National
Park Service helps Greater Washington and the Nation celebrate Independence Day
with Parade, Music and Fireworks
SATURDAY, JULY 4TH
The National Park
Service (NPS) announces the 2009 annual Independence Day celebration of our
nation’s founding, continuing the tradition of day-long activities for all
ages, with events designed to highlight freedom and diversity that will include
a parade, the Folklife Festival, concerts, and fireworks,
all taking place on and near national park land in the heart of the nation’s
capital.
Welcome to the National Capital Region of the National
Park Service. All events are free and open to the public. Dates, times and
information are subject to change. The calendar is prepared in the Office
of Communications. For other happenings
in our national parks visit www.nps.gov click on your
park of interest.
Contact: Toni Braxton
202-619-7222
Alcohol is
prohibited
On the National Mall
And on the Washington
Monument grounds, as
Well as along the
George Washington
Memorial Parkway
WATCH FOR UPDATES:
WHITE HOUSE VISITOR CENTER
Between 9:00 a.m.
and 3:00 p.m., visitors who have the
“liberty” to stop at the White House Visitor Center may experience what it
would be like to be a “Signer of the Declaration of Independence for a Day”
with the help of NPS rangers and volunteers from President’s Park. The White House Visitor Center is located
near the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue between 14th and 15th
Streets, N.W., on the north side of the Commerce Department building. During
this full day of free programming, visitors will have the opportunity to sample
the sights, sounds, activities and personages that helped finalize the
Declaration of Independence and create the United States of America on July 4,
1776. The day’s events include games,
crafts and other activities designed for both children and adults.
NATIONAL MALL & MEMORIAL PARKS
Public access to the National Mall begins at
10:00 a.m., with all visitors
required to enter via a National Mall Access point. Because of the new
security measures, the lines for entry to the National Mall may be long. We ask
for your patience, cooperation, and assistance in keeping “YOU” our visitors,
safe.
The Washington
Monument will be closed all day on July 4th.
The World War II
Memorial will close at 4:00 p.m. on July 4th.
NPS’ transportation
concessioner Tourmobile will not operate any tours on
July 4th. Tourmobile
will resume tour operations on July 5th.
Public access to
the National Mall begins at 10:00 a.m., with all visitors required to enter via
a National Mall Access point. The U.S.
Capitol grounds opens at 3:00 p.m. for visitors wanting to view “A Capitol
Fourth,” with a security check required of all visitors. No alcohol or glass
containers are allowed.
The 43rd annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival, co-sponsored by the NPS, continues its run on the National Mall from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. between 7th
and 14th streets. There is no
admission charge. This year’s festival features three programs: Giving Voice: The Power of Words in African
American Culture, Las Américas: Un
Mundo Musical/The Americas: A Musical World, and
Wales Smithsonian Cymru. For
more information, please visit: www.folklife.si.edu or call 202.633.1000 to hear
a recorded description of daily events.
The NPS’ “America’s 2009 Independence Day
Parade” – will kick off
the excitement at 11:45 a.m., lasting approximately two hours on Constitution
Avenue. The parade route moves westward
from 7th Street to 17th Street, N.W.
Viewing areas for this traditional July 4th parade will be available
along Constitution Avenue. Highlighting
the parade will be representation from all branches of the Armed Forces. Parade
participants include marching bands, floats, balloons, and specialty
units. This year the National Park
Service will be represented with a Recycling Team.
At 6:00 p.m., the
Independence Day Concert begins on the southwest corner of the Washington
Monument grounds, near the intersection of 17th Street and Independence Avenue,
S.W. Music will be performed by the U.S. Army Concert Band and the U.S. Army Band Downrange featuring
guest Country music artist, Mark Wills.
The NPS, with the assistance of many
individual volunteers and the Environmental Protection Agency, will monitor the
grounds and maintain recycling locations along the Washington Monument grounds
to collect recyclables, including aluminum cans and plastic bottles. Glass bottles are not permitted within the
Independence Day celebrations.
U.S. Capitol
Friday, July 3rd at 7:30 p.m. - Dress Rehearsal for the “Capitol Fourth”
concert
8:00 p.m. on the West lawn of the U.S. Capitol- America’s biggest
and best-loved birthday party, “A
Capitol Fourth” concert featuring the National Symphony Orchestra (
This 90-minute
concert will be broadcast live nationally on both PBS and NPR-member stations. The concert is free and is presented by the
NPS and its producer, Capital Concerts, Inc.
Jimmy Smits will return to
host America’s biggest birthday party
and for the first time ever, Barry Manilow, will open and close the
broadcast with a stirring medley of hits and patriotic classics along with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Choral Arts Society of Washington.
