Big Parade Set For Saturday
This Saturday, President Donald Trump is hosting a major military parade in Washington, D.C. The event will celebrate the Army’s 250th anniversary, and honestly, it’s going to be huge. Officials say the whole thing might cost tens of millions of dollars. Thousands of soldiers, tons of military vehicles, and dozens of aircraft will be part of the parade. And since it's also Trump’s 79th birthday, he’ll be giving a speech during the event later that evening.
The main parade starts at 6:30 p.m. ET and will last a little over an hour. It’s being broken down into sections that honor different eras of the Army — from the Revolutionary War all the way to today's modern Army and even the future. The parade will move along Constitution Avenue NW, between 15th and 23rd streets on the National Mall.
Other Events Happening That Day
Besides the parade, there’s a full day of activities planned in D.C. The Army is putting on a birthday festival that kicks off at 11 a.m. ET. This part is free and open to the public. There will be live music, NFL player meet-and-greets, rock climbing walls, and military demonstrations. They’re calling it a "family friendly" event, so people of all ages can come and enjoy.
In the morning, there’s also going to be a fitness competition with 14 Army teams competing. Later in the evening, after Trump speaks about the Army’s history and achievements, there’ll be a concert and fireworks to close out the day.
Who’s Behind Organizing The Parade?
The parade is being handled by America250, which was created by Congress as part of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016. A mix of lawmakers and Cabinet members make up this group. Some of the names include Attorney General Pam Bondi, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and others from both political parties.
Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order that added more people from his administration to help with planning. He also made himself the chair of the White House task force, while Vice President JD Vance was named vice chair.
What Will Be Featured In The Parade?
This is going to be a huge military display. Around 6,600 soldiers will be marching. There’ll be 150 military vehicles and 50 aircraft flying overhead. They’ve even included almost three dozen horses and a couple of mules for the historical sections of the parade. Soldiers will wear uniforms and carry weapons from different points in Army history.
The air show is expected to be pretty impressive too, with helicopters, old aircraft, and a parachute demonstration by the Army’s Golden Knights. Military equipment started arriving earlier in the week on trains, with 51 rail cars delivering everything needed for the show.
How Can People Watch It?
If you’re in D.C., you can watch the parade in person along the National Mall. There’ll be large screens set up near the Washington Monument for a better view. Trump and about 100 other special guests will watch from a VIP area along Constitution Avenue.
If you can’t make it there, several major TV networks — like ABC, CBS, and NBC — will be streaming the parade. NBC News Now will kick off its coverage on Saturday evening.
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Deal Structure & Funding
How Much Will It All Cost?
According to defense officials, the parade could cost the military up to $45 million. About $16 million of that is expected to cover damage repairs to streets caused by heavy tanks and equipment.
Trump defended the cost in an interview last month, saying that compared to what the military spends overall, this is “peanuts.” He added that the parade is a way to show off America’s military power, from missiles to submarines, tanks, and other weapons.
Though many have suggested the parade doubles as a birthday celebration for Trump, he downplayed that, saying, “My birthday happens to be on Flag Day. I view it for Flag Day, not necessarily my birthday.”
Protests Expected Across The Country
While the parade is happening, protests are planned in Washington and across all 50 states. Several groups, like pro-democracy organizations, labor unions, and liberal activists, have organized over 1,500 rallies nationwide. The biggest event, called the "No Kings" protest, will take place in Philadelphia rather than D.C.
In Washington itself, smaller demonstrations will happen throughout the day. Groups like Refuse Fascism are holding nonviolent marches, while the Free D.C. Project plans a “community day” called D.C. Joy Day. Though it’s not labeled as a protest, it’s clearly meant to offer an alternative to the parade.
These protests come just one week after tense demonstrations in Los Angeles over immigration raids led to National Guard and Marine deployments ordered by Trump, which sparked even more controversy. On Tuesday, Trump warned that any protest disrupting the parade would be met with “heavy force.”
When asked if Trump supports peaceful protests, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded, “Of course the president supports peaceful protests. What a stupid question.”
What About Travel And Traffic In Washington?
For people living in or visiting D.C., there will be several road closures and parking restrictions around Constitution Avenue and the National Mall. The Metro will still be running, though one entrance to the Smithsonian Metro station will be closed.
Also, Reagan National Airport in Virginia will pause all flights during the flyovers, which could affect over 100 flights. Travelers are being advised to check their schedules ahead of time.
