People paraded down main streets in patriotic red, white and blue. In Brooklyn, a crowd in mustard-yellow foam hats descended on the Coney Island boardwalk to watch hot dog fanatics devour dozens of franks. And across the country, people were expected to gather in large cities and small towns to gaze at fireworks crackling in the sky above.
On Friday, cookouts, parades and parties in celebration of America’s 249th birthday were played out at a moment of intense division for the United States. Some communities in the Los Angeles area canceled their Fourth of July celebrations over fears of immigration raids, while organizers of some Independence Day events planned to use them to protest the Trump administration’s agenda.
Even so, displays of patriotism abounded. Families decorated their cars and yards with the Stars and Stripes, and newly naturalized citizens marked the day at ceremonies in several states.
Here’s how celebrations looked around the nation:
Washington, D.C.
The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps performed outside the National Archives.
Brooklyn
People waiting for the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest to begin in Coney Island, Brooklyn.
Edmond, Okla.
Cub Scouts helped to keep the Stars and Stripes aloft during the LibertyFest Parade.
Danville, Vt.
The North Danville Community Club’s Fourth of July Parade.
Brooklyn
People began gathering early at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island for the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Southhampton, N.Y.
A World War II veteran waves to the crowd during a Fourth of July parade.
Alexandria, Va.
Randa Alakkad, originally from Syria, took the oath of allegiance to become a U.S. citizen at an outdoor naturalization ceremony at Mount Vernon.
Brooklyn
Joey Chestnut devoured 70.5 hot dogs in 10 minutes to win his 17th title at the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Johnstown, Pa.
Russ Lauf, right, joined Holly and Tim Rigby in leading participants of the annual Fourth of July Flag Parade in Johnstown.
Brooklyn
Miki Sudo, the reigning women’s champion at the Nathan’s contest, won handily by eating 33 hot dogs but fell short of her record of 51.
McAllen, Texas
People decorated their cars before taking part in the McAllen Fourth of July Parade.