Despite a week of rainy weather, the streets of Washington DC are becoming a little more crowded as tourists descend on the nation’s capitol for the Fourth of July weekend. With many locals leaving town for the beach, visitors are being greeted with patriotic displays in shopping windows and streets adjourned with stars and stripes in all shapes and sizes.
With the weather expecting to clear, there is great anticipation for a holiday spectacle. There is much to do in Washington, DC this week but the place to be tomorrow, is the National Mall. The celebration of America’s independence kicks off with a parade along Constitution Avenue. Following the parade, individuals can enjoy a stroll through the Smithsonian’s Annual Folklife Festival. This year the festival is featuring three programs, including Hungarian Heritage, One, World, Many Voices: Endangered Languages and Cultural Heritage and the Will to Adorn: African American Diversity, Style and Identity.
For those craving something sweet, head over the National Archives, to celebrate the nation’s birthday, just make sure someone is saving your seat at the mall as thousands of people begin to trickle onto the lawns. The National Symphony Orchestra and well known artists will perform a concert at 8 PM in the west lawn of the Capitol followed by a dazzling display of fireworks. For locals and those in the know, the place to watch the fireworks is from one of many office buildings and restaurant rooftop terraces.
Wherever you are spending your holiday the Office of Federal Relations wishes you a safe and happy Fourth of July.