Washington, D.C

Independence Day Celebrations Around DC (2024)

Published

3 months ago

July 1, 2024

Independence Day Celebrations Around DC (2024)

Fourth of July at the Archives
Where: National Archives | National Mall, DC
When: July 4, 9am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Catch the annual dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence on the steps of the National Archives . It starts at 10am, but doors open at 9am. Get there early to get a good seat and enjoy entertainment by the Experience Band and Show. After that, celebrate like it’s 1776! There will be lots of fun family activities,…meet historic figures, do some arts & crafts, and sign the Declaration of Independence yourself!

America’s Pastime
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: July 4, 11:05am (and July 3)
Admission: Ticket prices vary
A day at the ballpark is about as all-American as it gets when it comes to sports, and you can experience it and celebrate the holiday at Nationals Park. The July 4th game against the Mets is part of the Patriotic Series, when the Nats wear their red, white, and blue. And, FYI, the evening of July 3, and there will be post-game Freedom Fireworks, plus more promos for the rest of the games.

Root for the Baysox (& Firrworks)
Where: Prince George’s Stadium | Bowie, MD
When: July 3, 6:35pm
Admission: Starts at $10
For baseball on a smaller scale, the Bowie Baysox are hosting an Independence Day Celebration at their July 3 game against the Richmond FLying Squirrels. Enjoy the action on the field and fire works afterwards.

National Independence Day Parade
Where: Constitution Avenue NW, 7th-17th Streets | DC
When: July 4, 11:45am
Admission: Free
Many national holidays get a parade in DC, and July 4th is no exception. Scores of spectators always line the Constitution Avenue sidewalks to watch the procession celebrating Independence Day as it make its way from 7th to 17th Street. Marching bands, floats, giant balloons, equestrian groups, drill teams, and military units will be among the pageantry. Stake out your spot along the route early, as this event attracts hundreds of thousands of viewers every year.

4th of July in the District
Where: 13th & Pennsylvania Ave. NW | Downtown DC
When: July 4, 5-10:30pm
Admission: Free
Join Mayor Muriel Bowser for the second annual 4th of July in the District Concert featuring performances by the United States Air Force Band with Gavin Degraw and more acts to follow with live broadcast nationally on CNN. There will also be family friendly activities, food trucks, and more. The concert is free and seating is first come, first serve.

A Capitol Fourth
Where: West Lawn on the Capitol | Capitol Hill, DC
When: July 4, 8pm; gates open at 3pm
Admission: Free
The annual Independence Day concert at the Capitol airs live on PBS, but you can see the musical pageantry in person. Alfonso Rabiro will be hosting this year’s show, which will include performances by Alfonso Ribiero, Sheila E, Smokey Robinson, Darren Criss, Fantasia, the National Symphony Orchestra, the U.S. Army Band, the Joint Armed Forces Chorus, and many more exciting acts. (KFDC Tip: Enjoy the show with less crowds at the dress rehearsal on July 3 – same time and place!)

Fireworks on the Mall
Where: National Mall, DC
When: July 4, 9pm
Admission: Free
The grand finale of the day: Shortly after 9pm, the sky above the National Mall will explode with color when the amazing iconic fireworks display begins. Fireworks will be launched from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool area, but you can find a place on or off the Mall to watch them (see tips below for a list of places to view them).

An American Celebration
Where: Mount Vernon | Mount Vernon, VA
When: July 4, 9am – 5pm
Admission: $26/adult, $13/age 6-11, free/5 & under
The home of George Washington salutes the first commander-in-chief with a dazzling display of made-for-daytime fireworks during its annual Independence Day event. Visitors will be treated to spectacular smoke fireworks in patriotic colors fired over the Potomac River. The event also includes an inspirational naturalization ceremony for new citizens, military reenactments, a special wreathlaying ceremony, a performance by the National concert band and more live entertainment, and a chance to meet General Washington himself. See the full schedule of events here and read more about Mount Vernon here.

Family Day: Summer Party
Where: Capitol Jewish Museum | Downtown DC
When: July 4, 9:30am – 1pm
Admission: Free
The museum invites you to join them before the fireworks for specialty crafts, music, food, and fun. Learn about Jewish Revolutionary War history from friends at National Museum of American Jewish Military History. Connect and celebrate a tradition for your home with mezuzah activities. They’ll also have themed crafts and activities and classic outdoor games and music on the newly opened 3rd floor terrace. Plus, build a goodie bag to enjoy during the fireworks!

Fourth at the Wharf
Where: The District Wharf | Southwest DC
When: July 4, 5-10pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy the Fourth of July at The Wharf with a free celebration on District Pier. The celebration includes music, a bar for adults, and spectacular views of the annual fireworks launched from the National Mall. They also offer a VIP fireworks viewing experience benefitting the USO that gives you exclusive access to the Dockmaster Building on the tip of District Pie, complete with two complimentary drink tickets (additional beverages for purchase), all-American light fare, DJ, games, photo station, and a raffle. Read more about The Wharf in this KFDC post.

