WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — The Fourth of July on the National Mall is a sight to be seen.
It’s hard to miss the bright patriotic outfits left and right and people visiting from near and far.
“We’re just excited to be in the city for the Fourth of July,” Holly Engle said.
Engle and her family are visiting from Clarksville, Ar.
“We’re enjoying all the festivities. We’re enjoying going to the different memorials,” Engle said. “We’ve been to the Smithsonian. We’ve been to the White House and to the Capitol building.”
But the biggest attraction on Independence Day is, of course, the fireworks.
“I mean this is the nation’s capital. So I think that if there’s any place that you’re going to do it and it’s going to be done big, it’s going to be here. And this is also our home,” Abbey Stanley said.
Stanley and her family from Falls Church camped out under a canopy for eight hours ahead of the big display.
“Normally we go to the beach with a setup, but it’s awfully sunny out here. So we figure why not just do it?” Stanley said. “We’re going to be here for hours and hours, and we’re pale, as you can see. So it maybe it’s better that we have something to protect ourselves from the sun.”
With hours to kill there was at least some entertainment from the Smithsonian Folklife Festival just steps away.
Jose Manthey and her friend also set up well in advance, looking forward to the fireworks.
“But also all the people that are dressed up and the vibe here,” Manthey said.
Metrorail and Metrobus are free on July 4 from 5 p.m. until 2 a.m.
