By David Guest

Tacoma Daily Index editor

Soaring aircraft, thundering fireworks and food and music are set to take over the Ruston Way waterfront when the Tacoma Freedom Fair takes place on Monday, July 4.

While the fireworks will finish the day’s events (at 10:10 p.m.), there will be plenty of other things to see and do on land and on and over the water.

Events begin at 10 a.m., featuring music on five stages, dozens of vendors serving an international assortment of food and drink, an arts and crafts area and kid’s play area.

The fair covers the full length of Ruston Way whichwill be closed to traffic for the duration of the event. Parking is limited, however, Pierce Transit will provide a free shuttle to and from Tacoma Community College and the Tacoma Dome Station throughout the event.

Pedestrian access is from four entry points:

• The main entrance on McCarver Street from North 30th Street in Old Town Tacoma (where the Freedom Fair Express bus drops off passengers).
• At the center of the event, down the North 36th Street hill to North Alder Way.
• From North Ferdinand Street, which provides pedestrian access as well as vehicular access to the only public parking and disability parking locations (available on a first-come, first-served basis for $20 per car).
• And to the north, from the Town of Ruston via Ruston Way. Vehicles may not enter from this direction.

Voluntary donations for admission to the waterfront are suggested at $3 per person/$7 per family. The proceeds help offset the expenses incurred by the volunteer, non-profit Tacoma Events Commission which presents the annual event.

The Freedom Fair Air Show will take place over Commencement Bay, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

For an early look at some of the aircraft performing on Monday, visitors may attend the Gig Harbor Wings and Wheels event which will be held Sunday, July 3 at the Tacoma Narrows Airport, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Other local July 4 fireworks displays

Fireworks start at dark (10-10:15 p.m.)

Bainbridge – Grand Old 4th of July, 9 a.m.-dark, over Eagle Harbor (between ferry dock and Pritchard Park).

Bellevue – Bellevue Family Fourth, 2-10:30 p.m., Bellevue Downtown Park (10201 NE Fourth St., Bellevue).

Des Moines – Fireworks Over Des Moines, 10 p.m., Des Moines Marina (22307 Dock St., Des Moines).

Enumclaw – Stars and Stripes, parade noon;  fireworks 9:45 -10:45 p.m., Southwood soccer fields (3240 McDougall Ave., Enumclaw).

Kirkland – Celebrate Kirkland, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Marina Park (25 Lake Shore Plaza, Kirkland.

Federal Way – Red, White & Blues Festival, 4-10:15 p.m., Celebration Park (1095 S. 324th St., Federal Way).

Kent – Fourth of July Splash, noon-10:30 p.m., Lake Meridian Park (14800 SE 272nd St., Kent).

Port Orchard – Fathoms O’ Fun, 10:30 p.m., Sinclair Inlet.

Poulsbo – Fireworks on the Fjord 3rd of July Celebration, 10 p.m. (Sunday, July 3), Liberty Park Bay (18809 Anderson Parkway, Poulsbo).

Renton – Fabulous 4th of July, 9 a.m.-dark, Gene Coulon Park (1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N., Renton).

Sammamish – Fourth on the Plateau, 6 – 10:30 p.m., Sammamish Commons Plaza at City Hall (801 228th Ave SE, Sammamish)

Sea-Tac – Family Fourth of July, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Angle Lake Park (19408 International Blvd., SeaTac).

Seattle – Seafair Summer Fourth, noon-11 p.m., Gas Works Park (2102 N. Northlake Way, Seattle).

Tukwila – Family 4th at the Fort, 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Fort Dent Park (6800 Fort Dent Way, Tukwila).

Freedom Fair music schedule