Neighborhood Parades & Celebrations
Where: Throughout the DMV
When: Most on July 4, times vary
Admission: Free
Keep it close to home at a community celebration. You likely are aware of July 4th events taking place in your neighborhood or nearby, but if you’re still looking for a hyperlocal fête, here are some that are known to be good ones: Capitol Hill (we can vouch it’s great from many years attending), Palisades, Takoma Park, College Park, Great Falls, McLean.

July 4th Celebration
Where: Armed Forces Retirement Home | Petworth, DC
When: July 4, 4-9:30pm
Admission: Free
All are welcome to join the 10th annual July 4th Celebration at the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Enjoy live entertainment, bouncy fun, a kids’ scooter parade and contest, activities for all ages, and views of the evening fireworks on the National Mall. Concessions will also be for sale and plentiful.

4th of July Picnic
Where: Greenbelt Baptist Church | Greenbelt, MD
When: July 4, 4-7pm
Admission: Free
All are invited to join the Greenbelt Baptist Church for their annual 4th of July celebration. There will be food, games, music face painting, moon bouncing, and more. Stop by on the way to Buddy Attik lake where there will be fireworks in the evening.

Great Meadow Independence Day Celebration
Where: Great Meadow | The Plains, VA
When: July 4, 5pm
Admission: $50/car
Great Meadow, a 74-acre park and home of the Virginia Gold Cup races, is bringing back its famous fireworks show and activities for the 34th year a couple of days ahead of the 4th. Join for family games like cornhole toss, sack races, face painting, tug-of war, and more. Bring a picnic or purchase food on site — there will be food trucks and a beer garden. A spectacular fireworks display gets underway at dusk. BYO blankets and chairs for comfortable viewing (no umbrellas or tents, unless in reserved tailgate spaces.)

July 4th Fest
Where: Six Flags | Bowie, MD
When: July 4-6
Admission: Starts at $35
With amusement park fun thrown into the mix, Six Flags’ celebration will be pretty epic for kids. Along with all of the ongoing fun throughout the venue, there will also be fireworks, music, and lots of Coca Cola (sponsors of the event) on Independence Day and two days leading up to the holiday.

More July 4th Tips!
* Find off-the-Mall suggestions for viewing the fireworks.
* If you’re headed into DC, take public transportation! Cannot stress enough what a bad idea it would be to drive.
* Eater DC has a round-up of restaurants celebrating July 4th.
* For more activities during the long weekend following the 4th, see the KFDC Summer Guide.

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Washington, D.C

District Dogs agrees to pay DC $100,000 and improve safety measures following deadly flood – WTOP News

Published

2 hours ago

October 1, 2024

Press Room

District Dogs agrees to pay DC 0,000 and improve safety measures following deadly flood – WTOP News

District Dogs will pay $100,000 to D.C. and make improvements to safety and emergency response, after a 2023 flood left 10 dogs dead.

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District Dogs agrees to pay DC $100,000 and improve safety measures following deadly flood

District Dogs will pay $100,000 to D.C. and make improvements to safety and emergency response, after a 2023 flood left 10 dogs dead.

Under a settlement reached with D.C.’s Office of the Attorney General, District Dogs must keep the store at 680 Rhode Island Avenue in Northeast permanently closed. That location flooded three times in 2022 — before the 2023 flood.

In an August 2023 interview with NBC Washington, District Dogs owner Jacob Hensley said that location was “officially closed. Forever.”

In the settlement, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb said District Dogs misled customers about the safety of their dogs and “downplayed the flooding and mentioned specific measures that District Dogs was taking to prevent future flooding issues, representing to Consumers that dogs would be safe in District Dogs’ care.”

D.C. alleged District Dogs misrepresented that each dog in its care would enjoy a safe and healthy experience, told customers flood prevention measures were sufficient to keep dogs safe, and failed to implement adequate training, emergency and evacuation procedures.

The settlement said “District Dogs denies all of OAG’s allegations and claims, including that it has violated any consumer protection laws.”

In a statement provided to WTOP, a spokesperson for District Dogs said: “To bring this matter to an end, and to avoid the continued financial strain on our small business from an unnecessarily prolonged process, we agreed to settle this matter with one important condition – that the Attorney General’s Office agree as part of the settlement that there is no admission of wrongdoing by District Dogs whatsoever.”

On Aug. 14, 2023, 10 dogs died inside the pet day care and grooming facility following a torrential downpour. Water rose nearly six feet in the span of a few minutes, to the middle of doors on District Dogs, before one of the walls gave out, according to D.C. Fire and EMS supervisors on the scene.

