Start celebrating July 4th now – at the airport

The July 4th travel ‘season’ is evidently already underway, as airports around the country have already rolled out their in-terminal holiday celebrations.

Orlando Philharmonic

Courtesy Orlando International Airport (photo from 2012 performance)

Orlando International Airport starts celebrating this weekend (Liberty Weekend) with a free concert by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra in the Hyatt Regency Hotel atrium (which doubles as the main atrium of the airport) on Saturday, June 29 at 7:45 p.m.

The concert is free and in the pre-security area of the airport and everyone who attends will receive American flags, pins and three hours of complimentary parking.

Orlando International Airport has another patriotic event underway in the atrium: a display of 50 tempered-glass poppies (The Remembrance Poppies) by Craig Mitchell Smith. Poppies have been the American Legion’s symbol of  symbol of tribute to fallen soldiers since World War I.

POPPIES HI

Miami International Airport also starts celebrating early (this Friday, Saturday, Sunday and again on July 4th) with a parade in the terminals, photo ops with George Washington and other activities.

And in Washington, D.C. both Dulles International Airport and Reagan National Airport are running a fun promotion with President Obama. (Well, a cardboard cut-out of the president).

BUMPED INTO OBAMA

Starting today and running through July 7th, there will be red, white and blue menus at many airport restaurants, patriotic displays in the shops and a fun photo contest called #BumpedIntoObama.

Look for “the President” outside various shops in either airport (you can find out where he is by checking the IAD and DCA social media sites); get your picture taken with him, share the photo on Twitter or Instagram (@IADFoodandShops or @DCAFoodandShops) with the hashtag #BumpedIntoObama and you’ll not only have a fun souvenir – you’ll be entered into a daily drawing for a $25 Gift Card.

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