Saturday’s the day, you know. Big explosions overhead and all around, whether or not you’ve bought a ticket to the Fort Vancouver National Trust’s fireworks show.
Those lights in the sky get underway at 10:05 p.m. sharp, but folks will be flocking to the area — and to other west-side open spaces where the rockets’ red glare and bombs bursting in air will be visible — all day long, and especially in the evening. Many thousands show up every year.
So state, city and Trust officials are trying to help folks have a good time while avoiding traffic headaches. Be aware, the Washington State Department of Transportation says, that the northbound I-5 offramp to Mill Plain Boulevard will be closed from 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday. And, all state Highway 14 offramps to Columbia House Boulevard will be closed from 9 p.m. until the end of the fireworks display — at about 10:30 p.m.
It’s all to relieve traffic congestion around the site and provide safe passage for pedestrians, according to WSDOT.
Also, the Washington State Patrol wants to remind drivers that pulling onto highway shoulders to watch the fireworks is prohibited.
Getting in
Independence Day at Fort Vancouver is put on every year by the Fort Vancouver National Trust. It’s a daylong event featuring live music, arts and crafts vendors, historical demonstrations and guided walking tours, a kids’ parade at 4 p.m., food for sale (or bring your own picnic) and much more.
General admission at the gate is $7. Kids 12 and under are admitted free. Entry gates are at Evergreen Boulevard and Fort Vancouver Way; Mill Plain and Fort Vancouver Way; East Reserve Street and Evergreen Boulevard; and East Reserve Street and East Fifth Street.
Gates open at 8 a.m. Entertainment begins at noon. The seating area is the parade ground lawn near Officers Row. Bring lawn chairs and blankets.
If your Independence Day just won’t feel complete without ringing ears and smoke up your nose, consider springing for the Prime Viewing Area, which is down near Pearson Airfield — yards from where professional pyrotechnicians will launch the fireworks into the sky. The Prime Viewing price is $50 for 21 and older, $25 for ages 6 – 20, and free for 5 and under. You’ll enjoy some exclusive entertainment and a buffet, too.
All the information you need — entertainment and activity schedules, ticket prices, frequently asked questions and a detailed map of the area — is at http://4th.fortvan.org.
Parking
It’s potluck for parking in downtown Vancouver or $10 at various nearby spots, including Fifth Street, The Academy building and the Fort Vancouver Regional Library.
So consider taking a C-Tran shuttle, which leaves from the north side of Westfield Vancouver mall — where there’s tons of parking — every 15 minutes from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Round-trip tickets are $2. Return service begins when the fireworks show ends.
Or, ride your bike to the site and park it for free at the bike corral, which will be staffed by volunteers from nonprofit Bike Clark County.
Security
There have been some whispered worries around town about terrorists targeting our very own fireworks show for disruption or worse.
Cara Cantonwine, who coordinates the whole celebration for the Trust, said there’s a comprehensive safety committee including Vancouver police and fire departments, the Washington State Patrol and Department of Transportation, and the National Park Service. Always on hand during the event are a private security team and additional Vancouver police, both of whom are paid for by the Trust, as well as two fully staffed American Medical Response ambulances and emergency medical technicians on bicycles, Cantonwine said. Plus, 30 local volunteers with the Vancouver police’s Neighbors On Watch program will eyeball the crowd for security problems.
“We try to be prepared as possible, and we do think worst-case scenario,” Cantonwine said.
“We always staff up for the Fourth of July just because there are large crowds,” Vancouver police spokeswoman Kim Kapp said. “But it’s nothing out of the ordinary. The dry conditions are definitely of some concern, so we’re just encouraging people to enjoy the Fourth safely.”
