This year’s July Fourth National Mall fireworks aren’t scheduled to begin until 10:30 p.m. at the earliest, and visitors will have to go through extensive security screenings to be let into the viewing area. The inconveniences associated with this year’s event have caused some people to look elsewhere for Fourth of July celebrations.
If the triple-digit heat and Trump’s expected “really long” speech is making you rethink your plans, here are some other events in the region:
Annapolis
Annapolis, Maryland, about 35 miles from Washington, D.C., has a ticketed July Fourth festival that runs from 12 to 4 p.m. The tickets provide access to three historic attractions: the William Paca House and Garden, Hogshead Trades Museum, and the Museum of Historic Annapolis.
The festival even features a Revolutionary Trades Showcase where visitors can print revolutionary-era pamphlets and practice colonial-era calligraphy. Guests will also have the opportunity to hear a Frederick Douglass reenactor give an excerpt from his book titled “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” at various scheduled times.
The City of Annapolis will host a downtown Fourth of July parade on West and Main Streets at 6:30 p.m., complete with a marching band and vintage vehicles.
The fireworks show is scheduled to begin at 9:15 p.m. over Spa Creek. Organizers said folding chairs would be allowed.
Fairfax
The city of Fairfax, Virginia, will host an annual Independence Day celebration on July 4. Doors open at 5 p.m., and admission is free. The event’s shuttle bus service begins at 5:30 p.m, from George Mason University-Rappahannock and Woodson High School to Fairfax High School.
Live music starts at 6:30 p.m and food vendors will be present. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. Bags and coolers are subject to inspection.
The fireworks will last from 9:30 to 9:50 p.m. at Fairfax High School, located at 3501 Lion Run.
Fairfax is also home to Mount Vernon, the residence of George Washington. On Saturday, Mount Vernon will host “An American Celebration” from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., complete with historic demonstrations and a naturalization ceremony.
For those who really want to sleep early, the celebration will include daytime fireworks at 1 p.m.
Tickets for “An American Celebration” cost $28 for those over 12 years old and $14 for ages 6 to 11. Admission is free for children under 6 years old.
Anacostia Park
A separate fireworks display concurrent with the July Fourth fireworks on the National Mall will be hosted at Anacostia Park in Washington, D.C.
Hosted by the National Park Service, the show will likely bring far fewer visitors than the onslaught anticipated at the National Mall. However, attendees will enjoy a few more conveniences than National Mall viewers and fewer security protocols.
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Attendees are encouraged to bring essentials like water, food, and sunscreen, though alcohol, coolers, glass bottles, and furniture structures are prohibited.
Entrances to Anacostia Park are pedestrian-only and can be accessed through Marion Barry Avenue Southeast, Nicholson Street Southeast, and the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail.