by Lexi Bissonnette
Cool drinks, summer breezes, barbecue food and fireworks all fit the ideal image of a 4th of July party. But Philadelphia kicks the country’s birthday up a notch with all that and more. A week long celebration, Welcome America Festival, sponsored by Wawa includes all that and the “largest free concert in America”.
This week-long celebration begins July 1st 2013 and runs until July 7th 2013. It’s fun filled and star studded. Activities will include outside movie, learning stations about Wawa and America, Hoagie Day celebration, photo exhibits, a parade, tastings, July Jam and of course a spectacular fireworks show. July Jam, the nations largest free concert is of course July 4th itself and has an amazing musical lineup.
Performances at July Jam will include: John Mayer, Jill Scott, Demi Lovato, Ne-Yo, Grace Potter, J. Cole, Ben Taylor, hometown band The Roots, and Kevin Hart hosting the concert. Marsha Ambrosius will also perform later, on the 6th at a Taste of Philadelphia.
The concert isn’t the only event, even if it is the biggest. Activities start out smaller in number and grow as the week goes offering more and more for families and friends to do to celebrate the country’s birthday.
(photo by Michael Branscom for Welcome America Inc and ESM Productions)
Monday, July 1st:
10am-noon: Storytelling about Wawa dairies @ Franklin Square
10am-1pm:Wawa Interactive Dairy and History Area
9pm: Free showing of “Silver Linings Playbook” @Rittenhouse Square
Tuesday, July 2nd: Hoagie Day!
10am-noon: musical performances and the history of the Hoagie @ The National Constitution Center with admission to the museum free all day!
10am: Photo exhibits- Philadelphia’s Literary Legacy: Selected Authors, Playwrights, and Poets at Philadelphia International Airport’s Terminal A-East
Noon-2pm: Wawa will serve a 4.5 ton Hoagie in honor of the 21st annual Hoagie Day @ Independence Visitor Center
8:05pm: Philadelphia Orchestra Neighborhood Concert @ Penn’s Landing
9pm: Free showing of “Rocky” @ Philadelphia Museum of Art
Wednesday, July 3rd:
10am-noon: Fitness learning @ Smith Memorial Playground
8pm: POPS! On Independence @ Independence Hall
Thursday, July 4th: Happy Birthday America!
10am-11am: Freedom Ceremony @ Independence Hall Steps
11am-12:30: Philadelphia Independence Day Parade taking place throughout historic Philadelphia
1pm-2pm: Let Freedom Ring @ Independence Square
12pm-7pm: Party on the Parkway @ 20th Street to Eakins Oval
7pm-11pm: July Jam@ 20th Street to Eakins Oval
Friday, July 5th:
Noon-10pm: A Taste of Philadelphia @ Penn’s Landing. Free admission and tons of food trucks!
Saturday, July 6th:
Noon-10pm: A Taste of Philadelphia @ Penn’s Landing complete with performance by Marsha Ambrosius and the famous Adventure Aquarium Waterfront Fireworks.
Sunday, July 7th:
Noon- 3pm: Final Day of A Taste of Philadelphia @ Penn’s Landing
With a schedule like that you don’t want to miss a day of the celebration fun. Come celebrate America’s Birthday with Philadelphia. For more information on the artists and about Welcome America visit: http://www.welcomeamerica.com/
