Expect to see hundreds of military vehicles and aircraft this Saturday as part of the military parade and celebration of the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday — which coincides with President Trump’s 79th birthday. The festival will begin at 11 a.m., the parade at 6:30 p.m., and the fireworks show at 9:45 p.m., on and along the National Mall.
The military parade has a projected cost of between $25 to $45 million. Some senators expressed concern over this level of spending during a period of major federal spending cuts. One-third of the budget has been allocated for street repairs during the parade, as opponents and D.C. officials have expressed concerns over the potential damage that tanks and other heavy vehicles could inflict on D.C. streets. The U.S. Army began installing steel plates earlier in the week to minimize damage.
While D.C. is used to big celebrations, a large-scale military celebration like this is actually pretty rare. Critics have voiced concerns about the imagery involved in the day, such as showcasing High Mobility Artillery Rocket System weaponry that has been used to launch rockets in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.
It’s going to be a lot to take in as a D.C. resident. Here’s some important information to help you navigate this event:
Onlookers watch as an Army M1 Abrams tank is unloaded from a flatbed truck near West Potomac Park on June 10. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Closures and Transportation
Officials have announced mass street closures, with some having already started on June 9. Dozens of streets, highway exits, bridges, expressways, and more will be posted as Emergency No Parking and closed to vehicle traffic through to Monday, June 16 — check out that full list here. Many streets will remain open to local traffic only starting Friday, June 13.
Metro’s service announcement for the military parade includes Metrobus detours or delays, which stations to avoid, and which stations to take if attending the parade. Capital Bikeshare will remain open through the parade, but some stations near the event will be closed.
Counter Protests
Organizers say they expect June 14 to be the “largest single-day anti-President Trump rally” since he began his second presidency. Across the U.S., millions are expected to protest in more than 1,800 rallies. President Trump said he plans to meet protesters with “very big force.”
But, there will be no organized protest in the district. The No Kings organization, which is leading the counter-protest movement across the U.S., said not protesting in D.C. is a deliberate choice to “not give the Trump administration an opportunity to stoke and then put the focus on conflict." However, protests are expected in Maryland and Virginia.
Impacts on Other Events
The parade’s scheduling has led to the relocation of other events, including the Vietnam veterans’ ‘In Memory’ ceremony. It will not take place at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in D.C. this year — a tradition it has carried out for three decades. The event has been moved six miles south to Alexandria.
