No one does Independence Day like Philly. The City of “Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection” has owned the Fourth of July since 1776. It wasn’t until 1993 that Welcome America became the nation’s largest celebration of Independence Day, sponsoring a week long family friendly party. This year’s Welcome America 2014 festival shows just how Philly Owns the Fourth!
This year’s celebration has something for everyone: Philly’s own, The Roots, are back as the house band for the big night. Other entertainers include Jennifer Hudson, Aloe Blacc, Nicki Minaj, Ed Sheeran, Ariana Grande with Vicki Martinez.
The information below was taken from the Welcome America website. Wawa Welcome America! is a multi-day festival that celebrates America’s birthday in America’s birthplace, Philadelphia. Wawa joined the festival as the title sponsor in 2010. For more information, please visit www.welcomeamerica.com, like them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/wawawelcomeamerica) and follow them on Twitter and Instagram (@July4thPhilly).
A detailed event schedule follows below. All events are free, unless otherwise noted.
SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2014
WHAT: Liberty Block Party
WHERE: The Shops at Liberty Place, 1625 Chestnut Street
WHEN: Noon – 10:00 p.m.
The largest block party of the summer, the Liberty Block Party will offer Philadelphian residents and visitors an opportunity to explore the city’s diverse food scene and some of its finest live entertainment. Legendary R&B group New Edition will be on hand to help kick-off the 2014 festival and be honored by Mayor Nutter. Matthew Schuler, a finalist from Season 5 of NBC’s The Voice, and jazz soloist Kellylee Evans will be among the many performers at Liberty Block Party. Entry and entertainment are free, food and drinks must be purchased.
SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2014
WHAT: Mural Arts Paint Day
WHERE: East Parkside, 1100 N. 41st Street
WHEN: Noon – 4:00 p.m.
Residents of Philadelphia will join the City of Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program, Wawa Welcome America!, Wells Fargo and LISC for a community paint day in one of President Obama’s newly designated Promise Zones and get the chance to help create one of Philadelphia’s famed murals
MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014
WHAT: Go 4th & Learn About Science
WHERE: Academy of Natural Science, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
WHEN: 10:00 a.m.
Go 4th & Learn is an exciting series of interactive, educational programs for young children and their parents. At Go 4th & Learn About Science, attendees will enjoy special programming and free museum admission all-day courtesy of Wawa. The first 200 children will receive a free book and Wawa Welcome America! gift bag.
WHAT: Philly @ the Movies: Disney’s “Frozen”
WHERE: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street
WHEN: 9:00 p.m.
The Philly @ the Movies series offers visitors and residents the opportunity to enjoy free, family-friendly cinematic classics on the big screen at great venues across the city. For the kick-off of the 2014 Philly @ the Movies program, attendees can view one of this year’s must-see films for children and adults alike, Disney’s “Frozen”.
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 2014
WHAT: Go 4th & Learn About Fitness
WHERE: Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse, 300 Reservoir Drive
WHEN: 10:00 a.m.
Go 4th & Learn continues with a morning of fitness and fun. Go 4th & Learn About Fitness will take place at the Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse, a 6.5 acre playground that includes the Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide and more than 50 unique, child-friendly and accessible pieces of play equipment. The first 200 children will receive a free book and Wawa Welcome America! gift bag.
WHAT: Philadelphia Orchestra Neighborhood Concert
WHERE: Penn’s Landing, 301 S. Columbus Boulevard
WHEN: 8:00 p.m.
The Philadelphia Orchestra Neighborhood Concert will feature the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra in a free concert on the River Stage at the Great Plaza, followed by a small land-side fireworks salute.
WHAT: Philly @ the Movies: “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”
WHERE: Rittenhouse Square
WHEN: 9:00 p.m.
The Philly @ the Movies series continues with the second installment of the Hunger Games series, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.” Movie-goers will be able to cheer on the triumphant leading lady, Katniss Everdeen as she returns to the Hunger Games arena.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 2014
WHAT: Go 4th & Learn About History
WHERE: National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street
WHEN: 10:00 a.m.
Go 4th & Learn continues with a morning of special programming, live musical performances, and an exhibition on the history of the hoagie for our Go 4th & Learn About History event. Free admission to the National Constitution Center will be provided all day as part of Wawa Hoagie Day. The first 200 children will receive a free book and Wawa Welcome America! gift bag.
