Carly Pearce, Trace Adkins and More Celebrate Fourth of July in Washington, D.C.

America’s 250th birthday kicked off early in Washington, D.C., on Friday, featuring a patriotic performance from a star-studded lineup. After facing a cancellation scare due to severe heat, "A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration" blazed forward despite the weather, drawing guests from all over the country to the West Lawn of the Capitol for the start of the holiday weekend.

Some of Nashville’s very own, including Carly Pearce and Trace Adkins, made an appearance at the event, alongside performers including Patti LaBelle, Kool & The Gang and Chicago. Alan Jackson also made a cameo on the broadcast with a prerecorded performance of "America the Beautiful" from the Ryman Auditorium.

Trace Adkins and Carly Pearce via Facebook

During his performance, Adkins made the exclusive TV debut of his brand-new song "American Made," and Pearce opened the program with a powerful version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" with the National Symphony Orchestra.

"It was an honor to be asked to perform the National Anthem with the National Symphony Orchestra for PBS’s A Capitol Fourth as part of America’s 250th," Pearce wrote in a social media post. "Happy 4th of July, and thank you for such an amazing experience!"

Carly Pearce via Facebook

Aside from a packed lineup of performers, the broadcast also featured tributes to the U.S. military, the Artemis II crew and the Team USA 2026 Winter Olympians and Paralympians.

President Donald Trump also participated in the July Fourth celebration, delivering a keynote speech during Saturday’s "Salute to America 250" event on the National Mall, during which he declared America’s 250th "one of the most joyous and glorious milestones of all time."

"We will always be on top," Trump said during his address. "We will never let our country fall. We will always be the best."