Around Arlington on Thursday, parades were held, hotdogs and burgers were grilled, and thousands flocked to the Iwo Jima memorial, the Air Force Memorial, Long Bridge Park and elsewhere to watch the fireworks.

The photos above, from our Flickr pool, captured some of the Independence Day joy experienced by friends and family, young and old.

Photos by DDimick, BrianMKA, J Sonder, Wolfkann, Mrs. Gemstone, Ameschen and ARLnow.com