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Huge fireworks show seen from Green Lake

What do you think? (44 Comments) May 22, 2010 at 10:34PM

Around 10 p.m. tonight (Saturday, May 22, 2010), a spectacular fireworks show could be seen (and heard!) from many areas of the Green Lake neighborhood.

Wondering what was up?

All we know at this point (thanks, West Seattle Blog!) is that they were connected to a private party.  According to KING 5, they originated in the Shoreline area.  My Green Lake tipsters reported seeing them from as far away as Wallingford.

Did you snap any pictures or video of the fireworks?  Know the story behind them?  Drop us a line.

Update, 11:25 p.m. – Thanks to commenter Lisa H for pinpointing the location of the fireworks show to Blue Ridge.  This jives with some earlier information from Josh Maher that the show appeared to be originating in Carkeek Park.

Update, 9:30 a.m., Sunday – My Ballard reader rexjak posted the following video of the show in the My Ballard forum:

And, we have a bit more information from My Green Lake commenters:

Cliff writes, “the fireworks were launched from a barge or boat on the water (Puget Sound), approximately just west of 127th Street NW (just north of Carkeek park).  This was a large, carefully coordinated display,” and Chris says the show lasted 25 minutes.

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What do you think? (44 Comments)
  • Lisa H

    They were right off-shore here at Blue Ridge park. VERY spectacular!!!! Someone spent a small fortune…

  • mygreenlake

    Thanks, Lisa! I've updated the post with your information. :)

    -amy

  • Cliff

    The fireworks were launched from a barge or boat on the water (Puget Sound), approximately just west of 127th Street NW (just north of Carkeek park). This was a large, carefully coordinated display. At first it seemed like it might be a rehearsal for the 4th of July, but it went on too long to be just a test.

  • Kryptin

    I was wondering what was going on. I saw them while coming across the Ballard Bridge towards the Blue Ridge area last night.

  • Chris

    I live @ 120th and thought someone had paid for my own personal fireworks display. I was watching TV when I thought I heard thunder only to look outside for lightening and saw fireworks. The show would rival 4th of July lasting 25 minutes. At first I thought the same as Cliff, but given Seattle almost didn't get fireworks this year I knew it couldn't be a rehearsal. I've tried finding information on the news, but nothing as of yet.

  • mygreenlake

    Thanks for all of your helpful comments! I've updated the post. I also added a video of the show that a My Ballard reader filmed.

    -amy

  • Nickybobo

    Is anyone else offended by the fact that no notice whatsoever was given to people living near this loud, unexpected display? It should be required for those who get permits to do this kind of expensive,
    over-the-top show of wealth to let neighbors know about them ahead of time, so that pets, children, senior citizens are not caught by surprise while walking, driving or living nearby. Not cool.

  • Mantini

    Contact the city – http://www.seattle.gov/customerservice/ – and ask. The city must have issued a permit, so they can tell you who (if anyone) was responsible for notifying neighbors. If that's not required, you can lodge a complaint and tell them it should be. If you're offended, do something about it.

  • Nickybobo

    Thanks for the helpful, if a bit abrupt, suggestion, Mantini! Now of course, after having contacted the city of Seattle, I'll see what they have to say.
    BTW, a year or so ago some guy's wedding at Gas Works Park had a fireworks show, and the neighbors got all up arms about it then. What has changed?
    Now, as for your attitude, you could try being a bit nicer when responding to a question such as “Is anyone else offended”? I was just asking, dude…

  • Fred

    Don't be so uptight and ruin it for everybody else. I doubt whoever did the fireworks was doing to “show their wealth”.

  • Nickybobo

    “Don't be so uptight and ruin it for everybody else,” Fred? Really? Did I go back in time and interrupt the performance?
    They ruined a nice quiet evening at home for hundreds of households, and I am ruining it for everybody else?
    Okay, maybe “show of wealth” isn't for sure, but “loud, unexpected” and “expensive” certainly is!

  • Paul F

    @Nickybobo: You live in a city. Deal.

  • Herndon Roberts

    We live right up the hill on NW 120th in Broadview and had a birdseye view of this remarkable and surprising event! Yes, it was loud, but beautiful, and it was a Saturday night, afterall…I thought it was probably someone who lived near the water at the foot of the hill, who was celebrating a milestone event in their life, perhaps a 50th B.D.
    I used to see this done in LaJolla, actually quite often, so I was not so surprised, and enjoyed the free show, as I guess many of the others did as well who pulled their cars over to the side of the road.

  • Nickybobo

    I am dealing, and practicing my right of free speech, Fred.

  • Nickybobo

    And wouldn't it have been better if we had all known about the show beforehand, so those of us who wanted to could have driven over, parked or walked down to the water and enjoyed it from the beginning,
    and those who didn't want to hear it in their bedrooms could have turned up their televisions or stereos, gotten their pets inside, and not been suddenly surprised by the noise? A little notice would have been appreciated.

  • rexjak
  • mygreenlake

    Thanks, rexjak! GREAT video. :)

  • http://www.misssadiebaxter.etsy.com misssadie

    I have to say – I live on 120th, too, and I was delighted and surprised by the show. I have had several horrendous weeks lately with family deaths, injuries and broken bones and frankly have been so down in the dumps over it all. I was so happy watching the fireworks and enjoyed every minute of it, as did my husband. For a bit I got to stop thinking about my problems and be happy! I am grateful to whoever paid for the show – it made my week! Thanks for the beauty!

  • Nickybobo

    Interesting loophole they found, according to Seattle Parks and Recreation:

    May 26, 2010

    The Seattle Fire Department reports that the fireworks display took place outside of Seattle city limits, and so was regulated by the Coast Guard and King County.
    The Coast Guard confirmed that information, and verified that the May 22 private fireworks show was at GPS coordinates 47 degrees 43' 42″ by 122 degrees 24' 26″,
    which is three-quarters of a mile north of Seattle city limits.

    Sincerely,
    Laurie Dunlap
    Superintendent's Office, Seattle Parks and Recreation

    “Creating community through people, parks and programs.”
    http://www.seattle.gov/parks

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  • Hds1931

    To whomever gave us that incredible, beautiful fireworks display: THANKS!! We had guests from

    Canada and one little girl who had never seen fireworks. She and We were all thrilled! North Beach Guy

  • K Ice Seattle

    There is no loophole. Please contact me with information about this b.s. private fireworks party.

  • K Ice Seattle

    There is no loophole. Please contact me with information about this b.s. private fireworks party.