There will be no Fourth of July parade on the National Mall this year, the National Park Service announced on Thursday, citing limitations for planning and logistics.
“The National Park Service and our partner, Diversified Events — who puts on the National Independence Day Parade with us every year — have come to the reluctant but necessary conclusion that we’ll have to cancel this year’s parade,” NPS spokesman Mike Litterst told WTOP News.
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Usually, the youth organizations, drill teams, and marching bands that typically put on the parade spend eight to 18 months preparing for the event, according to a statement from NPS, which added that many participants could not prepare due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Unfortunately, without the military bands and the drill teams and the other youth organizations that are the backbone of the parade, we’ve decided to cancel this year’s parade and focus on next year’s already,” Litterst said.
No decision has been made to cancel any other Independence Day events, Litterst told the Washington Post.
Last year, Washington D.C., hosted a fireworks display amid the summer of unrest, when protests were still underway over the death of George Floyd, who died while in Minneapolis Police custody.
Former President Donald Trump also held an event and speech for the Fourth of July on the South Lawn of the White House.
The National Park Service has denied a request for Fourth of July fireworks this year, citing “health and safety” risks, after the state hosted a celebration in 2020 that was attended by Trump.
“We share everyone’s disappointment in this decision and look forward to presenting this red, white and blue celebration of America’s birthday again on July 4, 2022,” NPS said.
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The Washington Examiner contacted NPS but did not immediately receive a response.