Joining him are the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin;
international pop sensation Natasha Bedingfield; the Tony and Grammy Award-winning cast of Jersey Boys ; multi-Grammy Award
nominee Michael Feinstein; and
acclaimed classical pianist Andrew von Oeyen.
The concert will also feature unrivaled musical performances with
the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of America’s prince of
pops Erich Kunzel. As a special treat for the entire
family, Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster,
Oscar the Grouch and more of the SESAME STREET
gang will be on hand to celebrate America’s 233rd
birthday. The concert will be
capped off by a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812Overture,” complete
with live cannon fire provided by the United States Army Presidential Salute
Battery.
NPS FIREWORKS ON THE NATIONAL MALL
The traditional NPS fireworks will begin at 9:10 p.m. and last until 9:27
p.m. Pyro
Shows, Inc. of LaFollette, TN will provide this
year’s visual extravaganza. The rain
date for the NPS fireworks display is Sunday, July 5 at 9:10 p.m.. For
more information about the July 4th National Mall fireworks show,
visit www.pyroshows.com
ANTIETAM NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
At 7:30 p.m., join the Maryland Symphony
Orchestra for their annual Salute to Independence Concert. Come out and enjoy
an evening of patriotic music for a special Independence Day celebration
followed by fireworks. The concert is free. Call the park for further
information, 301-432-5124.
C&O
Canal National Historic Site
The
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park will present its traditional
Independence Day excursion to Fletcher's Cove on the canal boat "Georgetown."
The "Georgetown" will depart its dock at 11:00 a.m. from 1057 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Washington DC, and
will arrive at Fletcher's Cove at approximately 12:30 pm. It will depart
Fletcher's Cove at 2:30 pm and arrive back in Georgetown at about 4:00 pm.
Music,
storytelling and a history of the Star Spangled Banner will be featured on the
canal boat, while 19th century games such as quoits, horseshoes, and
croquet will be available to all at Fletcher's Cove from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Fares for people aged 4 and up are $5.00 one
way and $8.00 round trip. Reservations are strongly recommended as
space is limited. Call the park's Georgetown Visitor Center at 202-653-5190
Wednesday through Sunday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm for reservations or for more information.
George Washington Memorial Parkway
From 2:00 p.m. to
4:00 p.m., the George Washington Memorial Parkway will sponsor a free concert
at the Netherlands Carillon. Located next
to the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, VA, visitors will be able
to watch and listen to a trained carillonneur play
the Carillon’s bells. During the concert
visitors will have the opportunity to climb the tower stairs to see one of the
best views of Washington, D.C.
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Harpers Ferry, WV
11:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m., “America’s Picnic: Celebrating the glorious
Fourth!” Join in for a special
living history program on how the 4th was celebrated in America. The traditional hometown band with the
Wildcat Regiment Band and the Regimental Band of the 105th Pennsylvania
Volunteer Infantry will perform.
Call 304-535-6063 for further information.
Food Services:
NPS concessioner,
Guest Services, Inc., will have food and refreshments available for purchase at
concession stands and facilities on the National Mall, Columbia Island,
Memorial Circle, and the Netherlands Carillon.
The sale or solicitation of food and other retail items, without prior
authorization, is not allowed on NPS property.
Transportation Services:
Parking throughout the area will be extremely
limited on July 4
Both the NPS and
the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) strongly encourage all visitors to take
public transportation or to bicycle to the Independence Day celebrations.
Nearby Metro
stations for the National Mall and President’s Park include Federal Triangle,
Metro Center, and Gallery Place-Chinatown.
Additional stations convenient to the National Mall include Smithsonian,
Capitol South, L’Enfant Plaza, Union Station, Federal Center S.W., and Archives-Navy
Memorial-Penn Quarter. Nearby stations
for the GWMP include Arlington National Cemetery, Rosslyn, and Ronald Regan
Washington National Airport. For more
information visit www.wmata.com
Nearby stations for
the GWMP include Arlington National Cemetery, Rosslyn and Ronald Reagan
Washington National Airport.
Metro’s planned hours of operation on July
4th are from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. On July 4th, Metro
will not allow bicycles on Metrorail, but will allow bikes on Metro bus. Visit wmata.com for more information.
2:00 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. the NPS, in partnership with the Washington
Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), will provide Independence Day free bike
valet parking at two locations, 15th
Street between Independence Avenue and Jefferson Drive, located just east of
the Washington Monument, and on the south side of the Lincoln Memorial on
Daniel French Drive.
George Washington Memorial Parkway parking:
No parking will be allowed along the shoulders
of the GWMP, as parking there would create unsafe access points and could lead
to injuries or death. This restriction
will be strictly enforced and violators will be towed.
