Here in the nation’s capital, Fourth of July celebrations were both exuberant and challenging as people flocked from across the country to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday, battling heat, extreme weather and a mandatory evacuation.

Freedom250, a group commissioned by President Donald Trump, created a Great American State Fair on the National Mall and a dedicated venue to the Salute to America event.

The event was scheduled to feature military flyovers, military band performances, a speech from the president and a world-record-breaking fireworks show.

Typically, D.C.’s fireworks show on the Fourth lasts around 20 minutes, has about 20,000 fireworks and starts around 9:30 p.m. EDT. This year’s show was scheduled to break a 2016 world record with 850,000 fireworks from 10 different locations and last about an hour.

Severe weather forced Freedom250 to conduct a mandatory evacuation and delayed Trump’s speech and the fireworks. But the show went on.

Here’s how it all played out.

Midnight EDT

Trump wrapped up his remarks and the world-record fireworks show was set to start, with more than 800,000 fireworks. Officials had yet to confirm if the storm had impacted that plan.

“We have a great fireworks display tonight, and I’m going to be watching it with you. It’s going to start very quickly, so thank you very much,” Trump said in conclusion.

11:15 p.m. EDT

Trump walked onstage at approximately 11:15 p.m. EDT and was met with “USA” chants from the crowds. He said there were an estimated 375,000 people at the National Mall before the evacuations and there were now 150,000 after the rain.

He said organizers did the right thing with the evacuation and he would have spoken to one person at 4 a.m. if he had to.

“There’s no way we can be deterred,” he said, later adding, “This is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. There’s nothing like it.”

From 1776 to 2026, Trump said the country was stronger, richer and prouder “than ever before” but it all started with the founding document.

During his remarks, Trump unveiled several commemorative and historic American flags, including one from D-Day and what he said is one of the oldest flags to ever exist. They were the “stars and stripes that flew triumphant” when the British surrendered, he said.

Additionally, a flag hoisted at Iwo Jima was presented and met with “USA” chants again.

Trump reiterated some remarks from Friday night, when he spoke at Mount Rushmore. It is the second time in recent days that he’s spoken about communism following the wins of several Democratic socialists in primary elections across the country. It’s notable that winning the November midterm elections is a primary concern of the president’s.

“America will never be a communist country. Won’t happen,” he said, being met with applause and cheers. “Communism is a loser, and it always will be.”

The NASA Artemis II crew, who just flew by the moon, joined Trump on stage. It was the only flight of that length since 1972 and Trump acknowledged how historic and closely-watched their journey was. They were awarded a “special award” from the White House and Trump said from the moon, the U.S. would head next to Mars.

Trump acknowledged the country’s history, and all that the military service members have given for the country to reach 250 years.

“As we celebrate America’s unmatched achievements and unlimited potential, we never forget that none of this would have been possible without those who gave everything so that we could reach this 250 years of freedom,” he said.

Trump and the crowd celebrated the event continuing on after the storms. Met by cheers, he said the flag still waves “proud and free and beautiful.”

“As we can see here tonight, after 250 years, the spirit of 1776 still lives within us all. It still roars in the hearts of our nation’s capital. It still burns in the heart of evert American, thunders through every city and town,” Trump said. “And there is nothing like that at 250 years old, we may be the oldest constitutional republic on Earth but our country is just getting started, because the best is yet to come.

“This is the only dawn of the golden age of America, and on this 250th Fourth of July, we declare, just as they did two and half centuries ago, that for our country, and for our children, and for the cause of liberty, we are going to take our country to new levels, to levels not reached. We’re going to make it bigger, better, stronger and we’re going to love it even more.

“And I just want to thank you. And the inconvenience of lightning can do that, but lightning will never stop you.”

11 p.m. EDT

After the mandatory evacuation, many people left the downtown Washington area, but many also stayed. Metro transit situations were packed full of people and museums and other government buildings were at capacity as attendees waited out the storm.

Even with the rain still coming down, Freedom250 and Trump announced the show would go on.

Gates reopened to attendees and it was pure chaos as masses pushed through to get to the venue space. It was unclear what the security situation would be like after the evacuation, since it was tight earlier in the day.

Some of the president’s favorite songs were played before he spoke, including “Ave Maria” and “God Bless America.”

9 p.m. EDT

Freedom250 announced that rain or shine, Trump would be delivering his remarks, allowing attendees to enter the reopened event. It’s unclear if attendees will have to go through security again and if they would be allowed to bring umbrellas. The security was strict for the event and attendees were limited in the items they could bring through security.