As part of the settlement, District Dogs will be required to obtain risk management certification for its locations, to include emergency response and evacuations specific to each facility.

Some of the procedures include designating evacuation route assignments, rescue and medical duties, a clear checklist of sequential steps, as well as a system to account for each dog on site during emergencies. In addition, an alarm system would notify employees of an emergency situation.

Separately, in May 2024, eight families whose dogs drowned at the District Dogs filed a negligence suit against Hensley.

According to the suit, filed in D.C. Superior Court, the dogs’ deaths were foreseeable and preventable, since the District Dogs location at 680 Rhode Island Avenue in Northeast had flooded repeatedly, including almost exactly one year before the 2023 flood.

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Washington, D.C

Union fights for DC Circulator staff as system phase out begins Tuesday

Published

10 hours ago

October 1, 2024

Press Room

Union fights for DC Circulator staff as system phase out begins Tuesday

WASHINGTON (7News) — We’ve known that the DC Circulator buses in the District will be gone by the end of the year, but starting Tuesday, 90 bus employees will be laid off.

This is part of the city’s phase-out process to a bus system that has been around for two decades.

Since 2005, it has had an attractive, popular bus system. The DC Circulator bus system had 1.9 million riders last year and nearly 300 employees. About 78 Circulator employees have landed jobs with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), however, they will lose their seniority, and start at lower wages and different shifts.

Union reps have criticized transportation officials over the treatment of the circulator workforce.

READ MORE | Transit workers rally against DC Circulator shutdown, calls for Metro to take over

Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689, one of the unions that represents the workers says it will continue to fight to retain current pay rates. It claims circulator employees had five-year contracts, and job security through 2028. But the mayor abruptly cut Circulator funding from this year’s budget.

Both sides spoke at a recent council transportation committee hearing.

“This has been bungled from the start DDOT never reached out to have any conversations with us, and the mayor’s office appears to have lost my number. However, to address the DDOT director and the mayor directly, let me be clear, we did not want to be here today,” said Matthew Girardi, Political & Communications Director for ATU Local 689.

”Behind me sit anxious parents, brothers, sisters, daughters and sons who have only wanted to do their jobs to the best of their abilities and to provide decent lives to their families. Currently, because there is no plan, the median DC Circulator employee is slated to lose by our estimate $76,062,” Girardi added.

READ MORE | Metro wants to fill gap from impacted DC Circulator routes, extend overnight service

Starting today, Oct. 1, routes will also begin to see changes. ‘

Service to Rosslyn-Dupont Circle will end, altering bus arrival times everywhere else to every 20 minutes instead of every 10 minutes. Late-night service on the Woodley Park-Adams Morgan and Georgetown-Union Station routes are also ending.

”DDOT and WMATA have worked to leverage Metro bus’ extensive network to provide continued bus access for Circulator customers, enhance service to key destinations,” said Sharon Kershbaum, Director of the District Department of Transportation.

“Upon the termination of the Circulator service on December 31, WMATA will provide expanded and supplemental bus service on key alternative routes to address the gaps from the legacy Circulator routes,” Kershbaum said.

For the Rosslyn-Dupont Circle route, D.C. bus route 38-B will now provide extended service between Rosslyn and Farragut Square during peak weekend hours. Metro bus routes 31 and 33 will be merged into a single route along H and I streets Northwest to Union Station.

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Washington, D.C

Infant’s death ruled a homicide in DC, police seek answers

Published

18 hours ago

September 30, 2024

Press Room

Infant’s death ruled a homicide in DC, police seek answers

DC police investigating death of 1-year-old as homicide

D.C. police are investigating the death of a 1-year-old over the weekend as a homicide. FOX 5’s David Kaplan has the latest details from police.

WASHINGTON – D.C. police are investigating the death of a 1-year-old over the weekend as a homicide.

Police identified the victim as Journee Moore, who lives in Upper Marlboro.

Around 10:45 Saturday night, police got a call about a child in cardiac arrest inside an apartment building at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Rodman Street in Northwest D.C.

Moore was taken to Children’s National Hospital where she later died.

Sunday, the Medical Examiner’s Office did an autopsy and discovered Moore had multiple blunt force trauma injuries, and have determined her death was a homicide.

“That’s crazy. A 1-year-old, I just can’t get over the fact that it’s a 1-year-old. The baby is 1. Who would want to do something like that to a child?” said Lisha Quarles, who is a caretaker for a man who lives inside the apartment.

“I can’t even think about it. It’s too sad,” said Yana Vierboon, who lives in the neighborhood.

FOX 5 has learned the incident appears to be domestic in nature.

No charges have been filed at this time nor have any suspects been named.

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