Trump’s July 4 fireworks to start much later and last much longer
Visitors to the National Mall are advised to arrive early but are banned from bringing lawn chairs, coolers, bags, or more than one bottle of water.
The July Fourth fireworks show on the National Mall will start later, last longer, and have far more pyrotechnics than any held previously on Independence Day, according to officials in charge of producing the event.
Typically, the Fourth of July fireworks at the core of the nation’s capital begin a little before 9:30 p.m. and last 17 to 25 minutes. This year, the show won’t begin until after 10:30 p.m. and may not start until 11 p.m., a spokesperson for Freedom 250, the public-private partnership aligned with President Donald Trump that has taken over much of the programming for America’s semiquincentennial, said in an email.
The show is expected to last approximately 40 minutes.
No reason has been publicly provided for why the fireworks will start so late, but Trump has described the event as a “rally” and said he will begin speaking at 9 p.m. The duration of the fireworks is longer — about twice the average length — because of the administration’s goal of setting a record for the world’s largest fireworks display.
Danielle Alvarez, an adviser to Freedom 250, did not specifically address the late time but called the July 4 event a “once-in-a-generation milestone.”
“This isn’t just another Independence Day. It’s America’s 250th,” Alvarez said in a statement. “And history only comes around once.”
The late start, as well as rules prohibiting attendees from bringing coolers, lawn chairs, bags, and more than one bottle of water, drew criticism on social media and elsewhere, particularly because organizers have recommended people arrive early Saturday, when temperatures could surpass 100 degrees.
A Freedom250 spokesperson said there will be four free hydration stations on the Mall.
“We’re closely monitoring conditions and will keep adjusting as needed to make sure everyone stays safe and has a great time,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) urged anyone attending the fireworks show on the Mall to stay hydrated and be cautious.
“The thing to remember, especially with this heat, is that’s a long, long day,” Bowser said at a news conference Monday to discuss safety measures for Independence Day. “I’m expecting … that families with small children are going to decide that the children should watch on TV or watch at a neighborhood event.”
The current record for a single display is about 810,000 fireworks, launched at a New Year’s event in the Philippines in 2016, according to Guinness World Records. That display lasted a little over an hour and took place in a driving rain.
Pyrotecnico, the Pennsylvania-based company putting on this year’s show, plans to set off more than 850,000 fireworks from 10 locations including West Potomac Park, the Reflecting Pool, and barges in the Potomac River, Pyrotecnico CEO Stephen Vitale said in an interview Monday.
Vitale said he hopes the weather will cooperate and that there will be a slight breeze to clear the smoke and keep all of the fireworks visible.
A typical July Fourth fireworks show on the Mall in D.C. features about 20,000 fireworks, Vitale said. While this year’s show is about 10 times bigger than any previous show his company has produced, he hopes viewers will remember the show for more than just setting a record.
“Size always helps, but it’s about the beauty and the memories that people will have for generations,” Vitale said. “Fireworks are magical to people, and we help people walk away believing that’s the best fireworks display that they have seen or ever will see.”