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Capitol Fourth Concert: West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol

June 29, 2011
United States Capitol PoliceChief Phillip D. Morse, Sr
Public Information Office 
119 D Street, NE 
Washington, D.C. 20510June 29, 2011
(202) 224-1677 
  

Concert & Rehearsal Info

On Monday, July 4, 2011, at 8:00 p.m., the Capitol Fourth Concert will be broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Gates will open to the public at 3:00 pm.

There will be a full concert dress rehearsal for this event on Sunday, July 3, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. Gates will open to the public at 3:00 pm.

Both the rehearsal and the concert are free and no tickets are required.

Public Access & Traveling Tips

All public entry points will be wheelchair accessible. 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. A limited number of handicap parking spaces will be available on a first come first served basis along the south curb of Constitution Avenue between First Street, NW and Third Street, NW. Please visit www.wmata.com to plan your trip using public transportation.

Prohibited Items & 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 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 only, food items are permitted. You are encouraged to bring your own supply of water as no bottled water will be supplied. Your water bottles may be refilled at any one of the drinkable water fountains in the area of the U.S. Capitol. In the case of First Aid needs and medical emergencies, water will be available.

The following items are prohibited for this event:

Alcoholic beverages of any kind; glass bottles; animals (other than service animals); bicycles; firearms and ammunition (real, replica or simulated); explosives of any kind (including fireworks); stun guns; martial arts weapons or devices; razors and box cutters; pocket or hand tools such as "Leatherman" knives, blades or sharp objects of any length; mace, pepper spray; sticks and poles; oversized umbrellas (no greater than 36" radius when fully opened); sealed packages, large boxes, duffle bags, suitcases.

Other items may be determined to be prohibited at the discretion of the U.S. Capitol Police.

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 Saturday, July 2, and Monday, July 4, 2011.

Street Closures

Temporary street closures will begin on Friday, July 1 at 1:00 am through Tuesday, 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 Tuesday, July 6 at 5:00 am.

Media Access

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

This event will be a closed set for all media on both Saturday, July 2 and Monday, 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 Sunday, July 3 only.

For additional information on the Memorial Day Concert, please visit, please visit 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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 Prepared by:
 Sergeant Kimberly Schneider
 United States Capitol Police
 Public Information Office