"A Capitol Fourth" Concert at the U.S. Capitol

WASHINGTON, DC – On Monday, July 4, 2016, the annual “A Capitol Fourth” Concert, celebrating America’s Independence Day, will be broadcast live from the West Front of the United States Capitol.

The concert begins at 8 p.m. on Monday, and gates will open to the public at 3 p.m.

There will also be a full concert dress rehearsal for this event on Sunday, July 3, 2016, at 8 p.m.
Gates will open to the public on Sunday at 3 p.m. Both events are open to the public and no tickets are required.

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 Sunday and Monday, from this parking area to the public entrance nearest to First Street, NW, and Constitution Avenue, NW.

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, Security Measures, and Inclement Weather
The U.S. Capitol Police and concert event 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 is necessitated by inclement weather, please follow U.S. Capitol Police direction.

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 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 U.S. Capitol Police security screeners, the following items are prohibited.

• ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
• GLASS BOTTLES
• 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 greater than 36” when open)
• 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

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 Saturday, July 2 through Monday, July 4.

Street Closures and Parking Restrictions
Temporary street closures and parking restrictions will take effect beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, July 2 through Tuesday, July 5 at 4 a.m.
• First Street, SW/NW from Independence Avenue to Constitution Avenue
• Maryland Avenue, SW, between First Street to Third Street
• Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, between First Street to Third Street
• The area between Peace Circle and Garfield Circle will remain closed until 4 a.m. on July 6.

From Wednesday, June 29 through Friday, July 1, 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 land southbound. The two northbound lanes will be closed.

From Wednesday, July 6 through Friday, July 8, on First Street NW/SW between Garfield and Peace Circles traffic will use only the southbound lane, and the traffic pattern will be dictated by rush hour traffic flow. In the morning, traffic will flow one way Northbound. In the afternoon, traffic will flow one way Southbound.

From Saturday, July 2 at 12:01 a.m. through Tuesday, July 5 at 4 a.m., there will be no staff 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.

There also will be a number of street closures along the National Mall in conjunction with other July 4 activities. For details, please visit https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalmall4th/plan-your-visit.htm.

For additional information about the Capitol Fourth Concert, please visit https://www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/concert/concert-highlights/.

If there are questions about this event, security procedures, or prohibited items please contact the U.S. Capitol Police Public Information Office at 202-224-1677. For general information about the event, call 202-228-0117 and select option 5.

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