Heat dome brings sweltering temperatures, cancels Philadelphia parade

Two-and-a-half centuries after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the United States marked its semiquincentennial with a coast-to-coast spectacle. In Philadelphia, the birthplace of the nation, July 4 capped a 16-day event billed as the largest Independence Day celebration in the country. The Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., brought more than two weeks of events and a 110-foot Ferris wheel to the National Mall.

New York City planned an 85,000-shell fireworks display along the East and Hudson rivers. St. Louis promoted two nights of concerts and a 1,500-drone “aerial spectacle” over the Mississippi River. Fort Ticonderoga in New York hosted a three-day re-enactment of the Northern Continental Army’s preparations to defend the new nation. Addison, Texas, held its “Kaboom Town” fireworks show.

A heat dome brought sweltering temperatures to much of the country during the week. Temperatures on Saturday were expected to hit nearly 100°F in several major East Coast cities, with officials warning people to stay hydrated and limit outdoor activity. Philadelphia’s Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade was canceled because of the heat. Washington’s Great American State Fair temporarily closed on Friday afternoon, with plans to reopen later in the day when temperatures eased.

Wise Woo, a 35-year-old behavior analyst from Toronto, said she had not realized the full scope of the celebrations before booking her return flight from New York and was “so sad” to be leaving just as the festivities began. “I should have stayed longer here,” she said.

Danny Margolin, a 29-year-old web and app developer, said he planned to take his grandmother to watch the fireworks at New York’s Jones Beach — but only at night, once temperatures had cooled. “You don’t want to die,” he joked. Margolin said he had watched the fireworks from Jones Beach before and was hoping for something special this year. “Any excuse to celebrate is good. That’s what life’s about, little celebrations,” he said. “And this isn’t a little one.”

Laurel Sutherlin, 49, and Brianna Cayo Cotter, 45, said they were avoiding mainstream festivities entirely and camping in the Adirondacks with friends. Temperatures there were expected to be roughly 20 degrees cooler than in New York City, which Sutherlin said was part of the trip planning. The pair said they were hoping for a relaxed weekend in nature — eating hot dogs and floating in a nearby lake — that looks nothing like the major 250th anniversary celebrations. “Proper Fourth of July behavior,” Sutherlin said. “Minus all of the hullabaloo.”