Going Fourth

WELCOME TO AMERICA:  Busy weekend 'round these parts. We started our Saturday, the Fourth of July, by heading to Seattle Center to see brand-spanking-new citizens sworn in in a ceremony at Fisher Pavilion.

We arrived at 11 a.m. and listened to about an hour of patriotic music thanks to a small orchestra playing in the blazing heat. 

Soon-to-be citizens shielded themselves with their immigration documents. 

Before the speeches and such, there was a flyover with vintage military craft. I was so darn mad I had the wrong lens on at the time. :/

 There were Americans of every shape and size at the event. 

 I think this was my favorite photo of the day. :)

At noon, the dignitaries assembled on stage, including Senator Maria Cantwell and Congressman Jim McDermott. 

 Mayor Ed Murray was the Master of Ceremonies.

A local judge read the oath, and the 504 people from 85 different countries, each with their own story, became American citizens. 

Annabelle's thoughts ...

On the 4^th of July, I went to Seattle Center to see a citizenship ceremony, where many people became citizens of the United States. The ceremony started at 11:00 with patriotic music, but the people became citizens around 12:50. Many state representatives and natives appeared, and there was even an audio recording from the president. Many people watched the ceremony as well. The ceremony was overall interesting to watch even though it was really hot and sunny outside.

And CJ's observations ... 

On July 4th, 2015, we went to a citizenship ceremony at Seattle Center, where we saw 504 immigrants from 85 different countries become United States citizens. Before the actual ceremony started, a small orchestra played multiple patriotic songs to welcome the people who were about to become citizens. Although we arrived at about 11:00 A.M (which was also when the music started), according to my mom, the people in the ceremony did not officially become citizens until about 12:50. At the ceremony, there were several state and local politicians visiting, including Ed Murray, the mayor of Seattle, Jay Inslee, the governor of Washington, and Maria Cantwell, a U.S Senator who represents Washington. Just prior to the ceremony, Ed Murray gave a short speech about the diversity of Seattle, mentioning places in Seattle such as the Chinatown-International District (which has a self-explanatory name) and the East African Orthodox Church (which also has a self-explanatory name). Overall, it was a very interesting experience seeing hundreds of people from all across the planet become citizens of the United States.

LATER ON: For the evening of the Fourth, we headed north, to Everett, where the Mariners' single A-level team took on the Hillsboro Hops', a single A team of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

 The game was entertaining and, to the chagrin of every single person in the stadium awaiting post-game fireworks, it went into extra innings. 

The stadium in Everett has a lovely backdrop.

 My favorite part of the night was after the game, watching a dude in Wranglers with a Bic lighter kick fireworks around centerfield. 'Murica!