SeaTac cancels annual Fourth of July fireworks show over safety concerns

The annual Fourth of July fireworks show has been canceled for the City of SeaTac. The decision, approved by the city council, will scrap city-sponsored evening festivities for both this Fourth of July and next year.

The city cites safety issues and law enforcement staffing as reasons for the cancellations.

“Your safety comes first. Data from past events and upcoming global impacts like the FIFA games have made it clear: we simply cannot ensure a safe environment for large nighttime events at this time,” the City of SeaTac wrote in a statement.

David Inman, the city’s communications director, points to last year’s Fourth of July event at Angle Lake Park.

“The park’s capacity is approximately 3,200 people. And we had 10,000 attendees show up with only 10 available police officers,” Inman said. “Hosting a crowd of that size again would put our residents and visitors, and all of the attendees there at risk.”

SeaTac Fourth of July fireworks not canceled over last year’s drone malfunction

Last year’s event was notable not just for the crowd size, but for the technical mishap that ensued. During a drone show ahead of the evening fireworks display, 55 drones fell into Angle Lake.

“The drone mishap is not the reason for the cancellation,” Inman said.

News of the decision to cancel was followed by a slew of comments on social media. Some residents are referring to the decision as “shocking” and “disappointing.”

“It’s not goodbye, it’s a reset,” the city wrote in its statement. “We’re using this time to reimagine how we celebrate—something safer, more inclusive, and more fitting for a growing SeaTac.”

Angle Lake Park will remain open during the day on July Fourth, with access to swimming and the “splash pad.” The park will close at 6 p.m.