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2017 Memorial Day Concert at U.S. Capitol Honors U.S. Heroes in Uniform

May 23, 2017

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO - Prohibited Items, Street Closures and More

On Sunday, May 28, 2017, the annual National Memorial Day Concert, which honors American veterans and members of the U.S. Armed Services, will be broadcast live from the West Front of the United States Capitol.

The concert begins at 8 p.m. on Sunday, and gates will open to the public at 5 p.m.

There also will be a full concert dress rehearsal for this event on Saturday, May 27, 2017, at 8 p.m.
Gates will open to the public on Saturday at 5 p.m.

Public and Accessible Entrances, Parking, and Travel Tips

All public entrances are wheelchair accessible. Mobility impaired guests and their parties will be accommodated at any public entrance. Limited parking on a first come, first serve basis will be available to mobility-impaired guests and their parties along the south curb of Constitution Avenue between First and Third Streets, NW. ADA shuttle service will be available beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, from this parking area to the First Street, NW, screening site.

Public entrances to the West Front of the U.S. Capitol are as follows:

  • North (Senate) Side of Capitol Square: Third Street, NW, and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
  • South (House) Side of Capitol Square: Third Street, SW, and Maryland Avenue, SW

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

Prohibited Items and Security Measures

Additional security measures will be in place to ensure the safety and security of those in attendance. Anyone attending events on the West Front 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 and lawn/beach chairs that sit low to the ground are permitted. Guests are encouraged to bring their own supply of water. Alcoholic beverages of any kind and glass bottles are strictly prohibited.

In addition to any other items at the discretion of security screeners,the following items are prohibited.

  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Animals (other than service animals)
  • Bicycles
  • Firearms and 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
  • Umbrellas larger 36" in diameter (those smaller than 36" will be allowed)
  • Pocket or Hand Tools such as a "Leatherman"
  • Sealed Packages, Large boxes, Duffle bags, Suitcases
  • Drones, Model rockets, Remote or Manually-controlled Model Gliders, Model Airplanes or Unmanned Aircrafts, Model Boats and/or Cars, and other unmanned ground or aircraft systems

Tour Bus Rerouting

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 from 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 26 until 8:30 a.m. on Monday, May 29. The ADA shuttle will pick up passengers at Third Street and Maryland Avenue, SW, to transport visitors to the Capitol Visitor Center on Friday, May 26 and Saturday, May 27.

Street Closures and Parking Restrictions

Temporary street closures will take effect beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 26 through Monday, May 29 at 4 a.m.

  • First Street, SW/NW from Independence Avenue to Constitution Avenue
  • Maryland Avenue, SW, from First Street to Third Street
  • Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, from First Street to Third Street

From Wednesday, May 24 through Wednesday, May 31, the traffic pattern on First Street, NW/SW between Garfield Circle and Peace Circle will change. Two southbound lanes will be open but they will be coned on the white line dividing them and allowing two-lane traffic – one lane northbound and one lane southbound. The two northbound lanes will be closed. NOTE: At times, First Street between Garfield and Peace Circles will be closed intermittently during heavy equipment load in.

From Friday, May 26 at 12:01 a.m. through Monday, May 29 at 4 a.m., there will be no permit parking allowed on First Street SW/NW from Independence Avenue to Constitution Avenue; Maryland Avenue, SW, from First Street to Third Street; and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, from First Street to Third Street.

For additional information about the Memorial Day Concert, please visit www.pbs.org. If there are questions about this event, please contact the U.S. Capitol Police Public Information Office at 202-224-1677.


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