Not just an idle exercise in passive patriotism, The Family Fourth at Lake Union is now very much a community event. Since Ivar Haglund and (last year) WaMu/JP Morgan Chase withdrew from sponsoring the annual shindig, it’s been crowd-sourced, if you will. Accordingly, the official website greets you with the giant words “You Did It!”, since individuals as well as corporations (Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Starbucks, Nordstrom, etc.) provided the show’s budget of over $600,000. All of which buys you a spectacular fireworks display, which begins around 10 p.m. But get there sooner for the burgers and hot dogs, the beer garden, music from the Dusty 45s (8 p.m.), and kiddie activities and games (including a climbing wall, face painting, and kite making). Also, Gail Pettis will sing the national anthem. Finally, remember the massive traffic jam that invariably follows the show; there’s a free bike corral if you pedal instead of drive. And Starbucks is organizing a clean-up the next morning (9 a.m.) with free pastries and coffee for volunteers. T. BONILLA

Mon., July 4, 12-11 p.m., 2011