The White House is looking to break the record for the world’s largest fireworks display this summer, when it holds a sweeping celebration in Washington, D.C., marking the country’s 250th birthday.
Freedom 250, the organization President Donald Trump spearheaded to commemorate the milestone, is planning over 30 minutes of pyrotechnics on July 4. The fireworks contractor that Freedom 250 hired for the event confirmed to Axios that it’s looking to break the 2016 record of 810,904 fireworks.
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“We are shooting to break the record,” said Jodi Dague, the director of marketing at Pyrotecnico.
Trump is set to speak at Freedom 250’s landmark July Fourth event. Organizers expect over a million people to gather on the National Mall for the day’s celebrations. The country’s capital city has been promised a grand parade showcasing elaborate floats, stunning costumes, and performances “celebrating the nation’s rich history and diverse culture.” Freedom 250’s 16-day “Great American State Fair,” featuring all 50 states, will also be held on July 4, anchoring the day’s festivities before the fireworks display.
“The schedule includes ceremonies honoring service members, storytelling of everyday heroes, and decade‑spanning musical performances supported by choirs, marching bands, and artists,” Freedom 250’s website reads. “This landmark moment will be a sweeping national showcase of history, talent, and spectacle.”
Officials announced this week that the day in D.C. has been designated a “national special security event” by the Department of Homeland Security, allowing the Secret Service to lead operations.
“Right now, there is no specific credible threat toward any of the events that are out there,” interim Metropolitan Police Department Chief Jeffery Carroll said during a public safety briefing. “But even with that being said, MPD, of course, has taken a heightened posture with our partners.”
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There are a slew of events being planned throughout the year to mark the milestone birthday. In D.C., initiatives include the first-ever UFC fight at the White House on June 14 and a free IndyCar race. The Grand Prix race will take place Aug. 22–23.