Celebrating Independence Day in the nation’s capitol is no small event. In Washington, D.C. you can expect a parade along Constitution Avenue that features over 3000 performers, dancers, giant balloons, floats, and much more. You can also check out the annual Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife or see the National Symphony Orchestra as they perform the popular holiday concert, which ends with a cascade fireworks over the Washington Monument.
Independence Day Parade – Beginning at 11:45 a.m. and lasting approximately 2 hours. The parade marches west along Constitution Ave. between 7th and 17th Streets NW.
4th of July at Great Meadow is the largest celebration in the Washington area. It is a family friendly event with activities for everyone. This includes model rocket launches, a blimp, rescue helicopters, concerts and a polo match. And for the little ones, there will be a petting farm, rock climbing wall, face painting, and pony rides. Car passes are $20 purchased in advance at greatmeadow.org or at Giant stores and $40 at the gate. Gates open at 4 p.m.
Time: 4:00PM – 11:45PM (ends on Saturday, Jul 5)
Cost: $20 perc ar in advance or $40 per car at the gate
Location: 5089 Old Tavern Road, The Plains, Virginia
The “A CAPITOL FOURTH” concert features new host this year – Jimmy Smits. It also features some extended fireworks coverage and a special tribute to the Olympic games. This year the musical line-up for 2008 includes: Huey Lewis and the News, Taylor Hicks, Jerry Lee Lewis, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Hayley Westenra and Harolyn Blackwell with the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Erich Kunzel. And there will be a special Olympic tribute will also feature figure skater and Gold medal winner Scott Hamilton.
Time: 8:00PM – 09:30PM
Cost: FREE
Location: West Lawn, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., District of Columbia
Fireworks - 9:10 – 9:30 p.m.
The optimum viewing areas for the fireworks will be at a distance from the launch site (Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool). These areas include:
U.S. Capitol
Lincoln Memorial
National Mall between 14th Street and the U.S. Capitol
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
The White House Ellipse
West Potomac Park
East Potomac Park
Anacostia Park
Marine Corps (Iwo Jima) Memorial
George Washington Memorial Parkway across the Potomac River in Virginia
For more info on Independence Day festivities in DC, click here.
