Fourth Of July 2017 In DC: National Mall, Capitol Security

WASHINGTON, DC — There's nothing like Independence Day in the nation's capital. It's a full day of events including the Independence Day Parade and the Capitol Fourth Concert, with the signature event being the fireworks celebration after dark.

This year, performers at the Capitol Fourth event include The Beach Boys, Kellie Pickler, The Four Tops, Trace Adkins and more. The concert on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol runs from 8 to 9:30 p.m. ET Tuesday and is broadcast on PBS. (If you're out of the area, watch the live stream here.)

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WEATHER UPDATE: The weather forecast is a bit dicey. NBC Washington's Chuck Bell says storms will be a bit more likely south and west of the D.C. Metro area; he says rain is most likely between 2 and 7 p.m., but fireworks should be dry. The National Weather Service calls for scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Look for mostly cloudy skies with a high near 93. The chance of precipitation is 40 percent. The chance of scattered rain showers before 2 am creeps up to 50 percent. Skies tonight will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.

Throughout the day of holiday festivities, attendees should be aware of security measures throughout the area. Here's what you need to know before heading to the Capitol or National Mall on Independence Day.

SEE ALSO: Washington DC Road Closures For Fourth Of July 2017

A Capitol Fourth Security Tips

• General admission gates open at 3 p.m.
• Attendees will go through metal detectors and check their bags at security checkpoints. The gates are at the North (Senate) Side of Capitol Square: Third Street, NW, and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW and the South (House) Side of Capitol Square: Third Street, SW, and Maryland Avenue, SW.
• Entrances are wheelchair accessible.
• Parking is limited near the Capitol. Use of public transportation is encouraged. The closest stations are Capitol South, Federal Center SW (Orange/Blue lines) and Union Station (Red line). See wmata.com for more information.
• See Capitol Police's list of prohibited items.

Guide To Fireworks On The National Mall

• Fireworks are launched beginning at 9:09 p.m. from the reflecting pool area.
• The show lasts 17 minutes and 30 seconds and is visible from locations in D.C. and Virginia, according to the National Park Service.

• Plan to arrive early, and to protect yourself from heat-related illness. See Directions and Plan Your Visit.
• Viewing areas on the National Mall near the Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool will be accessible only through secure access points.
• Consider wearing hearing protection. These fireworks are BIG and LOUD.
• Consider wearing eye protection to protect yourself from falling debris (ash).
• Consider not bringing pets (some get very scared of the loud booms).
• Immediately following the fireworks, areas along Independence Avenue between the Lincoln Memorial and World War II Memorial will be closed for safety related to the fireworks launch site. The road will re-open after cleanup crews have completed their inspection and removed any hazardous materials.

Other viewing areas include:

• Washington DC: U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, National Mall, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, The White House Ellipse, West Potomac Park, East Potomac Park, Anacostia Park
• Virginia: U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial and the George Washington Memorial Parkway

What not to bring:

• Guns, knives, or ammunition
• Drones
• Alcohol
• Glass containers
• Explosives or fireworks

Recommendations:

• Leave pets at home
• Travel by Metro
• Bring plenty of water
• Recycle

Due to safety concerns and large crowds, no grills, alcohol, glass bottles, or personal fireworks are permitted on NPS property, as grilling and personal fireworks risk fires.

Real Time Security Information From Police

Visitors can sign up for U.S. Park Police's NIXLE alerts to learn about security checkpoint openings and closings, missing children alerts, severe weather alerts and other emergencies, WTOP reported.

To sign up, text “july4dc” to 888-777. Those signed up for the alerts can respond with the message "reply" to report information such as a missing child's location.

“And then we can [communicate] back and forth and get all information we need from you,” U.S. Park Police Sgt. Anna Rose told WTOP.

Image via Capitol Police