(The Center Square) – Threats of severe thunderstorms and summer heat didn’t thwart crowds from swarming the National Mall Saturday afternoon for a celebratory festival to kick off the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.
Impressive military equipment, including Blackhawk helicopters and Stryker vehicles, lined the Mall where kids and adults alike got to peek inside. Thousands of Army soldiers were present, chatting and answering questions from attendees.
Festival goers also participated in games of football and cornhole while listening to live music by country artist Noah Hicks and the U.S. Army Band.
The U.S. Army Drill Team also gave a performance in ceremonial uniform on the Mall.
Scattered protesters were present bearing signs and shouting through megaphones next to crowds waiting in long security lines to enter the event.
However, larger protests as a part of the “No Kings Day of Defiance” were relatively absent from the National Mall and mostly occurred outside of the city in Northern Virginia.
The anniversary event will continue into Saturday evening with an official ceremony, cake-cutting and parade through the streets of the nation’s capital. The night will conclude with fireworks on the National Mall.
President Donald Trump, whose birthday coincides with the Army’s anniversary event, is expected to address crowds later in the evening.
Official estimates given by the Army clock the cost of the festival and parade to be between $25 and $45 million. The Army’s calculation includes damage done to D.C.’s streets by military equipment brought into the city for the event.
When asked about the massive cost of these festivities, Trump said the expense is “peanuts compared to the value of doing it.”
