Trump to Attend Washington DC Event with Record Fireworks as Some Parades Cancelled

President Donald Trump will attend an event on the National Mall in Washington DC on Saturday that he described as a "spectacular rally" celebrating America's 250th anniversary. Military flyovers are scheduled every hour from 13:15 local time until sunset, with Trump's new Air Force One participating in one formation.

The Salute to America 250 Celebrations & Fireworks is set to begin at 19:00 local time, with Trump expected to speak at approximately 21:45.

He stated he will deliver a "really long speech" at the Fourth of July festivities "to show that I can do anything". Organizers said approximately 850,000 fireworks will be launched from 10 sites, including eight barges on the Potomac River. The display is scheduled to last 40 minutes, twice the length of the usual Washington DC show that features about 20,000 fireworks, and aims to set a Guinness World Record.

Trump spoke at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota on Friday. In that address he stated that American identity is under threat from domestic "radicals" and "extremists" and warned of a resurgence of "the communist menace" and "newcomers" who embrace ideas opposed to the American way of life.

The National Park Service cancelled its annual Independence Day Parade in Washington DC on Friday due to safety concerns.

Some celebration events were also cancelled in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Colorado. Internal National Park Service documents state the fireworks are likely to cause "very unhealthy" air quality conditions in central Washington DC. The Times Square Ball in New York will drop eight times to mark midnight in every US time zone, and a fireworks display is scheduled there at 21:25 local time.

Philadelphia will host a celebration concert featuring Christina Aguilera and Meek Mill while also hosting its final World Cup game on July 4.