"Spectacular" rally to be followed by a show aiming for a world record, with 851,000 shells over 40 minutes.
President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a rally on the National Mall on July 4 at 7 p.m. ET, according to event organizers and administration officials. The event is part of the "Freedom 250" celebration marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Event Details
The rally will be followed by a large fireworks display. Organizers plan to launch approximately 850,000 to 851,000 fireworks over about 40 minutes. The display will use shells up to 10 inches in diameter and will be launched from multiple sites, including eight barges on the Potomac River, West Potomac Park, and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The show, which will feature patriotic themes and pop music, is scheduled to begin at approximately 10:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET. The cost of the fireworks display has not been publicly disclosed.
Official Statements
President Trump described the event as a "spectacular" rally and stated the fireworks show would be the largest in history.
Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed that the fireworks display is expected to start around 11 p.m. and suggested that families with young children might watch on television.
The fireworks are intended to set a Guinness World Record for the largest display. Pyrotecnico, the fireworks company contracted for the event, will fire approximately 851,000 shells. This number significantly exceeds the typical volume of fireworks used in a major display, such as the Macy's show which uses 60,000 to 85,000 shells.
Preparations and Logistics
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which recently underwent renovations, has been fenced off in preparation for the event.
Several scheduled musical performers withdrew from the event, citing concerns that the rally had become political.