Washington cancels Independence Day parade amid extreme heat warning
The National Independence Day Parade in Washington was called off due to an extreme heat warning, while the evening fireworks display will still take place.
Organizers announced late Friday that the National Independence Day Parade, scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. EST on Saturday, has been canceled because of an extreme heat warning for the Washington, D.C., area. Todd Marcocci, president of Under The Sun Productions, said the decision was made after consulting the National Park Service, the D.C. city government and Freedom 250, and that safety for participants, spectators and staff was the top priority.
The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning effective from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET Saturday, projecting heat-index values between 110°F and 115°F and warning of a significant rise in heat-related illnesses. The agency also noted that high humidity and overnight lows in the 70s-80s would provide little relief, and that prolonged heat could affect power, water and transportation systems. A Code Purple air-quality alert, indicating “very unhealthy” conditions, is also in effect.
Washington recorded its hottest day in decades on Friday, with Reagan National Airport reaching 102°F, surpassing a record set in 1966. Saturday temperatures are expected to match or exceed that figure, potentially making it the hottest Fourth of July on record for the city.
The cancellation affects participants who traveled for the event, including an 80-member marching band from Grand Island Senior High in Nebraska, which will no longer perform. Other local celebrations have already been disrupted: the Great American State Fair on the National Mall closed for several hours on Friday, and entry to the “A Capitol Fourth” concert was delayed.
Heat-related cancellations have spread to other states. Parades and fireworks in Philadelphia, Colorado, New Jersey, Virginia and Maryland were called off, and several communities canceled fireworks displays due to wildfire risk.
The National Weather Service estimates that about 120 million people across the eastern and southern United States face major or extreme heat risk on Saturday.
Despite the parade’s cancellation, the scheduled fireworks display on the Washington Mall will proceed at 10:30 p.m., following a presidential speech.
"This decision was made after extensive and careful consideration of the safety of our participants, spectators, and staff as the top priority," Marcocci said.
