Washington July Fourth parade canceled as extreme heat grips capital

Washington’s National Independence Day Parade was canceled hours before it was set to begin Saturday, as an extreme heat warning threatened to push heat index values in the capital as high as 115 degrees during the country’s 250th birthday celebrations.

The parade, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and hosted by the National Park Service, was called off late Friday after organizers consulted with the National Park Service, the D.C. government and Freedom 250, the nonprofit overseeing anniversary events.

“This decision was made after extensive and careful consideration of the safety of our participants, spectators, and staff as the top priority,” said Todd Marcocci, president of Under The Sun Productions, which was overseeing the parade.

The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning for the Washington area from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, saying heat index values — a measure combining temperature and humidity — were expected to reach 110 to 115 degrees. The agency warned that “heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events.”

Forecasters said high humidity and morning low temperatures in the 70s and 80s would leave “little to no overnight relief.” The weather service also warned that “prolonged excessive heat may impact power, water, and transportation systems.” A Code Purple air quality alert, indicating “very unhealthy” air, was also in effect for D.C. on Saturday.

The cancellation followed Washington’s hottest day in decades. Reagan National Airport reached 102 degrees Friday afternoon, breaking the date’s previous record of 101 degrees, set in 1966. Temperatures Saturday were forecast to approach or match that mark, which NPR reported would make it the hottest July Fourth on record for the city.

The late decision affected parade participants who had traveled for the event, including 80 students in the Grand Island Senior High marching band from Nebraska, who had been scheduled to perform. Their school district confirmed to a local television station Friday night that the band would no longer participate.

Other Independence Day events in Washington were also disrupted. The Great American State Fair on the National Mall closed for several hours Friday afternoon before reopening at 5 p.m. The Guardian reported that 44 visitors were treated for heat-related illnesses, citing the capital’s NBC affiliate, which said 11 people were taken to hospitals and seven cases were considered serious. Freedom 250 said it would delay the fair’s opening Saturday.

“With warm temperatures expected, guests are encouraged to stay hydrated, wear lightweight clothing, apply sunscreen, take breaks in the shade, utilize cooling areas, and look out for family and friends,” the organizing committee wrote Friday on social media.

U.S. Capitol Police also confirmed that entry to Friday night’s “A Capitol Fourth” concert was delayed.

The heat disrupted celebrations beyond Washington. In Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, a Friday Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade was canceled, and a Saturday fireworks show was postponed until midnight. Haddon Township, New Jersey, canceled its Independence Day parade because of predicted “oppressive heat and humidity.” Parades in Leesburg and Fairfax, Virginia, and in Takoma Park and Laurel, Maryland, were also canceled because of the heat. In Colorado, communities including Durango and Vale canceled fireworks displays because of wildfire risk.

About 120 million Americans across parts of the eastern and southern United States faced some form of major or extreme heat risk Saturday, according to the National Weather Service’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Washington’s fireworks display remains scheduled for 10:30 p.m. from the Washington Monument grounds. The White House has billed it as the largest in U.S. history. President Donald Trump is expected to speak beforehand and said his remarks would be “really long.” The National Weather Service also warned of possible severe thunderstorms into the afternoon and evening, with “destructive wind gusts up to 70 to 80 mph.”