Washington's National Independence Day Parade has been canceled, according to an announcement from organizers late Friday night.The parade had been scheduled to mark the nation's 250th birthday and begin at 10:30 a.m EST.
Saturday.Todd Marcocci, president of Under The Sun Productions, which was overseeing the parade, said the move followed consultation with the National Park Service, the D.C.city government and Freedom 250, the nonprofit overseeing the anniversary celebrations.
"This decision was made after extensive and careful consideration of the safety of our participants, spectators, and staff as the top priority," he said.The National Weather Service (NWS) issued an extreme heat warning for the D.C.area, in effect from 10 a.m.
to 9 p.m.ET Saturday.
The agency said heat index values, which combine temperature and humidity, are expected to reach between 110°F and 115°F, and warned that "heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events." The NWS said that alongside the high humidity, early morning low temperatures in the 70s and 80s would mean "little to no overnight relief." The service also warned that "prolonged excessive heat may impact power, water, and transportation systems." A separate Code Purple air quality alert — indicating "very unhealthy" — is also in effect for D.C.on Saturday.The cancellation came hours after Washington recorded its hottest day in decades.
Reagan National Airport hit 102°F on Friday afternoon, breaking a record of 101°F for that specific date, which had stood since 1966.Saturday's temperatures are forecast to approach or match that figure, which would make it the hottest July Fourth on record for the city.The parade cancellation affected participants who had traveled specifically for the event, including 80 students in the Grand Island Senior High marching band from Nebraska, who had been due to perform.
Their school district confirmed to a local TV station Friday night the b...