Preparations underway for July 4th fireworks on National Mall

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) — A July 4th tradition continues in the nation’s capital, as the National Park Service (NPS) prepares for the annual fireworks display on the National Mall.

According to an NPS spokesperson, the fireworks show begins at 9:09 p.m. on Thursday and lasts 17 and a half minutes. A Capitol Fourth concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, and the National Independence Day Parade along Constitution Avenue NW between 7th & 17th Streets precede the fireworks.

There are several road closures, detailed here , and other areas to watch the fireworks, as we’ve reported here .

Mike Litterst of NPS said they are expecting hundreds of thousands of fireworks viewers on Thursday, and urges patience, hydration and public transportation.

“There is no better place in America to be than right here watching fireworks on July 4th,” he said.

Metro is offering free rides after 5 p.m. on the Fourth, and Litterst said riders could take the train to nearby stations including L’Enfant Plaza, Federal Triangle or Foggy Bottom/GW instead of the closest station, Smithsonian National Mall, which “will be the most crowded for the day.”

This website from NPS details prohibited items – which include guns and drones – as well as closures and maps to help visitors.

Nine-year-old Maxine and her 8-year-old brother Otto are visiting from Minnesota with their parents and are excited to see the fireworks.

“I really want to see the fireworks,” Maxine said, sharing expectations of the D.C. show being the best she’s ever seen.

“It’s pretty sweet, we’re really excited,” Maxine Arntzen, Maxine and Otto’s mom, said.

Others to come to the National Mall include Manuel Heart and members of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe from Southwest Colorado. Heart said he is with several students for an educational trip, which includes museums. But they will certainly celebrate with a fireworks show on the 4th.

He described the experience as “very unique.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.