Capitol Police Gearing Up for ‘A Capitol Fourth’

WASHINGTON — It’s time to celebrate the birth of America again and the U.S. Capitol Police are getting ahead of the game by releasing important party-related information.

Next Friday, July 4, “A Capitol Fourth” — America’s national Independence Day celebration — will be broadcast live from the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on public television stations from coast to coast.

The broadcast, which begins at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, will also be streamed online.

In addition to the concert itself, there will also be a dress rehearsal on Thursday, July 3. 

Both events are free and open to the public. On July 3 and July 4, public access to the West Front opens at 3:00 p.m.

As always, there are a few things of which attendees, visitors and people just passing through the neighborhood should be aware.

First, as the past few weeks have demonstrated, severe weather can pop up any time.

The Capitol Police and concert staff will be closely monitoring the weather ahead of and during both concerts. 

Any changes in schedule due to severe weather will be announced to the public via the USCP’s official social media sites and through the local media. 

Everyone attending the events on the West Front of the Capitol will be required to go through security screening before entering the area. This will include a search of all bags, coolers, backpacks and closed containers. 

For this event, food items and beach/camp chairs that sit low to the ground are allowed. Temperatures are expected to exceed 80 degrees. All guests should plan to bring an ample supply of water to ensure a safe Fourth of July.

The following items are prohibited:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Glass bottles
• Animals (other than service animals)
• Bicycles and motorized scooters of any kind (devices required for accessibility [ADA] will be accommodated)
• Firearms and ammunitions (either real or simulated)
• Explosives of any kind, including fireworks
• Knives, blades or sharp objects of any length
• Laser pointers, signs, posters
• Mace, pepper spray
• Sticks, poles
• Electric stun guns
• Martial arts weapons or devices
• Umbrellas larger than 36” in diameter (umbrellas smaller than 36” will be allowed)
• Pocket or hand tools such as a “Leatherman”
• Sealed packages, large boxes, duffle bags, suitcases
• Drones, model rockets, remote or manually controlled model gliders, model airplanes or unmanned aircrafts, model boats and/or cars, and other unmanned ground or aircraft systems
• Other items may also be prohibited at the discretion of the security screeners

Road Closures, Parking Restrictions, & Tour Bus Relocation

Tuesday, July 1, at 8:00 p.m. – Saturday, July 5, at 4:00 a.m.

Road Closures & Parking Restrictions

First Street between Constitution Avenue, NW, and Independence Avenue, SW

Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd Street, NW, and First Street, NW

Maryland Avenue between 3rd Street, SW, and First Street, SW

Tour Bus Relocation

Tour buses will be rerouted to Union Station

Thursday, July 3, and Friday, July 4, between 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

ADA Parking

Both sides of Louisiana Avenue between Constitution Avenue, NW, and First Street, NW

Both sides of First Street between Constitution Avenue, NW, and Louisiana Avenue, NW

All road closures are expected to end by Saturday, July 5, at 4:00 a.m.

NOTE: First Street between Peace Circle, NW, and Garfield Circle, SW, will have one lane of traffic in each direction during equipment assembly and disassembly. Brief traffic disruptions may occur a few days before (June 20 – July 1) and after (July 5-8) the full road closures.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue