Symetra Bellevue Family 4th Is Eastsides Largest
Independence Day Celebration
BELLEVUE, WA — (June 22, 2006) — The 2006 "Symetra Bellevue Family 4th," presented by Q13 FOX, will entertain more than 60,000 people in the Bellevue Downtown Park with live music, family activities and an expanded fireworks display set to a live performance by the Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra.
Nearly 2,500 fireworks will light the sky, with a finale triple the size of last year’s show. The 2006 event also will focus on community involvement, as title sponsor Symetra Financial launches a food and volunteer drive.
"Now in our second year sponsoring this event, Symetra wanted to take the celebration up a notch," said Stan Emert, director of corporate social responsibility for Symetra Financial. “This year’s fireworks show will be bigger than ever and we are introducing new ways to bring families, neighbors, and communities closer together during this important holiday."
Activities kick-off in the early evening Tuesday, July 4, with live music on the Overlake Hospital Medical Center Main Stage. Local R&B and Motown band Emerald City Throwdown will take the stage at 6 p.m., followed by country artist Jonathan Harris. Also opening at 6 p.m., the Puget Sound Energy Kids Fun Zone will feature a full-range of activities for kids, including magicians, theatrical performances, mascot characters, puppet shows, inflatable games, balloon artists, and face painting.
Fireworks commence at 10:05 p.m. Broadcast partner Q13 FOX will televise the display.
Beyond the fireworks, Symetra has strengthened the impact of this year’s event by launching a food drive and volunteer sign-up campaign. Symetra invites the public to bring non-perishable food items to the event with donations benefiting local summer children’s programs in partnership with Overlake Service League.
The Symetra Special Teams Tent will also connect attendees to volunteer opportunities. Representatives from several non-profit organizations, such as Youth Eastside Services, YMCA, the Northwest African American Museum, Leadership Eastside, Junior Achievement and the Boy Scouts of America, will highlight their programs and provide more information on ways to get involved.
"This grand event has the ceremony of a big city celebration and the community spirit of a hometown 4th of July block party," added Leslie Lloyd, president of the Bellevue Downtown Association. "It’s definitely the place to be on the Eastside with amazing fireworks, great music and a little something for the whole family."
Guests may choose from a wide selection of food and refreshment options available on site in the Bellevue Downtown Park. Free parking for the event is available after 6 p.m. at Bellevue Square. The 20-acre park is located immediately south of Bellevue Square at 10201 NE 4th Street.
| Time |
Event |
Description |
| 4:30 p.m. |
Pacific Sound Chorus |
Women’s a cappella chorus |
| 5:00 p.m. |
Giggleworks Magic Show |
Magic show for the kids arriving early |
| 6:00 p.m. |
Emerald City Throwdown |
High energy Motown and soul hits |
| 6:00 p.m. |
Zambini Brothers’ puppet show |
Giant puppet show for all ages |
| 6:45 p.m. |
Mad Science Theatrical Performance |
Science at the Puget Sound Energy Kids Zone |
| 7:30 p.m. |
Jonathan Harris |
Contemporary country music |
| 7:30 p.m. |
Zambini Brothers’ puppet show |
Giant puppet show for all ages |
| 8:15 p.m. |
Mad Science Theatrical Performance |
Science at the Puget Sound Energy Kids Fun Zone |
| 8:40 p.m. |
Honor Guard presentation; Placement of the Colors; National Anthem |
Bellevue Fire and Police Departments, and Bellevue Chamber Chorus |
| 9:30 p.m. |
Bellevue Philharmonic |
Special Independence Day performance |
| 10:05 p.m. |
Fireworks display presented by Symetra Financial |
The Eastside's largest fireworks display |
Produced by the Bellevue Downtown Association and the City of Bellevue, the success of the Symetra Bellevue Family 4th relies upon the sponsor support and volunteers from: Symetra Financial, Overlake Hospital Medical Center, Puget Sound Energy, Q13 FOX, The Seattle Times, KISS 106.1, 94.1 KMPS, 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 is a family of companies with nearly a half-century of experience providing retirement plans, employee benefits, annuities and life insurance through independent distributors nationwide. The company has more than $20 billion in assets
1. Symetra Financial is owned by an investor group led by White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd. and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. For more information, visit Symetra Financial's Website at
www.symetra.com.
About the Bellevue Downtown Association
Established in 1974 as a nonprofit organization, the Bellevue Downtown Association and its members lead the continuing evolution of downtown Bellevue as the economic and cultural heart of the Eastside.
1 Total GAAP assets per closing statements of December 31, 2005
Symetra® and the Symetra Financial logo are registered service marks of Symetra Life Insurance Company, 777 108th Avenue NE, Suite 1200, Bellevue, WA 98004.
