SEATTLE – Join the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as we kick off the 4th of July weekend with several Centennial events, including the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks 100th Anniversary ceremony, 10 a.m., July 4.
The weekend begins June 30 with Military and First Responder Appreciation Day, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Armed Services organizations and City of Seattle First Responders are scheduled to be on hand, offering a first-hand glimpse into the people and missions that protect and serve.
The Corps’ Seattle District is part of this tradition, serving both the military with construction at bases and the nation with its locations throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. The District also serves Seattle and the greater Pacific Northwest at all our operating dams and projects, like the Chittenden Locks in Ballard, and Mud Mountain and Howard Hanson Dams. We’re proud to host our sister services and local First Responders in honoring their tireless efforts serving the community.
At 2 p.m., July 1 the Professor Gadget Sax Quartet will perform as part of the Centennial Summer Concert Series and the 85th Street Big Band will perform another concert 2 p.m., July 2.
July 3 will see two major events. First, KNKX 88.5 FM presents “Jazz On A Summer’s Day,” 1 to 5 p.m. The Centennial Jazz Festival hosts a concert line up of “Pearl Django,” 1 to 2 p.m., “Birch Pereira & The Gin Joints,” 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., and “Industrial Revelation,” 4 to 5 p.m. Also, come see KNKX’s Live at the Locks broadcast of NPR’s “All Things Considered,” 3 to 6:30 p.m.
Then, at 5:30 p.m., the Corps’ partner Discover Your Northwest hosts “Dance with a View,” a period dance featuring “Miss Sunga & Her Rhythm Percolators” and a dance demonstration by Savoy Swing Club. Period costumes are encouraged.
During the July 3 events, you can also drop off non-perishable food donations for Northwest Harvest.
While visiting the Corps booth or the visitor center, you can try the souvenir penny machines, which elongate and emboss a new design, one of four Centennial graphics, on the penny. Typically these machines cost more, but as a special Centennial souvenir the cost is only a penny for one of the designs.
All events are open to the public. Limited concert seating is available on a first-come basis, but blankets or lawn chairs and picnic lunches are welcome with plenty of space on the grounds. All concerts and events are subject to change. For up-to-date information or weather cancellations call (206) 783-7059 or follow us on Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook.com/chittendenlocks and www.twitter.com/chittendenlocks. For a list of more Centennial events visit www.nws.usace.army.mil/locks100.