A festive Fourth of July in the nation’s capital, even as politics loom

Those who came felt the division. The despair. But if there was any day to set it aside, this, the country’s 248th birthday, was it.

“This year, when our country is so divided, it’s especially important to be at an event where everyone celebrates patriotism together,” said 61-year-old James Shinkle, who came to watch a historical reenactment performed on the steps of the National Archive. “Not divided. Together.”

Americans on Thursday fanned across the D.C. region — gawking at parade performers, walking through museums and joining historical tours. Crowds camped on the National Mall awaiting the evening’s fireworks were first met with a drenching, as rain soaked the Washington region shortly after 5 p.m. Locals and tourists huddled beneath trees, umbrellas and even makeshift tents made of picnic blankets, hopeful that the storm would dissipate before showtime. A city-run concert in Freedom Plaza was delayed, but as of 6 p.m., the fireworks had not yet been postponed.

“Thank you for your patience while we wait for the thunderstorm to pass,” the U.S. Capitol Police tweeted.

The downpour was yet another slight hiccup for the holiday, following an overnight boil-water advisory that officials scrambled to resolve in the early morning hours. Then came a runaway horse that jolted a usually “slow-going” parade in Takoma Park, Md.

“I think people didn’t realize what they saw until the horse went by,” said Marilyn Sklar, who had come to the parade with her 21-year-old daughter and their dog, and was taking video of a group called the Washington Revels when the horse interrupted her shot.

The animal was chased by police before getting caught at Elm and Sycamore avenues — having traveled a total of about 1.2 miles across the neighborhood, according to members of the Takoma Park Facebook group. Takoma Park police said the horse, which was part of the parade procession, unexpectedly began running in the opposite direction of the route and grazed one person, though they were not injured. The situation was “promptly managed by the skilled handler on Elm Avenue,” police said.

In downtown D.C., hundreds lined Constitution Avenue NW in front of the National Archives, occupying prime real estate for the parade. The Kalski family arrived at 8:30 a.m. to stake out the same spot they claimed last year. Aware that their early arrival time means spending five hours outside with sons Parker, 8, and Graham, 9, Amanda and Brandon Kalski came prepared with packed lunch, electric fans, bottled water and, of course, a bag full of card games.

As the family settled in to play a game of Charades for Kids, Parker and Graham hoped the horses they saw during the historical reenactment last year would be back.

“Are you ready to shout ‘huzzah’?” Brandon asked Parker.

The crowd’s cheers became more subdued as the midafternoon sun beat down. Many wore the American flag sunglasses and hats vendors hawked at each corner, having resigned themselves to the inflated holiday prices in their search for a way to mitigate the heat.

The Karayacobian family had a different plan. The Californians spotted a fire hydrant spewing water. In seconds, Charlotte, 8, and her two brothers were running through the spray.

“We loved the parade but we were so hot,” Charlotte said. “I’m not really hot at all anymore.”

While the mood in the nation’s capital was celebratory, it was difficult to ignore the country’s fraught political climate. It weighed on the minds of John Han, 56, and Mindy Han, 55, as they made their way around the historic grounds at Mount Vernon.

When viewing the welcome video for the George Washington mansion tour, Mindy said it was “inspirational” to hear how George Washington “unified the country,” adding that she would “love to see that happen in today’s world if possible.”

Adele White, 62, and Howard White, 63, who visited Mount Vernon while on vacation from California, said they were “absolutely” thinking about politics as they caught the end of a military drill. And they were concerned for the state of the country.

“There is no unity; everything should be improved,” Adele said.

The pair said they had learned a lot from their day reading about history, and they thought others might as well.

“I think the candidates should take tours and read some of the words from our forefathers,” Howard quipped.

At the National Archives, Greg and Anna Murks of Houston considered a different president’s vision for the country as they approached an actor dressed as Thomas Jefferson.

“This is a phone,” Anna Murks joked to the actor. She held up the futuristic device to take a selfie.

The couple made the trip to D.C. in part to fulfill history buff Greg’s bucket list item of celebrating the nation’s birthday in the capital. They made their way toward the rotunda to view the Declaration of Independence; the line wrapped around the room and bled out into the hallway.

The Murks decided to take the trip to D.C. now because they said they feared some of the values embodied in the Declaration of Independence are slipping away.

“When I went to the Lincoln Memorial and I looked up at President Lincoln, I had tears in my eyes because I was asking for his help,” Greg said.

Greg said that more and more people are conflating patriotism with partisan support. In the current political climate, Greg said he feared “patriotism is being co-opted” by partisan interests.

“I’m here to reclaim the definition of patriotism,” Anna replied.

Alisa Tang contributed to this report.