Check out the city of Kent’s annual free Fourth of July Splash event for music, food trucks, games and a fireworks display on Thursday, July 4 at Lake Meridian Park, 14800 SE 272nd St.
Event hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Park gates open at 3 p.m. for drop off only. No parking will be available at the park, but the city will offer shuttle service from two lots from 5 p.m. to after the fireworks, which start at 10 p.m. Park gates will lock at midnight.
The fireworks are presented by the city of Kent Parks Department and Lake Meridian Community Association. The fireworks show returned last year after a three-year absence due to the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 and a shortage of city funds in 2022.
Shuttle service
Shuttle buses will run approximately every 20 minutes from each parking area to Lake Meridian from 5 p.m. until after the fireworks display.
The parking lots:
• Kent Fire Station 75, 15635 SE 272nd St.
• Kentwood High School, 25800 164th SE in Covington (Gates closed at midnight)
Parking at Lake Meridian is by permit only. Only valid state issued disabled parking plaques and permits issued by the Fourth of July Splash will be allowed. Neighborhood parking is not advised as illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed.
A load and unload policy will apply at the Lake Meridian parking lot. Police will direct you to a location. One person must stay with vehicle at all times. Parking is 15 minutes only. Vehicles left unattended or not actively loaded or unloaded will be towed.
Music
6 p.m. Big Sky City Lights
This duo performs both lush originals and creatively arranged covers with a fresh and modern sound. Their special brand of stripped-down contemporary folk-pop creates an imaginary musical “locale” halfway between the spacious sky-filled landscapes of Montana – home to singer-songwriter-guitarist Nick Spear – and the urban cityscapes of New York where singer-songwriter Susan O’Dea resides.
8 p.m. Eldridge Gravy & The Court Supreme
This Seattle-based funk juggernaut features front man Eldridge Gravy backed by the hot, gritty orchestration of the 13-member Court Supreme. The group works dance floors to a fever pitch with their full-bore performance and smooth rapport with audiences. They have headlined practically every prestigious venue in Seattle and Portland, including Crocodile, Neumos, Tractor Tavern, Showbox, Doug Fir Lounge and Star Theater. They have also ruthlessly funked thousands of festival goers at Bumbershoot, the Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, July 4th at Gasworks Park and Summer Meltdown.
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The Big Sky City Lights duo of Susan O’Dea and Nick Spear will perform at 6 p.m. July 4 at Lake Meridian Park. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent Parks
Seattle-based Eldridge Gravy & The Court Supreme will perform at 8 p.m. at Fourth of July Splash at Lake Meridian Park. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent Parks
