WASHINGTON, D.C.- Excitement looms around American University’s campus as students and faculty prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July in Washington, D.C., some for the first time.
While living in the nation’s capital this summer, many students are trying to take advantage of the activities that the city has to offer for the Fourth of July, including seeing the 17-minute fireworks display on the National Mall.
“I am thinking about going to the Mall and hangout,” AU junior Olivia Hoppe said. “I am going with friends, whoever is still in D.C.”
Every year, the National Park Service holds a celebration of Independence Day at the National Mall. According to the National Park Service website, the events this year include the Folklife Festival, a concert by the U.S. Navy Band, a Fourth of July parade, as well as one of the largest firework displays in the country.
With the installation of 18,000 feet of chain link fence, 14,000 feet of bike rack, and almost 350 portable toilets throughout the Mall, according to the NPS website, large crowds are expected to participate in the festivities this year.
But that massive crowd won’t include Mike Ridley, a 34-year-old AU employee.
Ridley, who works for Fire and Life Safety, is looking forward to a more simple celebration.
“There is going to be a big cook out, kegs, beer, and fireworks,” Ridley said. “I am going to be spending it with friends and family.”
Although Independence Day was originally created to celebrate the 13 colonies declaring their independence from England, people from other countries, such as a 34-year-old native from Ghana, still take part in this Fourth of July holiday.
“I am going to have fun and am going out with friends,” said Festus Allotey, an AU library staff member. “I am worried about traffic. You have to time what time you want to leave.”
While Allotey originally migrated from Ghana, he still has family around the D.C. area he visits around the Fourth of July.
While working on a project for a summer leadership program, 17-year-old Kristine Luna described her hometown traditions.
In her hometown of McAllen, Texas, local businesses and organizations help the city in running a community parade, with activities including video games and dancing, which Luna has previously participated in with her summer dance camp. Everyone at the parade then goes to the town high school to watch the fireworks display.
Luna is currently a student at the National Student Leadership Conference for Journalism, Film, and Media Arts, a program focused on the development of leadership and individual interests in the field of communication of high school students from all over the country.
For Brenda Vega, a 16-year-old from Los Angeles in Washington, D.C. for the NSLC program, this is her first time in the city celebrating Independence Day.
“I am looking forward to the fireworks because I usually watch them on T.V.,” Vega said. “But now I get to experience them up close and everybody feels the same emotion as they watch.”