Some online were asking if fireworks could go before Trump speaks as children are exhausted. Others said staff and official emails are saying different things.

Trump told Fox News’ Bret Baier that no matter what time of night, his remarks would be broadcasted, even if it was 10 p.m. or 2 a.m. He said troops stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day in inclement weather, so he could deliver his remarks in it, too.

The current plan is for Trump to speak at 11 p.m. with the fireworks show to follow.

7 p.m. EDT

Flyovers continued to play out but with severe storms approaching, Freedom250 made the decision to have a mandatory evacuation. Some people orderly left the area but others refused to leave. It was a fairly chaotic scene as so many people funneled through the area.

“The safety of our guests, performers and staff is our top priority,” the organization said in a statement.

Due to the activities downtown, Secret Service, local police and other law enforcement members had blocked off many of the National Mall’s surrounding blocks.

Once the announcement was made, hundreds, if not thousands, navigated the city streets looking for some place to go. Nearby museums were an option provided by the administration.

While evacuating, Trump’s new Air Force One and other military flyovers continued, prompting cheers from disappointed — and at times angry — attendees. Some people were refusing to leave the area and clashed with Secret Service.

Trump, who was slated to speak this evening to the crowd, has not commented on the evacuation.

It’s currently unclear if the event will go on, but no one is allowed within the security perimeter at this time. Meteorologists predict rain could persist for one to two hours.

5:45 p.m. EDT

Crowds pour into the venue space, greeted with country music and a stage with red, white, blue and gold light and decor.

It’s still a toasty 97 degrees and there’s still several hours until sunset. Some scattered showers shortly may help bring the temperature down.

4:30 p.m. EDT

I’ve made it inside the Salute to America event grounds just in time to see the military flyovers. They were SO loud!

Now, we wait until programming starts at 7 p.m. There will be live performances and more ahead of Trump’s speech tonight.

I’m taking a quick and much-appreciated breather in the large cooling tent. They also have water stations and food and beverage tents.

There seemed to be a bit of a mix-up with the public thinking they could enter the grounds at a different street, but in actuality, a block away, there was a huge line forming hours in advance.

3 p.m. EDT

I arrived at the National Mall, greeted by the most people I’ve ever seen in downtown D.C. in my three years of living here.

Despite the blistering temperatures, people showed out. Merchandise in honor of Trump and the 250th was being sold, water bottles were being offered out at street corners by officials and people sought any slice of shade they could find. Still, spirits were high here on the National Mall.

Lines were very long for the Great American State Fair and members of the National Guard ushered fair goers through the gates.

Upon my arrival, I’ve seen several flyovers already and am feeling really glad I bought a mister fan. The local meteorologists just said temperatures have hit 101, making this the hottest July Fourth on record.

Weather, heat and protests

The East Coast is currently being hit with a heat wave, with temperatures in recent days exceeding 100 degrees. The Salute to America event pushed back the public’s entry time to a later — and cooler — time of 5 p.m. The local D.C. parade was canceled due to high temperatures and fairgoers are encouraged to take relief in cooling stations and drink free water at various locations.

On Friday, the event was temporarily closed and 44 people were hospitalized, according to Newsweek.

Additionally, one reporter shared online that members of the group Patriot Front were masked and marching across Capitol Hill with American flags and a few Confederate flags.

Conversely, there were protests of the Trump administration, with groups near the White House chanting “8647.” The number “86″ has been slang for removing or getting rid of something and “47″ refers to Trump being the 47th president.

Trump’s message at Mount Rushmore

On Friday evening, Trump addressed a crowd at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota to kick off the weekend of celebrations. His message, while patriotic and highlighting the men etched into the rock above, also examined the future of the country.

“Their faces are engraved on these bluffs, not only because of what they did, but to remind us forever who we are,” Trump said. “These heroes exemplify what is timeless, enduring and eternal about the American character.”

It also was a political and anti-Communist speech. He claimed that a newfound sense of Communism in the United States is the greatest threat to the country, more than any of the wars the nation has fought. The remarks come after Democratic socialists have won primary races in states across the country.

“You can be loyal to Karl Marx, or you can be loyal to America,” Trump said. “You can be a communist, or you can be a patriot. You cannot be both.”

Follow along as I check out the patriotic festivities happening around the city this year.