Organizers select theme, seek community support for annual Fourth of July events in Kirkland

Celebrate Kirkland and the Kirkland Downtown Association have announced that the theme for this year's Fourth of July celebration in downtown Kirkland will be "It's a Small World." The groups are also seeking support from community businesses.

By Matt Phelps • May 18, 2016 3:57 pm
The Fourth of July parade in Kirkland precedes the community picnic and fire works display. Reporter file photo
The Fourth of July parade in Kirkland precedes the community picnic and fire works display. Reporter file photo

Celebrate Kirkland and the Kirkland Downtown Association have announced that the theme for this year’s Fourth of July celebration in downtown Kirkland will be “It’s a Small World.” The groups are also seeking support from community businesses.

The theme is inspired by the 50th anniversary of the Disneyland exhibition “It’s a Small World” and the 50th anniversary of the death of Walt Disney. It’s a Small World was first conceived for the 1964 New York World’s Fair as part of an exhibit called Children of the World as a salute to UNICEF and the World’s Children. It re-opened as an attraction at Disneyland in 1966. The theme song was crafted to be easily translated and performed in all languages.

“That song became a movement that spoke to the spirit of international unity and was embraced around the world as a symbol of, and hope for, world peace,” a release from the two Kirkland organizations states.

“We invite and encourage everyone in Kirkland to join us on the Fourth of July in a celebration of this theme in the annual Lee Johnson Auto Family Fourth of July Parade and throughout the day at Marina park in downtown Kirkland, and a fabulous fireworks display on Lake Washington,” said Chair and Kirkland City Councilwoman Penny Sweet. “We invite broad cultural participation from all of the communities within our community. What better day to do so than on the birthday of our independence?”

The City of Kirkland designates this event as a community event and partners with Waste Management. The Lee Johnson Auto Family is also a sponsor.

The organizations are asking that businesses or corporate sponsors support the community event with a donation of $100 or more. Donations can be sent to Celebrate Kirkland/KDA 440 Central Way Kirkland, WA 98033.

“We need every person to help in funding the Fourth of July every year,” Sweet said. “We need to raise the balance of $25,000 to $30,000.”

For more information on sponsorship, contact KDA Director Barbie Collins Young at barbiey@kirklanddowntown.org.

The groups are also seeking community members to be on the oversight committee for the event. Anyone interested should contact the organizers at info@celebratekirkland.org.

For more information about the event, visit www.celebrateKirkland.org or email info@celebratekirkland.org.