This is for me as much as it’s for you. I need to be in the know. It’s my FAVORITE time of year!! (I’ll be adding to it as things pop up of interest, so check back. Follow me on Twitter @iphillychitchat for updates and on the site reporting. thanks HughE
Wawa Welcome America! Announces Details of 10-Day Celebration of America’s Birthday in Philadelphia
Wawa Welcome America! 2012, the country’s largest, free July 4th celebration,
will feature two fireworks displays, ‘The Largest Free Concert in
America,’ the nation’s most diverse Independence Day Parade and
unparalleled Taste of Philadelphia food event
(PHILADELPHIA) April 26, 2012 –
Whether it is July 4, 1776 or July 4, 2012, Philadelphia is the only
place to celebrate America’s birthday. People of all ages are invited to
the City of Brotherly Love to make lifetime memories at Wawa Welcome
America! — the nation’s largest, free 4th of July festival — from June 25 to July 4, 2012. With 10 patriotic days packed with free, family
fun, Philadelphia rolls out the “red, white and blue” carpet to area
natives and visitors from the Greater Philadelphia region and across the
nation.
A detailed event schedule follows below. All events are free, unless otherwise noted.
Philly @ the Movies – Special Movie Preview: “The Amazing Spider-Man™”
Ritz Movie Theatre, Date and Location to be announced, 7 p.m.
Be
one of the first people to watch as one of the world’s most popular
characters returns to the big screen and a new chapter in the Spider-Man
legacy is revealed. A limited number of ticketed Wawa Welcome America!
guests will have the opportunity to see this film several days before
its release date of July 3.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Go 4th & Learn about History
Franklin Square, 6th and Race Streets,
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Storytelling
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wawa Interactive Dairy and History Area
Go 4th & Learn is an exclusive series of five free educational programs for young children and their parents. The first Go 4th & Learn installment, Go 4th &
Learn About History, will begin at Franklin Square. Children will hear
stories and alsolearn about the history of dairy, courtesy of Wawa.
Lessons in cow milking,photo opportunities with a milkmaid,
make-and-take arts and crafts, face painting and more will be available
throughout the day.
Philly @ the Movies – “The Great Gatsby”
Rittenhouse Square, 9 p.m.
ThePhilly
@ the Movies series offers visitors and residents the “blockbuster”
opportunity to enjoy free, family-friendly cinematic classics on the big
screen at great venues across the city. For the exciting kickoff to the
2012 Philly @ the Movies program, bring the whole family to Rittenhouse
Square to see the classic film “The Great Gatsby”
starring RobertRedford and Mia Farrow. Before the movie, enjoy a free
fashion show at one of Philadelphia’s most “see and be seen” locations.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Go 4th & Learn About Your Imagination
Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Go 4th &
Learn continues with a morning of interactive exhibit zones designed to
encourage learning through play at The Please Touch Museum at Memorial
Hall in Fairmount Park.
Philly @ the Movies – “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”
Piazza at Schmidts, 1050 North Hancock Street, 9 p.m.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of one of Philadelphia’s bustling neighborhood hubs, The Piazza at Schmidts. Please check
www.welcomeamerica.com for updates.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Go 4th & Learn about Fitness
SmithMemorial Playground & Playhouse, East Fairmount Park, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Break a sweat in the third installment of the Go 4th &
Learn educational series! Kids can enjoy the 6.5 acre playground which
includes the legendary, one-of-a-kind Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide and
more than 50 pieces of unique, age-appropriate and accessible pieces of
play equipment.
Wawa Hoagie Day – Stars, Stripes & Hoagies Forever!
Independence Visitor Center Lawn at Independence National Historical Park, 520-525 Chestnut Street,
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Hoagie
Day returns to the Independence Visitor’s lawn across from the Liberty
Bell, Mayor Nutter will join Wawa associates and hoagie-lovers across
Philadelphia to celebrate ourfamous Hoagie Day!
This
year’s Hoagie Day will increase our focus on honoring our troops and
expanding on Wawa’s partnership with the USO. Wawa will present a check
to the USO that represents the proceeds from our in-store collection
campaign for the USO. During the event, guests will again have the
chance to visit the “letters from home” station and extend their
gratitude, thoughts and thanks to our troops. Philadelphia police
officers, firefighters, and branches of the military will compete in a
hoagie-building contest to benefit local charitable organizations.
Philly @ the Movies – “Rocky”
Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 9 p.m.
Yo!
The free Philly @ the Movies series continues with “Rocky,” the beloved
boxing film shot in and around Philadelphia. Bring your friends and
family and watch the film right at the famous steps where the Rocky
legacy lives forever.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Go 4th & Learn about Mummers
The Mummers Museum, 1100 South 2nd Street, South Philadelphia, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Bring
the whole family to this morning event to learn about the unique
history and culture of Philadelphia’s New Year’s Day tradition, the
Mummers.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Go 4th & Learn about Animals
The Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 West Girard Avenue, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Come
visit with more than 1,300 rare and endangered animals from around the
world at “America’s First Zoo.” Kids will discover educational
experiences, entertaining activities and interactive fun while learning
about the many different animals that call the Philadelphia Zoo home.
PHL Photo Exhibit
Philadelphia International Airport (Terminal To Be Announced) 10 a.m.
Check our website for further details.
Taste of Philadelphia Kickoff Featuring Jazz and Blues on the Waterfront
Penn’s Landing, 301 S. Columbus Blvd, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Wawa Welcome America! invites visitors and Philadelphians alike to ignite their taste buds at Taste of Philadelphia, a signature three-day food sampling event that begins this evening. Each year, Taste of Philadelphia continues
to expand its food offerings, family friendly activities and free music
entertainment – with 2012 set to be the “biggest bite” for food lovers yet.
