For Immediate Release

Thursday, June 22, 2006

No July 4th Fireworks in Arlington, but the View from Here is Fantastic!

Arlington County's administrative offices closed on Independence Day

For information contact: Serena Ingre-Martinez, (703) 228-0590,

ARLINGTON, Va. – There’ll be no fireworks displays in Arlington this Fourth of July, but the County offers several excellent views of the national fireworks in the District.  In observance of the Independence Day holiday,

County and Arlington Public Schools administrative offices, Courts and Libraries will be closed. Additionally, several road closures will be in effect through midnight on Tuesday, July 4.

Spectacular views of the national fireworks from Arlington

Popular spots in Arlington to watch the national display are the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima), and areas along the Virginia side of the Potomac River that can be reached from George Washington Memorial Parkway.

If you plan to watch the fireworks from Iwo Jima, take Metro’s Orange line to the Rosslyn Metro station. Approximate walking distance from Rosslyn Metro to Iwo Jima is .20 miles. 

To reach the George Washington Memorial Parkway’s Gravely Point parking lot, head south on the Parkway until you reach Reagan National Airport. At the airport, circle back to head north onto the Parkway towards the 14th Street Bridge. About a quarter of mile before the bridge, turn right into the parking area. No glass bottles, alcohol or fireworks are allowed at the Gravely Point parking lot or anywhere along the Parkway.

Another place people can go to watch the fireworks is Gateway Park in Rosslyn and the Key Bridge, which crosses the Potomac River between Georgetown and Arlington. Take Metro’s Orange line to the Rosslyn Metro station. Get there early to grab a spot at the bridge. There's no seating at the bridge, and you can stand on the sidewalks only.

Fourth of July in Arlington

Arlington’s Barcroft community will host its annual 4th of July Parade. The parade will start at the Barcroft Community House, 800 S. Buchanan St., 10 a.m. For more information about the event, contact Andrew Hunter at (202) 358-2514.

For safety tips and other relevant information, please visit Arlington’s 2006 Fourth of July Web page at www.arlingtonva.us/web/JulyFourth.aspx

Other fireworks and activities around the area

• Washington, D.C.’s morning parade along Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Street, NW, 11:45 a.m. At 9:10 p.m., enjoy the fireworks displays over the reflecting pool on the National Mall while listening to a PBS Concert of the National Symphony Orchestra. The parade and fireworks display are free and open to the public. (202) 619-7222. 
• Mount Vernon’s Red, White and Blue Celebration includes 18th-century patriotic music, a reading of the Declaration of Independence by “George Washington,” the annual Red, White, and Blue Concert performance by the National Concert Band of America, and FREE Happy Birthday, America! Cake (while supplies last). Activities begin at 5 p.m. Admission Fee: $13 Adults; $6 Child. (703) 780-2000.

Fourth of July holiday closings schedule

• Arlington Courts:General District Court, Circuit Court, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, will be closed Tuesday, July 4. 
• Arlington County Public Schools: Arlington Public Schools administrative offices will be closed on Tuesday, July 4. 
• Arlington Public Libraries: All Arlington Public Library locations will be closed on Tuesday, July 4. No changes to weekend or Monday hours. 
• Arlington Refuse and Recycling Collection: Refuse, recycling and special collections will operate as normal on Tuesday, July 4. The Customer Service Center will be closed. All special collection requests for Tuesday, July 4, and Wednesday, July 5, will need to be requested by close of business Monday, July 3, by calling (703) 228-6570. 
• Arlington Transit: ART 51 will run a Sunday schedule. No other routes will be in service. Arlington STAR call center will be closed Tuesday, July 4.  For more details visit www.commuterpage.com/art/schedules.htm or call 703-228-RIDE. 
• Arlington Parking Meters: Meters will not be enforced on Tuesday, July 4; all other parking regulations will be in effect. 
• Arlington Recreation and Senior Centers: All Arlington Recreation and Senior Centers will be closed Tuesday, July 4, except Barcroft Sports and Fitness Center, which will be open from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Skate Park at Powhatan Springs Park will be open from 8 – 11:30 a.m. for free skate session; and from 12 noon – 9 p.m. for managed skate session. 
• Arlington Nature Centers: Long Branch and Gulf Branch Nature Centers will be closed on Tuesday, July 4. The nature center grounds and trails will be open dawn until dusk. 
• Arlington Public Swimming Pools: Pools adjacent to Washington-Lee, Yorktown and Wakefield high schools will be open 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
• Arlington Virginia Network (AVN) will air regular program schedule.

Road Closures in Arlington

To facilitate the movement of vehicles and pedestrians in and around Arlington and to enhance safety and security during Fourth of July, the following road closures will occur:

From 6 a.m. to midnight:

• Memorial Bridge/Memorial Circle and the Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial

From 3 p.m. to midnight:

• Eastbound Washington Blvd. between I-395 (exit 8B) and Memorial Bridge
• Eastbound Columbia Pike (Rt. 244) between S. Joyce St. and the Pentagon
• N. Meade St. from Marshall Dr. to Rt. 50
• Marshall Dr. from Rt. 110 to N. Meade St.
• Eastbound N. Fairfax Dr. from N. Pierce St. to N. Fort Myer Dr.
• Exit ramp from westbound Rt. 50 to N. Lynn St. (Rosslyn exit)
• Exit ramp from eastbound Rt. 50 to N. Meade St. (Rosslyn exit)

From 5 p.m. to midnight:

• Eastbound Rt. 50 at N. Pershing Dr. (detour at N. Barton St. or Washington Blvd.)

From 8:30 p.m. to midnight:

• Ft. Myer Drive from Wilson Blvd. to the Meade St. bridge (access to the Ft. Myer Heights neighborhood will be via the Rhodes St. bridge)
• Employees requiring access to the Pentagon should enter South Parking from Army-Navy Dr. or North Parking from Boundary Channel Dr.

Arlington County residents and visitors are also reminded that alcoholic beverages, grills, and fireworks are prohibited on County and federal parkland during Independence Day events.  Vendors will not be allowed in the area of the Iwo Jima Memorial. Coolers and backpacks will be subject to search.

For any questions about traffic or street closings, call 703-228-4147 (recorded message) or 703-228-4141.

Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.