President Trump to address crowds at Washington's July 4 celebration featuring massive fireworks display
Washington DC will host a July 4 event with hourly military flyovers, a record-attempt fireworks show and a speech by President Donald Trump, amid concerns over heat, air quality and political controversy.
Washington DC will host a Fourth of July celebration on Saturday that includes hourly military flyovers from 13:15 local time until sunset, a new Air Force One appearance, and a fireworks display that organizers aim to make the largest ever. The program, called the Salute to America 250 Celebrations & Fireworks, is set to begin at 19:00, with President Donald Trump scheduled to speak around 21:45.
Organizers plan to launch about 850,000 fireworks from ten sites, including eight barges on the Potomac River, in a 40-minute show that would be twice the length of the typical display. The effort seeks a Guinness World Record, surpassing a 2016 event in the Philippines, though National Park Service documents warn the fireworks could create "very unhealthy" air quality in the city centre.
Temperatures are expected to reach roughly 38 °C (100 °F) with high humidity, and forecasts call for possible evening thunderstorms, factors that could affect attendance. Earlier scheduled events have been cancelled due to the heat, and security checkpoints are expected to be extensive.
The event has drawn criticism from some Democrats who say the White House-backed Freedom250 partnership is politicising the anniversary and supplanting the bipartisan America250 commission created by Congress. California Senator Alex Padilla said, > "President Trump couldn't help but try making America's 250th birthday all about himself." Freedom250 dismissed the criticism as a partisan smear.
Other cities will mark the holiday with traditional festivities, including the Times Square ball drop in New York and a concert in Philadelphia featuring performers such as Christina Aguilera and Meek Mill.
