Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival, Sat/Sun 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. , Mon 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., July 2-4, Center for Wooden Boats and Lake Union Park. FREE. If you haven’t had a chance to see Seattle from the water, this is a great day to do it. Head to the Center for Wooden Boats and tour amazing vessels, take a free boat ride on Lake Union, explore the craft and skill demos and enjoy live music, kids’ activities, boat builder exhibits, food vendors and more. Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival.
Billy Elliott, Francis Gaudette Theatre, Issaquah, Fri/Sat 8 p.m., Sat/Sun 2 p.m., Sun 7 p.m.
Join young Billy Elliott as he discovers dance during the tumultuous miners’ strike of Northern England in 1984. His steadfast choice of ballet over boxing changes his life and the lives of those around him. Performance preview guide available online. $37-72. Show runs through July 3rd. Billy Elliott.
Freeway Park in Bloom: A 40th Anniversary Celebration, Sun July 3 11:30 -2 p.m. Freeway Park, 6th Ave and Seneca St. FREE
40 years ago, the Jim Ellis Freeway Park was the first park in America to lid an insterstate. Come celebrate this feat of architecture and engineering and this wonderful asset to our city with a day of music, food, face painting, a Freeway Park arboretum tour and fun, family activities. Be sure to BYO picnic and linger while Seattle Parks and Rec opens their 2nd annual Free Blues and Cool Jazz season. Freeway Park 40th Anniversary Celebration.
Naturalization Ceremony, Mon July 4 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion. FREE
It’s an inspirational and historical morning as hundreds of applicants from around the world are sworn in as new U.S. citizens. Celebrate the occasion at an 11 a.m. concert and a noon ceremony, then visit the fountain afterwards for some run-thru-the-water fun. Naturalization Ceremony.
Four on the 4th 4K Run/Walk, Mon July 4 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Ashwood Park, Bellevue
Dress up your pup (and yourself) in some red, white and blue and join the pack for this fun Independence Day run. Be sure to stay afterwards for your dog’s chance at fame in the doggie costume contest. Kids will love the inflatables and fire truck. Proceeds benefit Seattle Humane in Bellevue. $20, $30 pairs, $60 group of four. Check-in opens at 7:30 a.m. Run/Walk at 9 a.m. Parking available at Bellevue Library. Four on the 4th 4k.
Get Crafty Saturdays! Sat July 2 1-3 p.m. Bellevue Arts Museum
Stretch your creative muscles at fun drop-in art activities Saturdays at BAM. This weekend you’ll be making 3D bird’s nest with clay eggs and learning about the fun exhibits currently on display. Great for ages 4-10. $4 material fee per child. First come first serve. Admission $12, $10 students and seniors, $5 TeenTix, free ages 5 and younger. $30 per family. Get Crafty Saturdays!
