Mall was ‘the place to be’

The District’s notorious summer heat and humidity abated a bit for the thousands of visitors and area residents who attended yesterday’s Fourth of July celebrations in the city.

“This is the place to be on our nation’s birthday,” said Darlene Young of Clinton, who was pushing a stroller carrying her 20-month-old granddaughter Kalina Noble. “We’ve been coming here every year, for years. … Where else would you rather be?”

The federal government gives no official crowd estimates, but about 500,000 people were expected to attend the festivities — including the Independence Day parade along Constitution Avenue NW and the 25th musical celebration on the West Lawn of the Capitol, followed by evening fireworks at the Washington Monument.

The concert, which featured the Beach Boys, Gloria Estefan and the O’Jays, started at 8 p.m. Long before the sun set, people slathered on sunscreen, spread their blankets and positioned lawn chairs.

As night fell, they stood in awe as jets of red, blue and white fireworks danced circles in the sky over the Washington Monument.

“It was tremendous,” said Lisa White of Salt Lake City. “Having the music before was wonderful, and having that backdrop of the Washington Monument was great.”

The city held its first drill of an emergency evacuation plan as the Mall was cleared.

“In general, it was very successful,” said Bill Rice, a spokesman for the D.C. Department of Transportation.

Bottlenecks formed along the way as it took pedestrians longer than anticipated to clear the Mall, and drivers ran into clogged streets once they were clear of the evacuation zone, where lights were reprogrammed with longer green signals.

As of 10 p.m., Metro had reported more than 450,000 riders, an increase from about 300,000at the same time last year. Among them were those who wanted to avoid traffic congestion caused by numerous street closings and the Washington Nationals afternoon game at RFK stadium.

No major delays or problems were reported by late afternoon, Metro spokeswoman Candace Smith said.

Art Cuffee, a freelance photojournalist from Queens, N.Y., said he and his family have been coming to the District for the Fourth of July for about the past 10 years.

“Every year I come to D.C. to soak in the festivities,” said Mr. Cuffee, 60. His son, daughter and daughter-in-law participated in the parade with the Festival of India.

Towering floats in the likenesses of Woody Woodpecker and an Uncle Sam joined the parade with marching bands, military units, dancers and other entries from across the country.

The marching band from West High School in Aurora, Ill., played “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”

The kilt-wearing West Virginia Highlanders of Davis & Elkins College paraded down the street with bagpipes.

Visitors had to pass through tight security to enter the Mall, but no majors delays or problems had been reported by late afternoon.

U.S. Park Police Sgt. Scott Fear reported no arrests as of late afternoon. About 1,800 Park Police officers were patrolling the area.

“It looks like we have a full house today,” said Officer Michael Lauer, a spokesman for U.S. Capitol Police. “Security had been going fine. I haven’t heard of any issue with that. Everything seems to be going well.”

Despite temperatures in the high 80s, no one was reported to be taken to hospitals for heat-related illnesses.

“I love it here,” said Jackie Morrison, 19, of Syracuse , N.Y., who was taking her first trip to the District. “I can see why people come every year.”

Rob McGee, 39, of New Jersey, said Independence Day was a time to reflect. “We have to think about what everybody did to get us here so we can enjoy the weekend and what we have,” he said.

Mr. McGee sat with his wife, Anne, 37, on the Mall where they got engaged five years ago. They posted an American flag in the grass between them in memory of those who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Sharon Phillips, 44, who moved to Fairfax a year ago, visited the Mall instead of taking her usual trip home to visit family.

“I have a newfound respect for veterans and people in the military,” she said.