July 4th Concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol

Concert & Rehearsal Info

On Wednesday, July 4, 2012, 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the Capitol Fourth Concert will be broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. There will be a full concert dress rehearsal for this event on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. Both the rehearsal and the concert are free and no tickets are required. On both days, gates will open to the public at 3:00 pm.

Public Access, Mobility Impaired Info & Traveling Tips

All public entry points will be wheelchair accessible. Mobility impaired guests and their party will be accommodated at any public entrance site, and can park along the south curb of Constitution Avenue between First Street & Third Street, NW. You may enter the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol from:

• North Side
  • First Street, NW and Constitution Avenue, NW
  • Third Street, NW and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
• South Side
  • First Street, SW and Independence Avenue, SW
  • Third Street, SW and Maryland Avenue, SW

Parking in the immediate area of the U.S. Capitol is extremely limited. Please visit www.wmata.com to help plan your trip using public transportation.

Prohibited Items & Security Measures

The U.S. Capitol Police along with event and production staff closely monitor weather conditions. Any changes to the schedule of events based on adverse weather conditions will be announced to the general public. If an evacuation occurs due to inclement weather, please follow the directions of the U.S. Capitol Police.

Additional security measures will be in place to ensure the safety and security of those in attendance. Anyone attending events on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol must adhere to security screening procedures before entering the event site. This will include an administrative search of all bags, coolers, backpacks, and closed containers.

For this event, food items are permitted. You are strongly encouraged to bring your own supply of water. However, alcoholic beverages of any kind and glass bottles are prohibited. In addition to any other items determined to be prohibited at the discretion of the U.S. Capitol Police, the following items are prohibited:

• ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
• ANIMALS (OTHER THAN SERVICE ANIMALS)
• BICYCLES
• FIREARMS & AMMUNITIONS (EITHER REAL OR SIMULATED)
• EXPLOSIVES OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING FIREWORKS)
• KNIVES, BLADES OR SHARP OBJECTS (OF ANY LENGTH)
• LASER POINTERS, SIGNS, POSTERS
• MACE, PEPPER SPRAY, STICKS & POLES
• ELECTRIC STUN GUNS
• MARTIAL ARTS WEAPONS OR DEVICES
• OVERSIZED UMBRELLAS (RADIUS > 36" WHEN OPEN)
• POCKET OR HAND TOOLS SUCH AS "LEATHERMAN"
• SEALED PACKAGES, LARGE BOXES, DUFFLE BAGS, SUITCASES

Tour Bus Rerouting

Area tour buses will be rerouted from First Street between Constitution Avenue, NW and Independence Avenue, SW to Third Street, between Constitution Avenue, NW and Independence Avenue, SW for passenger drop off and pick up on Monday, July 2; Tuesday, July 3; and Wednesday, July 4.

Street Closures

Temporary street closures will begin on Monday, July 2 at 1:00 am through Thursday, July 5 at 4:00 am:

• First Street between Independence Avenue, SW and Constitution Avenue, NW
• Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between First Street, NW and Third Street, NW
• Maryland Avenue between First Street, SW and Third Street, SW

First Street NW/SW between Garfield Circle and Peace Circle will remain closed through Saturday, July 7 at 5:00 am.

Media Access

** CLOSED SET MONDAY, JULY 2 & WEDNESDAY JULY 4: NO MEDIA ACCESS **

This event will be a closed set for all media on both Monday, July 2 and Wednesday, July 4. These restrictions apply to all accredited members of the media wishing to gain access to the event, as well as requests to park satellite trucks on U.S. Capitol Grounds. Media will be permitted to cover this event during the full dress rehearsal on Tuesday, July 3 only.

For additional information on the Capitol Fourth Concert, please visit https://www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/.

If there are any questions about these events or our security procedures, you may contact the United States Capitol Police Public Information Office at 202-224-1677.

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