Washington, DC is “the” place to be on the Fourth of July. Independence Day is America’s biggest birthday bash and DC celebrates it big with a parade along Constitution Avenue. The pomp and circumstance includes more than 3000 performers, dancers, giant balloons, floats, and military personnel from thirteen states.
The annual Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife overlaps with the celebration and is filled with fun for the whole family. In the evening, the National Symphony Orchestra performs music that celebrates America and to top it all off the concert concludes with a magnificent fireworks display over the Washington Monument. Later in the week, historic Alexandria celebrates with a festival, concert and fireworks.
America's 2009 Independence Day Parade:
Date: July 4, 2009
Location: Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th Streets, NW
Start Time: 11:45 a.m. sharp
The Fourth of July celebration kicks-off with the traditional Independence Day Parade. This is a flag-waving, patriotic, red, white and blue event filled with marching bands, music, dancers floats and service men and women.
A Capitol Fourth - 2009 Concert:
Date: July 4, 2009
Location: West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol
Time: 8 - 9:30 p.m.
Airs Live: PBS 8 - 9:30 p.m. ET
America's premier Independence Day holiday concert features the National Symphony Orchestra and performances by some of the country's best known musical artists. And the highlight of the evening is the finale which includes Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture complete with live cannon fire provided by the U.S. Army Presidential Salute Battery. The National Park Service fireworks begin at 9:10 p.m. and finish at 9:30 p.m.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival:
Dates: June 24 – June 28 and July 1 - July 5, 2009
Location: The National Mall
Hours: 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. with concerts, special events and dance parties extending into most evenings.
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is an annual event that celebrates the cultural heritage of our world. The Festival takes place for two weeks every summer overlapping the Fourth of July holiday and draws more than one million visitors to experience the fun.
July 4th Celebration at the National Archives Building:
The National Archives is a perfect place to take the family to listen to the popular dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence. There will also be several family-friendly afternoon events.
