Celebrating Independence With Concerts and Fireworks

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Independence Day Downtown

Visitors are strongly encouraged to use public transportation or bicycle to the celebration. All people, coolers, backpacks and packages will be subject to inspection.

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Friday, July 4, 2008; Page B03

Unless noted, all events are on July 4.

District

NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE:11:45 a.m. on Constitution Avenue NW from Seventh to 17th streets.

A CAPITOL FOURTH : Actor Jimmy Smits hosts. Performers include Huey Lewis and the News, Taylor Hicks, Jerry Lee Lewis and the National Symphony Orchestra; Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," with cannon fire, 8 p.m. Fireworks, 9:10 p.m. Concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, East Capitol and First streets; fireworks on the Washington Monument grounds, Independence Avenue and 15th Street NW. 202-619-7222.

WREATH-LAYING: Tomb of Elbridge Gerry, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and vice president, 10 a.m., Historic Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St. SE. Free. 202-543-0539.

WHITE HOUSE: Games and crafts. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., White House Visitor Center, 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202-208-1631.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES: Performance by the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry (Old Guard) Fife and Drum Corps; a reading of the Declaration of Independence, with actors portraying Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, 10 a.m., Constitution Avenue NW, entrance near Seventh Street. 202-357-5000.

ORGAN RECITAL: Scott Dettra and Christopher Jacobson, 11 a.m., Washington National Cathedral, Wisconsin and Massachusetts avenues NW. 202-537-6200.

CATHEDRAL ART TOUR: July 6, 1:30 p.m. Washington National Cathedral, Wisconsin and Massachusetts avenues NW. $5. 202-537-5628 or e-mail tours@cathedral.org.

PALISADES PARADE:11 a.m., starting at Whitehaven Parkway and MacArthur Boulevard NW. 202-363-7441.

NAVY FILMS AND MEMORIAL BELL-RINGING: USS Constitution, 11 a.m.; USS Nautilus, 1 p.m.; USS Hornet, 3 p.m.; 13 visitors strike a bell to honor the 13 original states. 2 p.m., Naval Heritage Center, U.S. Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202-737-2300.

Maryland

LAUREL CAR SHOW: Games and fireworks. Starts 11 a.m. Granville Gude Park, 8300 Mulberry St., Laurel. 301-725-5300, Ext. 44.

BOWIE FIREWORKS: Entertainment starts at 4 p.m. Allen Pond Park, 3330 Northview Dr. 301-809-3011.