Fireworks, Military Flyovers Planned For DC July 4th Celebration

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of the Interior unveiled its plans Wednesday for President Trump's Salute to America celebration on the Fourth of July. The plans include a fireworks display in the evening and military flyovers of the National Mall in D.C. The event will go on despite the District still being under a public health emergency due to the new coronavirus.

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will host the 2020 Salute to America Saturday on the South Lawn of the White House and the Ellipse. This event will be live-streamed on WhiteHouse.gov and other news organizations.

“President Trump’s 2020 Salute to America will be a patriotic tribute to our men and women in uniform, and the Department of Defense will be providing a one-of-a-kind air show,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt, in the release. “An incredible fireworks display will follow that promises to be the largest in recent memory.”

Interior's release did not include a time for President Trump's remarks nor did it say if the event was open to the public, although it did say the National Mall and surrounding areas would be open to the public for viewing the flyovers and fireworks.

Military flyovers above the National Mall will take place 6:45- 8 p.m., and include vintage aircraft, as well as appearances by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Donations from the United War Veteran's Council Foundation are supporting the flyovers.

More than 10,000 fireworks will be launched from the Inlet Bridget at the south end of West Potomac Park, extending to the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. The show will take place from 9:07-9:44 p.m.

In recent weeks, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has reminded District residents that the city was still under a health emergency due to COVID-19, the virus associated with the new coronavirus. She has encouraged District residents to avoid large gatherings and celebrate the Fourth of July at home.

"We want to emphasize that the virus is still in our community and poses a threat to Washingtonians," Bowser said, during a Wednesday morning press briefing.

Interior will be restricting access to the National Mall to four entry points within the secure area, which extends from 17th Street to the Lincoln Memorial between Constitution Avenue N.W. to Independence Avenue S.W. Anyone who enters this area will be subject to a search, including all coolers, backpack, and packages.

The following entry points will open at 1 p.m. and remain open until 9 p.m.:

• Constitution Avenue NW at 20th Street NW;
• Constitution Avenue NW between 23rd Street NW and Henry Bacon Drive NW;
• 17th Street NW between Constitution Avenue NW and Independence Avenue SW (near the World War II Memorial); and
• East Basin Drive just south of the Jefferson Memorial (NOTE: Visitors will not be able to access the National Mall from here.).

"A supply of more than 300,000 cloth face coverings will be available and distributed to visitors attending the Independence Day celebration at the National Mall," the Interior release said. "These cloth face coverings are not surgical masks or respirators, and visitors should familiarize themselves with CDC considerations for wearing a cloth face covering."

Interior strongly urged visitors to bring their own face coverings and maintain social distancing to avoid spreading infectious diseases. It also encouraged people in identified risk groups as determined by the CDC to review CDC guidelines before attending the event.

The fireworks display should be visible from three miles away, according to the release, and Interior recommended several public spaces to view the show in D.C. and along the Potomac River in Virginia.

Arlington County issued a July 4th traffic alert Tuesday, including road closures and restrictions due to COVID-19. The county will be limiting viewing at Long Bridge Park to 1,000 individuals. Non-approved vendors will be prohibited at the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, where backpacks and coolers will be subject to search upon entry. Many roads will be closed and no parking zones instituted around the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, Long Bridge Park, and the Air Force Memorial.

Bowser confirmed the city would provide street closures and any other measures necessary to support Interior's Fourth of July activities.

"We are giving D.C. residents the same message about any of their outings for the holiday weekend," Bowser said. "Ask yourself, do you need to be there? Can you anticipate or know who all is going to be around you. If you go downtown, do you know if you're going to be able to social distance? Do you know if you'll be getting on a crowded subway car? Do you know if the people who are sitting next to you have symptoms or are sick or wearing masks?"

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