Fourth of July Celebrations, Fireworks in DC and Northern Virginia

by Mary Ann Barton

The big enchilada of fireworks shows along the National Mall — all 17 minutes of it — begins at 9:10 p.m. on July 4th when the fireworks are shot from an area near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. 

The National Park Service offers a list of best places to view the show and tips for planning your day. The evening begins will a full program of performers and can also be viewed live at home on your PBS station. The list of performers for this year's A Capitol Fourth show includes Barry Manilow and country singer Scott McCreery.

Here's information on the Fourth of July celebrations across Northern Virginia and DC: 

• Palisades Fourth of July Parade: The 47th Annual July 4th Parade and Picnic in the Palisades kicks off at 11 a.m. Thursday. Let us know how many mayoral candidates show up this year!
• Smithsonian Folklife Festival: The 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival takes over the National Mall July 3 through 7 to celebrate cultures, both American and international. This year's themes are Hungarian Heritage, One World, Many Voices and The Will to Adorn. Read more here.
  
• Mount Vernon, the home of President George Washington, holds daytime fireworks made from colored smoke fired over the Potomac River at its daylong (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Fourth of July event, "An American Celebration." More information is available here.

• Arlington County celebrates the Fourth of July with a free fete featuring The Verve Pipe, who will headline a day (from 3 to 10 p.m.) of festive doings at Long Bridge Park in Crystal City. Other local bands will also perform, including Jeff From Accounting, a popular local cover band. The celebration includes a variety of dishes from local food trucks, drop-in kickball by Kickball365, an arts and crafts market, games and a great view of the DC fireworks. For more information, visit the county page about this event.