Fireworks, a US pop star and a fighter jet flyby: Brussels will host one of the biggest events marking the 250th anniversary of American independence this summer, according to Donald Trump’s ambassador to Belgium.<\/p>\n
Envoy Bill White told AFP the US-staged bonanza would be the “largest, biggest, best, most amazing, extraordinary, phenomenal, fantastic event outside of the president’s events in Washington.”<\/p>\n
Trump has announced a series of spectacular celebrations around the July 4 anniversary — unveiling plans to build a huge arch in the nation’s capital to mark the milestone.<\/p>\n
The Brussels festivities are planned for June 28 in the Cinquantenaire park, in the heart of the city’s European quarter.<\/p>\n
White said the event was expected to draw 5,000 people and would feature a speech by Prime Minister Bart De Wever.<\/p>\n
“We have Secretary General Mark Rutte, who’s a great friend and a great guy representing NATO, and we hope to have Ursula von der Leyen, who is representing the EU,” he said.<\/p>\n
On the US side, White said he had invited “senior people” from the Trump administration — touting a personal relationship with the president going back three decades.<\/p>\n
Guests will be treated to a flyby of US-made aircraft, a half-hour firework show, and a headline act by a “very well known” male US artist, he promised.<\/p>\n
Contacted by AFP, the offices of De Wever, Rutte and von der Leyen did not immediately confirm they would be taking part in the event.<\/p>\n
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