In Your Neighborhood: Red, White & Blues Festival A Big Bang In Federal Way

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Red, White & Blues Festival A Big Bang In Federal Way

Above: Anticipation for the evening's display grew as the dusk soon arrived. Photo copyright 2009 by Mizu Sugimura.

This year's Federal Way Red, White & Blues Festival featuring live entertainment, hot dog eating contest, activities for kids and much anticipated public show of fireworks in Celebration Park also according to festival sponsors marked the tenth birthday of the facility.

The occasion was duly noted on Saturday night by attending civic leaders observed by an enthusiastic crowd of local citizens and their families. Musical performances included appearances by the : Randy Oxford Band, GruV box, Randy Hanson and the Federal Way Chorale.

Above: It was a definitely a crowd pleaser. Photo copyright 2009 by Mizu Sugimura.

Above: And there was something for everyone. Photo copyright 2009 by Mizu Sugimura.

Above: No doubt about it! Photo copyright 2009 by Mizu Sugimura.

Red, White & Blue Festival sponsors included: 4Culture, Federal Way Arts Commission, Federal Way Mirror, Rainier Pacific Bank, Red Canoe Credit Union, Waste Management and Woodstone Credit Union.

Note: Next year's festival planners might wish to provide additional microphones. As it was dignitaries and the Federal Way Chorale were poorly covered which minimized a clear hearing their remarks and performances. At the conclusion of the fireworks a warmer touch would be added if show organizers appoint a representative to gracefully wrap up the evening and bid goodnight to the crowd.

3 comments:

Kim Thompson said...: Gorgeous pics!; July 5, 2009 at 9:31 AM
Stephanie Frieze said...: Thank you for sharing the great pictures and post!; July 6, 2009 at 9:49 AM
JosephMcG said...: Pictures were wonderful... thank you... I hope the post get planners thinking!!!; July 6, 2009 at 8:59 PM

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Our regulars

Stephanie Frieze

Stephanie Frieze
…has always liked to write. Her experience includes three years at the University Washington School of Communications studying journalism. She had a stint at the Chinook Observer in Long Beach. Raised in Bellevue, she’s lived in Gig Harbor for nearly 18 years. She and her husband have a home in Ilwaco, where they spend as much time as possible. This mother of four loves books, spending time with family and the color purple. Contact her at dbandstefery@comcast.net.

Lorraine Hart
…was born a nomadic mutt. She spent her life observing, writing and making music. She’s an unabashed carrier of the titles “hippie,” “feminist” and “liberal.” She’s resided in the South Sound since 1996 and is currently living above Joe’s Bay in Home. She juggles her time between being a caregiver, a writer, an artist, a musician, a minister, a wife, a mother, an advocate, a friend and a pilgrim – not necessarily in that order. Contact her at matlox@cablespeed.com.

Jaynie Jones
…is a Tacoma resident with diverse career tracks in broadcasting, journalism, teaching, health care, desktop publishing, floral design, special event planning and photography. She’s best known as long-time KOMO radio personality Jaynie Dillon and was once a familiar voice on Tacoma stations KTAC, KBRD-FM, KTNT and KNBQ-FM. Formerly a resident of Tacoma’s East Side, she’s volunteered in the Eastside Substation and with Safe Streets. Contact her at jaynie.jones@gmail.com .

Tracy Lebenzon
...is a blog contributor from Greenwater. Greenwater is the last stop before Crystal Mountain, Mount Rainier and the surrounding wilderness areas. When not exploring the next mountain peak or forest trail, Tracy also contributes to the Greenwater Community Council and the Explore-Greenwater.com web site. He writes about topics ranging from favorite foot, bike, and snow trails to community events, local merchants and politics. Contact him at dmountains@explore-greenwater.com.

Joseph McGowan
…is a chaplain who supports patients, families, friends, nurses and doctors at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Being 67, he’s learned this about living: Meet people on their own ground and you will discover that this Earth is our special place to meet and support each other. His motto: Live now. Share yourself now. Every living thing you experience is a pure gift. Love all life unconditionally. Contact him at mcg9940@yahoo.com.

Mizu Sugimura
…is a third-generation Japanese American living in Federal Way. She’s married and a parent of one adult child. A lifelong resident of the Puget Sound area, she graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Washington School of Communications. and served on Federal Way’s Diversity and Art Commissions. Her interests are politics, art, the history of minorities in Washington and family history. She’s written a self-published family history about her paternal grandfather. Contact her at mizusugi@yahoo.com.

Kim Thompson
…is a Grit City native who was born and raised in Tacoma’s Old Town neighborhood by the gulch. She boasts that she’s a former Lowell Leopard, Mason Mustang and Wilson Ram, a short-time PLU Lute and a longtime UW Husky. This former corporate businesswoman is a wife, a mom, a school volunteer, a substitute teaching assistant, a writer and a born-again distance runner. She has convinced friends from Bellevue that Tacoma is worth the drive. Contact her at kimricksy@comcast.net. ugi@yahoo.com.