Celebrate Independence Day In Nation's Capital
| Stacey Lustig, DC Scene Intern Every July 4, hundreds of thousands of Americans flock to the nation’s capitol to honor the country’s heritage and watch a patriotic fireworks display. However, the fireworks on the National Mall are hardly the only event going on in Washington, D.C., on Friday July 4. |  |
 Fireworks It is becoming more common for people to migrate away from the crowded confines of the National Mall for a more scenic environment to watch the fireworks extravaganza.However, if you do plan on attending the fireworks event on the Mall, public access begins at 10 a.m. The fireworks don’t start until about 9:15 p.m. but make sure you give yourself plenty of time to either find a parking spot, which could take hours, or a nice plot of land to claim for the day, as copious amounts of people flow onto the Mall early in the day to set up shop.Capitol Fourth 2008 Concert If you don’t plan on going down to the Tidal Basin to watch the fireworks, there is always America’s biggest and best-loved birthday party, “A Capitol Fourth 2008” concert, which takes place on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol.This event features the National Symphony Orchestra and will be hosted by Broadway, film and television actor Jimmy Smits. The event will also feature performances by Huey Lewis and The News, 2006 American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, Jerry Lee Lewis, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Harolyn Blackwell and Hayley Westenra.This event will begin at 8 p.m., and the Capitol grounds open to the public at 5 p.m.Parade Also on July 4 is the Independence Day Parade and concert. At 11:45 a.m. the parade starts on Constitution Avenue and will move from Seventh Street to 17th Street in Northwest. The parade consists of invited bands, military and specialty units, floats, and VIPs, and is a patriotic; flag-waving; red, white and blue celebration of America's birthday. The parade is co-hosted by the National Park Service and produced by Diversified EventsFolklife Festival Another classic event taking place is the 41st annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival, which will be set up between Seventh and 14th streets in Northwest. This event will go from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is opening on the National Mall featuring three wildly different cultures -- Texas, NASA and the isolated Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. The Smithsonian Metro stop will be closed the entire day on July 4, so make sure to get off at the Capitol South or Federal Center SW exits (Orange/Blue line) or Union Station (Red line).For those who already have plans during the day and don’t feel like dealing with the masses on the National Mall, there are a couple of very good places to go to view the fireworks display.Where To Watch The Fireworks A spot that is becoming more and more popular for people to view the fireworks display is down on the waterfront in Northwest, right near Sequoia restaurant on K Street. You can stroll down there about 8 p.m. and pick out a prime viewing location. The slight problem is there are very few places to sit, so leaning up against the guardrail above the Potomac River is your best bet.Another fantastic place to view the extravaganza is across the Virginia Street Bridge, near National Airport. Park your car in the gravel parking lot and grab a seat on the roof of your car, as you get a full view of the display from the other side of the river. Downsides include noise made from incoming flights landing on the runway less than a quarter of a mile away.There is always a good view from the hilltop at the St. Albans School for Boys located right next to the National Cathedral if you don’t feel like traveling all the way into downtown D.C. Find your way to senior circle, located right near the large stone cross on the green, and you will find a perfect locale for watching a beautiful display of pyrotechnics with usually a minimal number of other people.DC101 Bash On Tuesday, July 1, make sure to head to The Front Page in DuPont Circle from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for your chance to win a key to a brand new Custom Hardcore Chopper. The winning key will be announced at Elliot In The Morning's 4th of July Party taking place at 12 p.m. on July 4 at Sequoia on the Georgetown Waterfront. Free live music will be provided by DC 101 featuring the band Everyone But Pete.Pub Crawl For those of you who want to ring in your independence a day early (Thursday night style), you’re in luck! Lindy Promotions and Miller Light are sponsoring their 9th Annual Midtown Liberty Bar Tour. The craziness begins at Mackey’s (18th & L, Farragut North) with registration between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tickets cost $10 with two cans of food or $13 without. Proceeds benefit the Manna Food Center. Enjoy Miller Light and food specials all night long at multiple D.C. hotspots including The Front Page and Madhatter. For discounted tickets make sure to check out www.lindypromo.com.No matter where you go, or what you do, you are sure to find something entertaining to do this Independence Day, pending good weather, of course. >>MORE D.C. AREA INDEPENDENCE DAY EVENTS |
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