Free parking will be allowed on a first-come,
first-served basis at Theodore Roosevelt Island, Gravelly Point, and
Daingerfield Island. Ground conditions permitting, the grass area
on Gravelly Point will be open to additional parking. There will be three designated parking areas
on the George Washington Memorial Parkway -- two grass lots north of Memorial
Circle and one grass lot south of Memorial Circle. The Pentagon will also allow parking in the
North Parking lot across from Columbia Island.
Columbia Island - LBJ Grove Open to
Pedestrians:
The pedestrian bridge from the North Pentagon
parking area to Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove/Columbia Island will be
open this year to allow visitors access to these park areas. However, due to
the ongoing Humpback Bridge reconstruction, there will be no pedestrian
crossing to the Potomac Riverfront via Columbia Island. Slipholders may
still access Columbia Island marina from the southbound GWMP.
Safety Concerns:
This year, as in all previous years,
safety and security are and remain the NPS’ top priorities. The NPS asks
visitors to follow a few guidelines to help everyone stay safe. Please bring plenty of water for hydration,
dress in weather-appropriate attire, and use sunscreen. On the National Mall, personal tents with
side coverings that block other visitors’ views and tents that require
placement of stakes into the ground are prohibited, as stakes will damage the
underground irrigation system. Due to
limited viewing space on the Washington Monument grounds, visitors are asked not
to plan active recreational activities (i.e. volleyball, badminton, etc.).
Due to safety
concerns and large crowds, no grills, alcohol, glass bottles, or personal
fireworks are permitted on NPS property, as grilling and personal fireworks
risk fires.
In addition, to ensure the same level of public safety and
security as in previous years, the United States Park Police (USPP) and other
agencies will again establish access points at various locations where all
persons must enter the National Mall and sections of the GWMP. (Please see a list of all 11 access points
and road closures below). All coolers,
backpacks, packages, and persons will be subject to inspection. Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages,
firearms, glass
containers, and the possession
and use of personal fireworks are prohibited on the National Mall grounds, GWMP
property and on all surrounding federal park lands, including the Ellipse and
Anacostia and Potomac River shorelines.
The NPS and USPP
strongly recommend visitors leave their pets at home as the noise and lights of
fireworks often frighten animals. Visitors are reminded it is NPS policy that
pets must be physically restrained at all times either by crating, caging or by
keeping the pet on a leash no
more than six (6)-feet
in length. Pet waste must be disposed of
in a plastic bag and deposited in a trash receptacle.
For visitor
convenience and comfort, portable restrooms will be supplied for the July 4th
events, and distributed throughout the National Mall. Twenty percent of the portable
restrooms will be handicapped accessible.
ACCESS POINTS
National Mall &
Memorial Parks Access points- entry to National Mall at 10:00 a.m. on July 4th:
·
West entrance,
or George Washington Memorial Parkway side of Memorial Bridge;
·
Parkway Drive
at Lincoln Memorial Circle
·
Constitution
Avenue and 23rd Street;
·
Constitution
Avenue and 17th Street;
·
Constitution
Avenue between 14th and 15th Streets;
·
Independence
Avenue and 14th Street;
·
Westside of 14th
Street, at Jefferson Drive, S.W.;
·
Westside of 14th
Street, at Madison Drive, S.W.;
·
Maine Avenue
and Raoul Wallenberg Place, (i.e. formerly 15th
Street);
·
East Basin
Drive, just south of the Jefferson Memorial (visitors will not be able to
access the National Mall from this access point); and
·
East Basin
Drive, at Inlet Bridge.
George Washington Memorial Parkway Access
points:
·
U.S. Marine Corps
War Memorial and Netherlands Carillon (no access to National Mall);
·
Memorial Circle
(access to National Mall via Memorial Bridge restricted to pedestrians only);
·
Columbia
Island/Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove (no access to Potomac Riverfront or
National Mall);
·
Gravelly Point,
north of National Airport (no access to National Mall);
·
Washington Sailing
Marina at Daingerfield Island (no access to National Mall);
Capitol grounds
Access points- entry to “a Capitol Fourth” concert at 3:00 p.m. July 3 rd and
4th:
·
First Street on Constitution and Independence Ave.
·
Garfield and Peace Circles are handicap accessible
The day promises to
be exciting and fun-filled!' FREE EVENT!!!!!!!!
Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages is
prohibited on the Washington Monument grounds. Alcohol is also prohibited in
East and West Potomac Parks and on the National Mall.
LINKS
For the most up-to-date information about the
Fourth of July activities at the National Mall and Memorial Parks, please
visit: www.nps.gov/dc/july4th
Presidents Park,
visit www.nps.gov/whho
“A Capitol Fourth” concert visit, http://pressroom.pbs.org/programs/a_capitol_fourth_2009
C&O Canal National Historical Park,
visit http://www.nps.gov/choh/
Smithsonian Folklife Festival visit www.folklife.si.edu