be given to The Landing for sponsoring the event.

The event map and parking directions are available on the web site.

Kids activities, face-painting are available in the park from noon-8 p.m. (Sponsored by Coal Creek YMCA and Matt Griffin YMCA).

There is also stage entertainment, sponsored by & Apartments, from 1-9:30 p.m.

The fireworks display starts at 10 p.m.

Food is available at , Kidd Valley, and beachside concessions.

Another idea for the Fourth is to hop a ferry to Bainbridge Island, and join the fun at the Island’s Grand Old Fourth of July. There is a street fair, a pancake breakfast, a beer garden, pony rides for the kids, and a small town parade. For full details, visit the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce web site.

Head to Cedar River Boathouse and rent a kayak or a canoe. You can rent for the hour or the day and spend some quality time on one of the area's beautiful lakes—you don’t have to limit yourself to Lake Washington. There are many small lakes near Renton, including Lake Desire and Lake Sawyer. , please.

Haven’t been to the Woodland Park Zoo in a while? This might be the time to take advantage of the long weekend and visit. All through the summer the zoo hosts concerts, educational events, and activities. Stop in to see the giraffe feeding between 10:00-11:00 or the elephant feedings between 1:30-2:30 in the afternoon. There is a Dinosaur exhibit on site right now for $3 per person. See the zoo web site for complete admission fees, directions, and hours of specific exhibits that you would like to see.

Make a day of it and be a visitor in your own state, and take a picnic lunch and hike at Paradise on Mt. Rainier. Make a stop at your local deli for sandwiches, fruit, cheese, and some cold beverages and water and you’ll be set for lunch later. If you have started your day early, we like to stop in Black Diamond at the Black Diamond Bakery for a pastry and coffee. You’ll be stoked for the rest of the drive to the park.

Mt. Rainier never ceases to be an amazing place to visit. You can study birds, wildflowers, hike as much as you wish or just sit in awe of the majestic mountain.

Make sure you dress for all kinds of weather patterns. It changes rapidly on Mt. Rainier. One minute it can be very warm and the next very chilly.

Entrance fee is $15 for a single car. If you are interested in hiking fees, and information about camping, see here.