National Mall Fireworks Could Break a World Record

Washington's Independence Day display is going big. This year's National Mall fireworks show, overseen by Freedom 250, the Trump-aligned group steering much of the nation's 250th birthday programming, is slated to run about 40 minutes, roughly double the typical length, as organizers aim to break the Guinness World Record for the largest single fireworks display. A Philippines megachurch claimed the record a decade ago by setting off more than 810,000 fireworks, per NPR. The administration's record-chasing plan includes more than 850,000 fireworks from 10 launch sites, and does not come without controversy, the Washington Post reports.

The show from Pyrotecnico won't launch until after 10:30pm and could slip to 11pm, far past the usual 9:30pm start. Attendees are being urged to arrive as early as 1pm on a day forecast to top 100 degrees, but will face bans on coolers, lawn chairs, bags, and multiple water bottles, sparking criticism online. Though organizers say there will be four free water stations, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser warned the marathon outing may not be suitable for young children and suggested many families might be better off watching from home. President Trump, who has called the event a "rally" as well as the "LARGEST FIREWORKS SHOW IN HISTORY," is expected to speak at the event, starting around 9pm.