Introducing Alfonso Ribeiro & the Muppets of Sesame Street

(exciting orchestral music) (crowd applauding) - Woo!

Happy Fourth of July, America!

(audience cheers) Yes, I am so honored to have been asked to host this year's "A Capitol Fourth."

Now, growing up in New York, this day was always so important to my family, but wherever you're from, north, south, east, west, what we all have in common is a respect and love for this great country of ours, immense gratitude for the opportunities it has given our families, and a shared dream of a better tomorrow for everyone in our nation.

It's why hundreds of thousands of people, an American portrait of red, white, and blue, are here for tonight's festivities, ready for a night of music and dancing, fun and fireworks.

You know, wait, let me rephrase that.

For the best fireworks in the land!

Am I right?

(audience cheers) Yeah, well, they've come here to D.C. from every state in the country.

We can see them from across the Potomac, at the Lincoln Memorial, on the National Mall, and here, on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol, united in their love of country.

(audience cheers) Now, "united," that's such an important word, not just today, but every day.

And what makes this day even more fun is that we're joined by two very special friends of mine from "Sesame Street," Elmo and Cookie Monster!

- Hi!

- Hey!

Mwah, mwah, mwah!

(Elmo giggling) - Hello!

- Hi!

- Yeah.

- Oh, Mr. Alfonso!

Hi!

- [Alfonso] Hi.

- We're so happy to be here!

- Yeah!

- Yeah.

- Look at all these people.

- Yeah.

- Mhm.

- Wow.

- Even the Count couldn't count them all.

- Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

- Come on, everybody.

Wave your flags.

(audience cheers) Yeah!

- Yeah, yeah!

- [Cookie Monster] Wow, look at all these waving flags!

- Wow.

- Whoa.

- Pretty awesome, right?

Now, Elmo and Cookie Monster, we are so happy to have friends like you here, celebrating with us.

(bright music)