WHAT: PHL Photo Exhibit
WHERE: Philadelphia Airport, 8000 Essington Avenue
WHEN: 10:00 a.m.
WHAT: Wawa Hoagie Day
WHERE: Independence Visitor Center Lawn, Market Street between 5th and 6th Streets
WHEN: Noon
Philadelphians will once again enjoy Wawa Hoagie Day as it returns to the Independence Visitor Center’s lawn across the street from the Liberty Bell. Mayor Nutter will join Wawa associates and hoagie-lovers from across the Philadelphia region to celebrate Hoagie Day. To commemorate the day, 5 tons worth of hoagies will be served for free to thousands as Wawa salutes our military, fire and police at this patriotic event.
WHAT: Philly @ the Movies: “Rocky”
WHERE: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
WHEN: 9:00 p.m.
The Philly @ the Movies series continues with a free screening of “Rocky”, the iconic boxing film shot in and around Philadelphia. Movie-goers will watch this classic from the very steps that made Rocky a lifelong legend.
THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014
WHAT: POPS! On Independence
WHERE: Steps of Independence Hall, 6th and Chestnut Streets
WHEN: 8:00 p.m.
The Philly Pops! return to celebrate America’s birthday with POPS! On Independence, a free concert at Independence Hall. Conductor Larry Blank and guest soloist Capathia Jenkins will take part in this year’s show. Seating is first come, first served, and concert goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy one of Philadelphia’s most popular Fourth of July traditions.
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014
WHAT: Celebration of Freedom Ceremony
WHERE: Steps of Independence Hall, 6th and Chestnut Streets
WHEN: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Philadelphians can pay tribute to our nation at the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony featuring music, inspiring remarks, and a reading of excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, among other special elements. This year’s ceremony will recognize the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 60th anniversary of the Brown vs. Board Supreme Court decision. There will be performances by Matthew Schuler, Keystone State Boychoir and Pennsylvania Girlchoir, and the principle dancers from Debbie Allen’s production, Brothers of the Knight.
WHAT: Philadelphia Independence Day Parade
WHERE: Throughout Historic Philadelphia
WHEN: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Starting in front of Independence Hall, more than 5,000 participants from across the nation – including Miss America, marching bands, floats, military organizations and several special performance teams – will be taking part in the annual Philadelphia Independence Day Parade through historic Philadelphia. Residents of all ages will enjoy the patriotic pageantry of the most diverse Independence Day Parade in the country as it winds through the nation’s most historic square mile.
Parade Route: The parade will step off at 5th and Chestnut Streets, then travel West on Chestnut Street to 9th Street. It will then turn right onto 9th Street, before heading down Market Street toward Front Street. The parade finishes by marching down Front Street to Chestnut Street. Total route is 1.2 miles long.
WHAT: Let Freedom Ring
WHERE: Independence Square, 5th & Market Streets
WHEN: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The ceremony starts on Independence Square and concludes with a symbolic tapping of the Liberty Bell.
WHAT: Party on the Parkway
WHERE: Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 20th Street to Eakins Oval
WHEN: Noon – 7:00 p.m.
The highly anticipated, day-long Party on the Parkway kicks off at Noon on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 21st Street, featuring blocks of exciting activities, games, entertainment and food fit for the whole family. Party on the Parkway offers a wealth of musical programming throughout the day on the Global Music and Questlove Stages. Food vendors will fill the Parkway cooking up delicious food to delight the whole family.
WHAT: Philly 4th of July Jam and Grand Finale Fireworks
WHERE: Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Benjamin Franklin Parkway and 21st St
WHEN: 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
The Wawa Welcome America! Philly 4th of July Jam, the “Largest Free Concert in America”, is back. An array of the brightest and boldest talent on the national music scene will perform alongside The Roots on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. 2014 performers include: Nicki Minaj, Ed Sheeran, Jennifer Hudson, Aloe Blacc, Ariana Grande, and Vicci Martinez. A spectacular fireworks display over the Philadelphia Museum of Art will follow the performances and cap off the day.
POST-FESTIVAL COMMUNITY EVENT:
SATURDAY, JULY 5 and SUNDAY, JULY 6, 2014
WHAT: Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival
WHERE: Penn’s Landing
WHEN: Noon – 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Saturday), Noon – 5:00 p.m. (Sunday) Come down to the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing to make a sweet donation to support the Joshua Kahan Fund’s fight against pediatric leukemia while enjoying scoops of family fun at the annual Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival. $7 general admission .
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