“A Capitol Fourth” Welcomes Alfonso Ribeiro as Host of America’s 43rd Annual Independence Day Celebration

Broadcast Live from the U.S. Capitol with Real-Time Performances and Fireworks

• Christina Zeiders
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  Christina Zeiders is the Communications Specialist at WITF. She helps get the word out about all of WITF's programs, events and community conversations.

This July 4, PBS welcomes iconic actor Alfonso Ribeiro as host of the 43^rd annual A Capitol Fourth Independence Day celebration. Broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, the celebration airs on WITF TV, the PBS or WITF app, and on YouTube on Tuesday, July 4 at 8:00pm.

The award-winning program puts you front and center for America’s biggest birthday party with the greatest fireworks display lighting up Washington D.C.’s iconic skyline.

Ribeiro will lead a patriotic extravaganza of live musical performances by top stars across musical genres. Featured performers include:

• Chicago, multi-Grammy Award-winning legendary rock and roll band
• Boyz II Men, Grammy Award-winning and best-selling R&B group of all time
• Belinda Carlisle, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and co-founder/lead vocalist of the Go-Go’s
• Babyface, 12-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist, songwriter, and producer
• Maddie & Tae, multi-platinum country duo and CMT Award-winner
• Charles Esten, artist-songwriter and star of global hit series Outer Banks and Nashville
• Ruthie Ann Miles, Tony Award-winning Broadway star of The King and I and currently starring in her Tony-nominated role in the hit Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd
• The Broadway cast of A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical featuring Will Swenson and Robyn Hurder
• National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly

The evening will also feature fun for kids of all ages with Elmo and Cookie Monster from Sesame Street, a special tribute to our men and women in uniform and their families by five-time Grammy-winner Renée Fleming, a special Independence Day message from astronauts on the International Space Station, and a musical medley featuring The U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own,” during the fireworks display.

A musical finale will be accompanied by live cannon fire provided by the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery – an A Capitol Fourth tradition.

The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, Members of the Armed Forces carrying the State and Territorial Flags, the Armed Forces Color Guard provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C., the Choral Arts Society of Washington, and Patrick Lundy & The Ministers of Music will also take part in the celebration.

Watch A Capitol Fourth on WITF TV Tuesday, July 4 at 8:00pm, with an encore at 9:30pm. You can also listen to the program live on WITF 89.5 & 93.3 or the WITF app on July 4 starting at 8:00pm.

Stream the celebration for free using the PBS or WITF app starting July 4 through July 18.