New Security Measures for July 4 Concert at the U.S. Capitol

Concert & Rehearsal Info

The 30th Capitol Fourth Concert will be broadcast live from the West Lawn of the United States Capitol on Sunday, July 4, 2010 from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Gates will open to the public at 3:00 pm.

There will be a full concert dress rehearsal for this event on Saturday, July 3, 2010, from 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Gates will open to the public at 3:00 pm.

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

Anyone planning to attend is encouraged bring plenty of drinking water, and to use public transportation since parking on U.S. Capitol Grounds will be extremely limited.  You may visit www.wmata.com to plan your trip using public transportation. The nearest metro stops to the U.S. Capitol are Capitol South, and Union Station.

Security Measures & Prohibited Items

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.

Strollers and folding chairs are permitted. Service animals are permitted, and pets must be kept on a leash no more than four (4) feet in length. The United States Capitol Police would like to remind everyone that DC law prohibits the possession of any open containers of alcoholic beverages.

For this event only, food items are permitted. However, alcoholic beverages of any kind and glass bottles are prohibited.

The following items are prohibited: grills; bicycles; umbrellas; sticks or poles; electric stun guns, martial arts weapons or devices; firearms and ammunition (either real or simulated), explosives of any kind (including fireworks); mace, pepper spray; non-aerosol spray; knives, blades or sharp objects (of any length), razors and box cutters; pocket or hand tools such as “Leatherman” tools; laser pointers; posters or signs; any other item at the discretion of security screeners that may pose a threat to the safety and security of the event and its participants.

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 from Friday, July 2 at 9:00 am through Monday, July 5 at 9:00 am.

Street Closures

Temporary street closures will last from 1:00 a.m. on Friday, July 2 through Monday, July 5 at 7:00 a.m.

• 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 between Garfield Circle and Peace Circle will remain closed through Monday, July 5 at 7:00 a.m.

Media Access

** CLOSED SET FRIDAY, JULY 2 AND SUNDAY, JULY 4: NO MEDIA ACCESS **

This event will be a closed set for all media on both Friday, July 2 and Sunday, 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 Capitol Grounds. Credentialed media will be permitted to cover this event during the full dress rehearsal on Saturday, July 3. For additional information on PBS’ A Capitol Fourth Concert, please visit www.pbs.org/capitolfourth or www.pbs.org/pressroom.

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

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