July 4: America set for day of fireworks and hotdogs on Independence Day 2022

American Independence Day celebrations set to return on a scale not seen since before the pandemic

Fireworks on the boardwalk at New York's historic Coney Island. Photo: Bob Jagendorf

Face-painting is often a US holiday tradition. Photo: US National Archives

The National Archives celebrates Independence Day with musical performances, a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and history-related family activities, this time in 2019 in Washington DC. Nara Photo by Jeffrey Reed.

Washington Nationals Racing Presidents stop at the National Archives to shoot a new fourth-inning race introduction video, where they were met by US Archivist David Ferriero.

Visitors read the US Constitution on display at the National Archives in Washington.

The skyrockets' red glare lights up the Washington Monument. Photo: Joseph Gruber

The National Archives celebrates Independence Day with musical performances, a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and history-related family activities on July 4, 2019, in Washington DC. NARA Photo by Jeffrey Reed.

A man and his patriotic dog show their civic pride. Photo Faith Goble

Role players recreate a scene from 1776 for an audience outside Washington's National Archives. Photo: US National Archives

Disneyland's Space Mountain and an epic fireworks display. Photo: Don Sullivan

The National Archives celebrates Independence Day with musical performances, a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and history-related family activities on July 4, 2019 in Washington DC. NARA Photo by Ted Chaffman.

Costumed role players participate in Washington's Independence Day tradition. Photo: US National Archives

Independence Day in the US is celebrated from coast to coast. Photo: US Army

Flag-bearing Fourth of July revellers rumble through the streets of middle America. Photo: Ken Mattison

Macy's department store hosts one of the nation's largest displays of fireworks on New York's East River. Photo: Dan Nguyen

A four-legged American shows its colours. Photo: Randy Robertson

Parades throughout the streets of America are a Fourth of July tradition and give classic car owners a chance to strut their stuff. Photo: Robert Couse-Baker

Residents of Berkeley, California, enjoy an evening of pyrotechnics. Photo: Daniel Parks

A giant bald eagle balloon makes its way through Washington and past the National Archives. Photo: US National Archives

The National Archives hosts an annual Independence Day celebration with musical performances, a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and history-related family activities. Photo: US National Archives

An air dancer by the National Archives on the Fourth of July in Washington. Photo: US National Archives

The National Mall, with Washington monuments and the US Capitol in the background, forms a beautiful and patriotic backdrop to America's Independence Day celebrations. Photo: Carol Highsmith

Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July, marks the date in 1776 when the 13 original colonies of North America officially declared themselves to be free from the British Crown in an event that is considered to be America's birthday.

The date has been a public holiday since 1941, and this year the US will celebrate the day with patriotic events including spectacular fireworks displays, parades, picnics and barbeques on a scale not seen since before the Covid-19 pandemic.

What US events are planned for 4th July 2022?

In Washington, the Fourth of July parade is back for the first time since 2019, and the US capital's Mayor, Muriel Bowser, invited locals and visitors to join her on the walk along a flag-festooned National Mall.

Also in Washington this weekend is the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, which features stands and displays showing Emirati culture in the Living Landscape, Living Memory exhibition.

Public celebrations in Washington were all but cancelled in 2020 as the pandemic raged but returned on a small scale last year.

In New York, a hot-dog-eating contest sees contestants gulping down as many sausages and buns as they can in 10 minutes.

The defending champ and men's record holder is Joey Chestnut, who managed 76 hot dogs in 2020. The top woman is Michelle Lesco, who ate 30.75 hot dogs at last year's event.

Not happening in Washington in 2022: a repeat of the military parade that former president Donald Trump ordered for 2019, in which F-18s flew over DC and tanks thundered down its streets.

The cost of the extravaganza raised eyebrows in Washington and locals in the heavily Democrat city worried it was more like a “Make America Great Again” rally than a joyful celebration of the nation's founding.