APPLENEWS - STORY ADD

Disney Celebrates America live updates: Eagle-eye view of Great American State Fair

ABC News' Mary Bruce took viewers to the top of the fair's Ferris wheel.

ABC is marking America's 250th anniversary with 24 hours of unparalleled programming called "Disney Celebrates America."

The multi-platform broadcast, led by ABC News "World News Tonight" anchor David Muir, features coverage across all 50 states and runs through the night of July 4.


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ABC to host Star-Spangled Bash in Nashville with performances from iconic artists

On Saturday night, after a special edition of "World News Tonight," ABC will host the Star-Spangled Bash in Nashville, featuring performances from artists including Reba McEntire, Nick Jonas, Boyz II Men, Tim McGraw, Brothers Osborne and Lauren Daigle.


Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to gather in downtown Nashville for the bash, which is hosted by Ryan Seacrest and airs at 8 p.m. ET.

The event will also feature one of the largest fireworks and drone shows in the U.S., set to a live score by the Nashville Symphony.


DC prepares for National Mall's largest fireworks display

Washington, D.C., is preparing for its largest fireworks display ever held on the National Mall Saturday night.

The fireworks are expected to begin between 10:30 and 11 p.m. and will launch from 10 sites around the National Monument, officials told ABC News. The show is expected to last approximately 35 minutes.

Officials said the secured viewing area on the Washington Monument grounds has a capacity of approximately 150,000 people and is expected to fill early.

The Secret Service is coordinating the broader security operation for the celebration, which has been designated as a National Special Security Event, bringing extensive coordinated federal, state and local security resources to D.C.

“While we are confident in our planning, we recognize that we are in a heightened threat environment,” Secret Service Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Office Tara McLeese said.

“This weekend, hundreds of federal agents and officers, including Secret Service specialized tactical units, counter drone teams, National Guard members, and a variety of additional unseen resources will be used to disrupt any bad actor,” McLeese said.


-ABC News’ Beatrice Peterson


Coast Guard surges resources to protect July 4 celebrations


The Coast Guard is surging resources to help secure July 4 celebrations in Washington, D.C., and around the country, the head of the agency said.

"We've surged over 1,000 additional people, in addition to our regular Coast Guard forces, 79 boats to 13 cities to make sure we are prepared for any contingency, and we can prevent or respond to any threat," Adm. Kevin Lunday, commandant of the Coast Guard told ABC News' Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas.

For the first time, a large swath of the Potomac around the D.C. monuments will be closed to boaters to make way for a larger than normal fireworks display on the Fourth.

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New citizens take oath at Jefferson's estate

ABC News' Steve Osunsami takes viewers to President Thomas Jefferson's estate in Monticello, Virginia, where 75 people were naturalized as citizens in a special ceremony. The new citizens hail from countries including Alegria and Ukraine.