The Fourth of July celebrations are in full swing across the country, with millions of people facing heat warnings as they gather for parades, cookouts, and fireworks displays.
Travel records are expected to be broken as airports and highways are already bustling with travelers heading to their destinations for the holiday. In the western part of the country, residents are grappling with sweltering heat as a dangerous heat wave sweeps through the region, according to the National Weather Service.
The holiday festivities are set to include a record number of fireworks displays, with both backyard shows and professional productions planned across the nation.
Julie Heckman of the American Pyrotechnics Association noted, “This is how we celebrate. It’s the bombs bursting in air. It’s the rockets’ red glare. That’s how people show their pride and patriotism.”
The Transportation Security Administration reported a record-breaking number of travelers passing through airports recently, with even more expected during the holiday period. AAA projected that 60.6 million people will travel by car during the Fourth of July holiday, partly due to easing inflation concerns.
To combat the extreme heat in the West Coast, residents are advised to take precautions and avoid overheating during the holiday.
Temperatures are forecasted to reach over 100 degrees in California and parts of the Pacific Northwest, with even higher temperatures expected in some areas of the desert Southwest. The Deep South and Middle Atlantic are also experiencing hot and humid conditions.
Some Fourth of July events have been affected by the weather, such as the cancellation of fireworks in Oroville, California, due to wildfires and extreme heat. Despite these challenges, Americans are finding unique ways to celebrate the holiday in their communities.
From lobster boat races in Maine to a hot dog eating contest in New York, Americans are embracing their own traditions to mark the Fourth of July holiday. However, amid political polarization and a divisive presidential race, this year’s celebrations may take on a different tone for some.
Maestro Keith Lockhart of the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular in Boston expressed hope that people can set aside their differences on this day and come together to celebrate their commonalities, despite the current political climate.
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