An extreme heat wave in the eastern US is putting a damper on July Fourth celebrations in Washington, DC, with organizers for the Great American State Fair announcing the event will open at 12 p.m. ET today instead of 10 a.m.
It comes after the fair — a 16-day exhibition showcasing the culture of US states and territories on the National Mall — shut down for several hours yesterday amid temperatures that, combined with the humidity, reached triple digits.
Dangerous heat holds on as storms fire up Saturday
Fourth of July weekend plans may be disrupted by scorching heat and a risk of strong thunderstorms.
Dangerous heat holds on as storms fire up Saturday
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A spokesperson for DC Fire & EMS said emergency responders had 44 “patient contacts” at the fair before it paused yesterday, though it’s unclear how many of those were for heat-related issues. CNN’s Derek Van Dam, who’s been covering the event, reported the fairgrounds offered little shade with few trees or other protection, with some attendees relying on umbrellas for relief.
Meanwhile, organizers for an America 250 Independence Day Parade, which was set for 10:30 a.m. in Washington, DC, said last night it has been canceled because of the heat. “This decision was made after extensive consultation with the National Park Service, the District of Columbia City Government and Freedom 250 and careful consideration of the safety of our participants, spectators, and staff as the top priority,” organizers wrote in a news release.
The parade is separate from the Trump-backed Freedom 250 celebrations.
DC faces yet another triple-digit high temperature today and may see its hottest Fourth of July ever recorded, along with the threat of scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening because of the humidity.
Organizers for the Great American State Fair, and the coinciding FIFA Fan Zone on the Mall, are encouraging guests to stay hydrated, and are distributing water throughout the site, along with providing other resources like cooling areas.
CNN’s Rashard Rose, Brian Todd and Alisha Ebrahimji contributed to this report.