In
addition to some of Philadelphia’s most notable restaurants,
Philadelphia’s famous food trucks will line the Chestnut Street bridge
offering a unique twist on the traditional sidewalk cart. As guests dine
on local favorites, their eyes and ears will take “note” – not only of
the sounds of some of the nation’s most storied jazz and blues musicians
but also of the beautiful views of historic Philadelphia. Entertainment
and admission to Penn’s Landing for Taste of Philadelphia are free — with bite-sized dishes from restaurants and food trucks offered at a few dollars each.
Throughout the duration of Taste of Philadelphia, world-class blues and jazz artists will
entertain guests on two stages — the RiverStage at Penn’s Landing and
the Old City Stage at Front and Chestnut Streets. Musical line-up for
Taste of Philadelphia will be announced soon, so check back frequently
for updates.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Taste of Philadelphia Concert and Fireworks Spectacular, Sponsored by Adventure Aquarium
Penn’s Landing, 301 S. Columbus Blvd, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Local
Philadelphia culinary favorites are served up for another day as our
headliner lights up the stage with a soulful performance.
During the afternoon, Taste attendees will be the first to hear performances from thefinalists of the 2nd Annual
Wawa Welcome America! Singer/Songwriter Competition. The acts will
perform before Philadelphia music industry judges on the RiverStage in
the hopes of being crowned the 2012 winner.
Later that evening, Taste will
end with a bang – literally – as a brilliant fireworks display,
sponsored by Adventure Aquarium, illuminates the sky over the Delaware
River.
Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival
Walnut West Parking Lot, at Columbus Blvd. and Walnut Street, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Guests
are invited to enjoy an all-you-can-eat ice cream buffet benefiting the
Joshua Kahan Fund, fighting to cure pediatric cancer. $7 admission is
required to enter.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Taste of Philadelphia Gospel Sunday
Penn’s Landing, 301 S. Columbus Blvd, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Come back for a third round of local culinary favorites as the Taste of Philadelphia celebration
dishes out food nirvana, courtesy of local eateries. Enjoy the sights
of the Delaware River waterfront and the sounds of some special gospel
choirs which will perform inspiring and uplifting sets along the
waterfront at the RiverStage.
Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival
Walnut West Parking Lot, at Columbus Blvd. and Walnut Street, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Guests
are invited to enjoy an all-you-can-eat ice cream buffet benefiting the
Joshua Kahan Fund, fighting to cure pediatric cancer. $7 admission is
required to enter.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Philly @ the Movies –“Why Did I Get Married?”
The Dell Music Center, North 33rd Street, 9 p.m.
Once
the sun goes down, the big screen goes up for a night of movie
entertainment under the stars. Enjoy Tyler Perry’s 2007 hit, “Why Did I
Get Married?,” at the Dell Music Center.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
MuralArts Paint Day
Check out our website for further details.
“POPS! on Independence”
Independence Hall, 8 p.m.
Peter Nero and the Philly Pops!® return to celebrate
America’s birthday in America’s birthplace with “POPS! on
Independence,” a free concert at Independence Hall. As one of
Philadelphia’s most popular Fourth of July traditions, seating is first
come, first served. Note: Concertgoers are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Celebration of Freedom Ceremony
Steps of Independence Hall, 6th and Market Streets, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Come
pay tribute to our great nation with a celebration of music, inspiring
remarks and a reading of excerpts from the Declaration of Independence,
among other special elements.
Philadelphia Independence Day Parade
Throughout Historic Philadelphia, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
An
annual Philadelphia classic takes freedom to the streets with more than
hundreds of participants from states across the nation, including
marching bands, floats, military organizations and several special
performing teams. This visual feast is the most diverse 4th of July
Parade in the country, and people of all ages will surely enjoy the
patriotic pageantry as it winds through the nation’s most historic
square mile.
Come
witness Patriotic Pageantry as over 5,000 participants from across the
nation celebrate America’s Birthday in America’s Birthplace. This year’s
parade features a “Heroes Salute” honoring the 10th Anniversary
of 9/11 – The United States Military, veterans, firefighters and police
officers. You won’t want to miss the 2012 Independence Day Parade!
Party on the Parkway
Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 20th Street to Eakins Oval, 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
The highly anticipated day-long Party on the Parkway kicks off at noon on the BenjaminFranklin Parkway from 20thStreet
to Eakins Oval, featuring blocks and blocks of exciting and educational
activities, games, entertainment andfood for the whole family until 7
p.m.
The
festival offers three music stages, a wealth of music programming
throughout the day, sporting events, an art pavilion incorporating an
array of eclectic talent that performs and interacts with the crowd and
many more activities. A Go 4th & Learn area for children presented by Radio Disney also
will be offered, bringing education to life through interactive games,
make-and-take arts and crafts, a Radio Disney Music Stage and
face-painting. Food vendors will fill the Parkway cooking up delicious
food to delight the whole family.
Philly 4th of July Jam and Grand Finale Fireworks
Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 20th and Eakins Oval, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
The
Roots will serve as the house band for the Wawa Welcome America! Philly
4th of July Jam – “The Largest Free Concert in America.” The festival’s
Musical Director Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson will perform alongside an
incredibly talented array of the brightest and boldest talent on the
national music scene including Queen Latifah, Daryl Hall, Common, Joe
Jonas and more special guests, on
the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Following this spectacular performance
will be an amazing fireworks display over the Philadelphia Museum of
Art.
Wawa
Welcome America! is a multi-day festival that celebrates America’s
birthday in America’s birthplace, Philadelphia, and is produced by
Welcome America, Inc. For more information, please visit www.welcomeamerica.com, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wawawelcomeamerica or follow us on Twitter at @July4thPhilly.
