by Cesse Ip

The Fourth of July Celebration is coming back this year at the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH), also known as the Old Soldiers Home. The celebration will last from 4pm-9:30pm. Enter the grounds at Randolph Street NW and Rock Creek Church Rd NW. Parking includes a $10 donation that goes straight to the Friends of the Old Soldiers Home. There is also street parking outside of the grounds, and it’s walkable from the metro and the H8 bus.

Entertainment includes music from DJ Billy White, a resident of AFRH. At 6:30pm, a kid bike/scooter contest will commence. Decorate your bike/scooter in a patriotic theme, and you might win a prize. Residents at AFRH will serve on the judging committee, and three winners will be chosen.

Other kid activities include an art station, a temporary tattoo station, and free giveaways while supplies last. Two inflatables, including a bounce house for younger kids, and a 40 foot long inflatable obstacle course will also provide an opportunity to get the wiggles out before the fireworks commence.

Performance Times:
4pm: DJ Billy White aka The Music Man
9:09pm: National Mall Fireworks

Attractions:
4pm-8:30pm: 40-foot obstacle course, dual hoops basketball game, fun house panel
6:30pm: patriotic bike, scooter decoration contest judging (top three winners get prizes)

Food/Drink:
Timber Pizza, Ooo Dat Chicken, Rocklands BBQ, Captain Cookie, Anheuser Busch

Weather:
79 degrees, partly cloudy

Cost: Free if you walk or bike in. Friends of the Soldiers Home requests a $10 donation per carload for drivers

Volunteer:
Give time for part of the event: https://signup.com/go/jrvRqQZ

Pets/Fishing:
Sorry, you must leave pets at home, and no pond fishing this year.

Location:
Enter the Armed Forces Retirement Home at Randolph Road and Rock Creek Church Road. For navigation, use 340 Rock Creek Church Road NW.

A Very Special Thanks to the staff and residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home for making this event possible, and to the Capital Chapter of the Nam Knights of America for volunteer support

From AFRH you will be able to see the fireworks on the National Mall, and you’re encouraged to bring your own blankets and chairs. You are also welcome to bring your own food and drink, but several vendors including Rocklands BBQ, Ooh Dat Chicken, and Captain Cookie will be there, as well as beer and wine for sale. (Ed Note: Drew loves Captain Cookie!)

The planning committee is still looking for volunteers, so if you are available, please sign up!

And of course, it’s Petworth so… sometimes the best view of the fireworks is from your own front porch!

(Please remember that July 4th is also one of the nights with the most lost dogs, as the noise from the fireworks scares our little friends. Be sure not to leave any dogs outside and that none inadvertently get out your front door!)