By Kyra Brownlee, Alex Grosso, Skyy Cakmak and Lexi Critchett
Washington, D.C. residents continue to return to normal after the pandemic by celebrating a more traditional Fourth of July.
Last year, locals were unable to celebrate in their usual ways in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19, with Mayor Muriel Bowser urging them to stay home and avoid large gatherings. This year, the typical festivities are back on as vaccination rates increase and people can return to crowded public settings.
“D.C. is open and ready to welcome back visitors to celebrate the way we came together as a city and as a nation this year,” Bowser said in a statement. “We have shown once again that when we come together, there is nothing we can’t do.”
For many, this return to normalcy is an exciting contrast to last year’s meager celebrations when events such as the annual parties in neighborhoods north of Massachusetts Avenue and the National Independence Day Parade along the National Mall were cancelled. The new lack of restrictions allows for traditions including the annual parade on Capitol Hill and the fireworks show at the White House to return.
President Joseph Biden plans to host approximately 1,000 essential workers, first responders and members of the military on the South Lawn of the White House, according to administration officials in an email sent last Tuesday to local officials. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of “a summer of reunions and celebrations” as the public reopens.
Amid a year of limited travel and gatherings, people have not been able to see their loved ones. 17-year-old Julia Patton is one of them. Now that travel restrictions have been lifted, she is looking forward to reuniting with family and making new memories.
“This year we are finally able to see family,” Patton said. “We get to see my grandparents for the first time in 2 years and we are going to their farm in Pennsylvania.”
Families and friends are finally able to celebrate this national holiday with each other and get back to their annual routines, planning for new exciting activities to partake in for the upcoming celebration.
“Last year, we weren’t really able to do anything. We just kind of stayed inside,” Siena Rodeschin, 17, said. “This year we might be able to actually go and see fireworks, or actually have more family members, more friends over.”