NPS: 'Largest fireworks show D.C. has ever seen' planned for July 4th

WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) -- New details have been released about the July 4th celebration in D.C. Officials say you can expect the biggest fireworks show the nation's capital has ever seen. FOX 5 has also learned a permit was granted to the group planning to fly a blimp mocking President Donald Trump.

The annual event will be different this year with the addition of President Trump's "Salute to America" event at the Lincoln Memorial. According to National Park Service spokesman Mike Litterst, gates will open at 3 p.m., and the event will officially get underway at 6:30 p.m. with a speech from the president. There will also be military demonstrations and flyovers. Secret Service is in charge of security.

Later in the evening, the free "Capitol Fourth" concert will be held at the Capitol at 8 p.m. and then the fireworks will start at 9:06 p.m. There will only be one show, not two.

"I think it's safe to say without much exaggeration that this is going to be the largest fireworks show D.C. has ever seen," said Litterst.

Litterst says the show will be longer than ever at 35 minutes because of donations from two fireworks companies worth nearly a million dollars.

Another difference -- the show is changing locations. The launching site has been moved toward the Tidal Basin, out of alignment with the National Mall.

Some believe it could obscure the view for those viewing from the Capitol. Congressional sources involved with planning tell Fox News people could be disappointed. Litterst disagrees.

"Fireworks go off at 1,000 feet. There are no 1,000 feet buildings between here and Capitol Hill," he said. "If you have watched the fireworks from anywhere up and down the National Mall in recent years, no matter where you're watching them from, again this year you won't have any trouble seeing them."

Litterst says the anti-Trump group Code Pink has been granted a permit to protest in July 4th. They plan to protest and fly their baby Trump blimp. What's still up in the air is where they will be allowed to set up.