Despite a scorching heat wave gripping Washington, the annual “A Capitol Fourth Concert” will still be held Friday evening, U.S. Capitol Police said Friday morning.
The concert will still begin at 8 p.m., Capitol Police said, but the public gates will now open at 7 p.m. due to the heat.
“People at risk for heat-related health issues should exercise extra caution,” they said in a statement.
Temperatures on Friday and Saturday are expected to exceed 100 degrees, and officials have issued extreme-heat advisories.
“To ensure a safe concert, all guests are strongly encouraged to bring an ample supply of water to stay hydrated,” Capitol Police said in the statement. Non-glass water bottles and coolers are allowed, they said.
The concert, which takes place on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, is set to feature performers including Patti LaBelle, Alan Jackson, Chicago, Kool & the Gang as well as the National Symphony Orchestra, the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” the Choral Arts Society of Washington and the Joint Armed Forces Chorus.
The decision to go forward with the concert comes after Capitol Police banned the public from attending the concert’s Thursday-evening rehearsal due to the heat.
The concert is usually held on Independence Day, but it was moved to July 3 because of the Freedom 250 fireworks and programming scheduled for the National Mall on the Fourth.
The Capitol Fourth Concert is broadcast by PBS and carried by public television stations nationwide.
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