Preparations are ramping up for a massive military parade in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States Army on Saturday, June 14, a date that also coincides with President Trump’s 79th birthday.
Matt McCool, a Secret Service official for the Washington field office, said at a Monday press conference that organizers were preparing for “hundreds of thousands” of attendees.
Officials in Washington have raised concerns about damage to the city’s streets, while Democrats in Congress have questioned the price tag of up to $45 million.
“It’s going to be an amazing day. We have tanks, we have planes, we have all sorts of things,” Trump told reporters in the White House on Tuesday. “We’re going to celebrate our country for a change.”
He added that any protesters would be met with force.
Here’s what to know about the birthday parade and related events:
Saturday’s schedule
The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. and roll down Constitution Avenue NW, featuring thousands of troops marching in formation, a group of each wearing uniforms representing every American conflict dating back to the American Revolution.
It will also include significant military hardware, including tanks, helicopters, and armed fighting vehicles. A landing by paratroopers from the Army’s Golden Knights and a fireworks display will follow.
The day’s events will begin at 9:30 with a fitness competition. A festival on the National Mall starting at 11 a.m., The festival will feature live music and static displays of military equipment, including various vehicles and weapons.
The event is expected to cost as much as $45 million.
America250, the organizing group, did not respond to an inquiry about how many people had so far registered for the event.
Tight security, road closures
Attendees will need to reserve free tickets with America250, the organizing group, with up to two tickets available per phone number.
Security will include some 175 magnetometers at the three checkpoints, as well as 18 miles of ”anti-scale” fencing and multiple drones in the air.
On Saturday, attendees will have to pass through a security checkpoint to enter the festivities. Prohibited items include weapons, bikes, selfie sticks, umbrellas with metal tips, and bags and signs outside specified size restrictions.
Those wishing to attend the parade can enter at the National Mall at 14th Street or at a location about a block west of the White House Ellipse. Entrance to the festival will be at the National Mall on 9th Street.
The event will also come with numerous road closures downtown, including Rock Creek Parkway down from Virginia Avenue NW and George Washington Parkway between I-395 and U.S. 50 on the Virginia side. Some of the closures will start as early as Thursday morning.
Metro service will run as normal, although the Northwest entrance to the Smithsonian Metro station will be closed due to the security perimeter. A number of bus routes will face detours due to the road closures.
Flights at Ronald Reagan National Airport will also be temporarily suspended that evening because of planned military flyovers along the parade route.
DC raises concerns
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser raised concerns in late May that the tanks and military vehicles in the parade would damage the city’s streets.
Jess Curry, an engineer on the Army staff, said at Monday’s press conference that the Army had instituted metal plating along certain parts of the route, particularly in areas where the tanks have to steer sharply.
“It’s a parade. They’re going to be moving very slowly. They’re going to be careful,” he said.
Officials are also tracking nine planned demonstrations in the city against the parade. Outside the nation’s capitol, organizing groups for the ‘No Kings’ movement are coordinating protests for Saturday across the country — although not in the city itself.
Plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Army have been in the works for several years, but did not initially include the parade. The date also falls on the 79th birthday of Trump, who mused frequently about a military display during his first term.
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