Most Fourth of July activities will resume in the District after falling victim to COVID-19 in 2020.
Mayor Muriel Bowser has made it clear she wants visitors to come back to the nation’s capital to celebrate Independence Day.
“D.C. is open and ready to welcome back visitors to celebrate the way we came together as a city and as a nation this year,” the mayor said on June 16. “We have shown once again that when we come together, there is nothing we can’t do.”
Bowser’s call for visitors for July 4 came after she lifted coronavirus restrictions and fully relaxed public health restrictions on gatherings on June 11. The mayor acted in concert with President Biden, who has also encouraged live July 4 events to mark the nation’s return to its routine after 16 months of coronavirus pandemic disruptions.
The mayor said the traditional Fourth of July fireworks will occur on the National Mall. Bowser didn’t support President Trump’s fireworks display last year because the pandemic still raged in the District and District officials didn’t receive any consultation from the White House on the matter.
While the fireworks will commence, the National Fourth of July parade which happens along Constitution Avenue in Northwest has been postponed this year.
“After much thought and consideration, the National Park Service and Diversified Events have canceled this year’s National Independence Day Parade due to logistics and planning limitations,” the event’s website said. “The marching units that travel from across the country to participate in the parade have not had the necessary eight to 10 months to organize, rehearse and fundraise before making the trip, and most are still unable to travel due to COVID-19 restrictions. We are unable to stage a successful event without the excitement and sound provided by these high school bands, drill teams and other youth organizations. We share everyone’s disappointment in this decision and look forward to presenting this red, white and blue celebration of America’s birthday again on July 4, 2022.”
Biden announced last month he will host essential workers and military families on the South Lawn of the White House for an Independence Day celebration.
While the national parade has been suspended, the two local parades — The 19th annual Capitol Hill Community Fourth of July Parade in the Barracks Row neighborhood in Ward 6 and the Palisades Citizens Association 55th annual parade in Ward 3 — will proceed.
The Capitol Hill parade will start at Eighth and I streets in Southeast at 10 a.m. and is to follow Eighth Street north to the Eastern Market Metro Plaza.
The Palisades Parade will start at noon at the intersection of Whitehaven Parkway and MacArthur Boulevard NW and follow MacArthur north to the Palisades Palisades Recreation Center. where a community picnic is to occur
