National Independence Day Parade canceled for the second year in a row

Though many coronavirus-related restrictions across the country have loosened, the National Park Service announced on Thursday that the annual Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C. will not take place this year.

"Logistics and planning limitations" related to COVID-19 made it impossible to fully organize the groups who travel to the nation's capital to march in the event, according to the service.  "We are unable to stage a successful event without the excitement and sound provided by these high school bands, drill teams and other youth organizations," spokesperson Mike Litterst said in the statement.