Tens of thousands braved the pounding sun Tuesday afternoon to stake their place on the Washington Mall to watch the annual parade, “Capitol Fourth” concert and fireworks display.
Some people marched. Some cheered. And some protested.
While a few high school marching band members fell out of formation to find shelter under the shade of a D.C. Fire Department command center, Vietnam veteran Jim Narup, marching with the Vietnam Helicopter Pilot Association, looked like he could go a few more laps.
“It’s brutal out there,” said Narup, of Little Rock, Ark.
About 100 people were treated for heat exhaustion after the parade.
One person was hospitalized, and the rest were treated at the scene by paramedics for injuries related to the 90-degree heat, said Alan Etter, a spokesman for city’s fire and EMS department. Most of the patients were parade participants, he said.
“This happens every year, though not to this degree,” Etter said.
As many as 500,000 people were expected to endure the hot, humid conditions to watch the festivities culminating with a fireworks display. Officials do not provide crowd estimates during events, but many people were likely waiting to come out until temperatures cooled in the evening, said Sgt. Scott Fear, of the U.S. Park Police.
Julianne Foxworthy, 27, of Falls Church, was there to protest the Iraq War.
“We’re patriotic,” Foxworthy said. “Speaking out and protesting in peace are patriotic things.”
John Gallagher, of Atlanta, flew into Washington on Tuesday from a two-week African safari with his father and two teenage sons. The Gallaghers said Tuesday that it was hotter in U.S. capital than in the Botswana Bush.
“This is a rude awakening,” Gallagher said.
– Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
