Rain Does Not Stop July 4th Celebrations in D.C.

While the nationwide color-coded terror threat level remained at yellow, or "elevated," for the holiday weekend, security was tightened for the national birthday festivities -- as it was for the past two July 4 celebrations since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. In May, Attorney General John D. Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III warned that the Independence Day celebration was among the major public events terrorists might plan to target this year.

The Mall was closed for a security sweep this morning, before 19 security checkpoints opened at 10 a.m. for anyone willing to brave occasional showers.

More than 20 local, state and federal agencies contributed to today’s security. District police activated 14 surveillance cameras and joined the Park Police to man the checkpoints that provided access to the Mall.

Security also was on the minds of many tourists, including Mona Queoff, 38, of Madison, Wis., who came to the capital for the Independence Day holiday with her husband and children. "Seeing all of the security does make me think about it all. But that didn’t stop me from coming because that is what they want," Queoff said, referring to terrorists.

The museums lining the Mall provided some shelter and distraction from today’s dismal weather. The Smithsonian Folklife Festival also provided tent-covered performances and demonstrations by musicians, dancers, craftspeople, storytellers and artists focusing on this year’s festival themes -- Latino culture, Haiti and mid-Atlantic maritime communities.

The fireworks followed an evening of music on the Mall. The National Symphony Orchestra’s "Capitol Fourth" concert, hosted by actor Barry Bostwick, featured a medley of John Philip Sousa marches and Tchaikovsky’s "1812 Overture," which was punctuated by cannons firing from the Reflecting Pool. Country-music star couple Vince Gill and Amy Grant, gospel singer Yolanda Adams, Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees and American Idol singer Clay Aiken joined the orchestra for performances. Erich Kunzel, America’s premier pops conductor, also paid tribute to Ray Charles, who died last month.

A planned concert tribute to big-band era music featuring the U.S. Army Blues Jazz Ensemble and singer Marlena Shaw on the Washington Monument grounds was canceled because of weather. And a 6 p.m. outdoor performance of the U.S. Air Force Concert Band and Singing Sergeants was moved inside the National Air and Space Museum. Concert-goers set up beach chairs in the museum’s lobby beneath a Boeing 247-D and Douglas DC-3 hanging from the ceiling.

The Metrorail system was scheduled to be open until midnight. The Smithsonian Metro station was closed for the day for security reasons, as it was for July 4 celebrations the past two years. The Federal Triangle, L’Enfant Plaza and Archives-Navy Memorial stations near the Mall were open.

Washington Post staff writer Amit R. Paley, Arielle Levin Becker and Hamil R. Harris contributed to this report.