2008 Symetra Bellevue Family 4th
The Eastside’s Largest Independence Day Celebration to Welcome 60,000 Guests, Feature the 60-piece Bellevue Philharmonic Synchronized to Spectacular Fireworks
Bellevue, Wash. — (June 23, 2008) — This Independence Day, more than 60,000 people will gather from throughout the region in Bellevue Downtown Park to celebrate the 2008 Symetra Bellevue Family 4th, presented by Washington Square. The 60-piece Bellevue Philharmonic returns to perform a stirring set of patriotic themes and accompany the Eastside’s largest fireworks display.
Celebrating its 17th year, the Symetra Bellevue Family 4th will feature a 20-minute fireworks show, live music on the Overlake Hospital Main Stage, and a full line-up of kids’ activities in the Bellevue Parks Family Fun Zone. The community celebration will again feature a flyover by a C-17 Globemaster III from McChord Air Force Base. Delicious food and refreshments will be available for purchase on site in the southwest parking lot near the playground.
Complimentary event parking is offered after 6 p.m. at Bellevue Square. The 20-acre Bellevue Downtown Park is located immediately south of Bellevue Square at 10201 NE 4th Street. The City of Bellevue and the non-profit Bellevue Downtown Association co-produce the Symetra Bellevue Family 4th, presented by Washington Square.
Symetra Fireworks Display and the Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra The Bellevue Philharmonic, directed by Fusao Kajima, will orchestrate a special live Independence Day performance beginning at 9:20 p.m., including perennial crowd favorites: “William Tell Overture,” “Theme from Superman,” “1812 Overture Finale,” and “Stars & Stripes Forever.” The 20- minute Symetra Fireworks Display, accompanied live by the Philharmonic, will light the sky promptly at 10:05 p.m.
Overlake Hospital Main StageOverlake Hospital Main Stage performances begin at 4 p.m. with the Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder drumline, followed by 94.1 KMPS FM house band Nathan Chance & NorthCoast, and headlining main stage tribute band Rock Candy, playing rock, dance and pop hits from the 70s to today. The National Anthem will be performed by 14 year-old Natasha Lindquist, immediately following the Bellevue Fire and Police Department Honor Guard’s traditional presentation and placement of colors.
Bellevue Parks Family Fun ZoneThe Bellevue Parks Family Fun Zone will open at 2 p.m. and entertain youngsters throughout the evening with a variety of children’s activities, including inflatable games, jugglers, stilt walkers, mascot characters, balloon artists, face painting, Thunderbirds Hockey Puck Shoot Out, and a mountain climbing wall.
Symetra Community Spotlight PavilionThe Symetra Community Spotlight Pavilion will again connect event attendees to local organizations and volunteer opportunities. Representatives from several non-profit organizations, including PATH, Youth Venture, Pacific Science Center, YMCA, and the Northwest African American Museum, will showcase their programs and provide more information on ways to get involved. The
Seattle Seahawks, a community partner of Symetra, will provide fun team giveaways and feature an autograph session with the Sea Gals. In addition, as part of Symetra’s
Little Bit of Home project, cards will be available to write notes to troops oversees.
| Schedule of Events |
| Time |
Event |
Where |
| 2:00 p.m. |
Bellevue Parks Family Fun Zone opens |
Bellevue Downtown Park |
| 4:00 p.m. |
Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder drumline |
Overlake Hospital Main Stage |
| 4:40 p.m. |
C–17 Flyover from McChord Air Force Base |
Bellevue Downtown Park airspace |
| 5:30 p.m. |
Nathan Chance & NorthCoast |
Country hits on the Overlake Hospital Main Stage |
| 6:00 p.m. |
Meet on–air radio personalities & win prizes |
106.1 KISS FM & 94.1 KMPS FM tents |
| 7:30 p.m. |
Rock Candy |
Rock, dance & pop hits from the 70s to today on the Overlake Hospital Main Stage |
| 8:40 p.m. |
Honor Guard presentation & placement of the colors |
Bellevue Fire & Police Departments on the Overlake Hospital Main Stage |
| 8:50 p.m. |
The National Anthem |
Overlake Hospital Main Stage |
| 9:20 p.m. |
Bellevue Philharmonic |
Special Independence Day performance on the Overlake Hospital Main Stage |
| 10:05 p.m. |
Fireworks display presented by Symetra Financial |
Bellevue Downtown Park |
The success of the Symetra Bellevue Family 4th relies upon the sponsor support and volunteers from: Symetra Financial, Washington Square, Overlake Hospital Medical Center, Q13 FOX, The Seattle Times, 106.1 KISS FM, 94.1 KMPS FM, Illium Associates, and The Bellevue Collection. Event information is also available online at
www.bellevuedowntown.com/events or by calling 425-453-1223.
About Symetra Financial
Symetra Financial Corporation provides retirement plans, employee benefits, life insurance and annuities through a national network of independent advisors and agents. Headquartered in Bellevue, Wash., Symetra’s insurance company subsidiaries have nearly $20 billion in assets.
1 For more information, visit
www.symetra.com.
About Washington Square
Located in the heart of Downtown, Washington Square is Bellevue's most talked about new neighborhood. Just a minute's walk from Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square, and tons of other shops and restaurants, Washington Square defines pedestrian-friendly urban living. Condominiums and brick town homes are available to move-in to today. Experience the Bellevue Renaissance at Washington Square
www.washingtonsquareliving.com.
About the Bellevue Downtown Association
Established in 1974, the Bellevue Downtown Association is a nonprofit, membership organization charged with leading the continuing evolution of Downtown Bellevue as the economic and cultural heart of the Eastside. The BDA advocates for a shared vision of Downtown Bellevue, cultivates economic vitality, fosters a dynamic civic and cultural community and creates an open forum for Downtown constituents.
High resolution photos are available through BDA Communications Manager Patrick Bannon, patrick@bellevuedowntown.org, 425-453-3113.
1 Total GAAP assets per financial statements as of March 31, 2008.
Symetra® and the Symetra Financial logo are registered service marks of Symetra Life Insurance Company, 777 108th Avenue NE, Suite 1200, Bellevue, WA 98004.
