Wawa Welcome America
This year, Wawa’s Welcome America Independence Day celebration will kick off at 11 a.m. on the steps of Independence Hall at 6th and Market streets. Pay tribute to our great nation with a celebration of music, inspiring remarks and a reading of excerpts from the Declaration of Independence. ••
Parade through Historic Philadelphia
Then, from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., the annual parade takes freedom to the streets in the areas surrounding Independence Hall with hundreds of participants from states across the nation, plus marching bands, floats and several special performing teams. This year’s parade features a “Heroes Salute” honoring the 10th anniversary of 9/11. ••
Festival on the Parkway
From noon through 7 p.m., stop by the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, between 20th Street and the Eakins Oval at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, for a block party featuring three music stages, food vendors, sporting events, multiple interactive zones and many more exciting activities. ••
Free concert with The Roots
After 7 p.m. on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, between 20th Street and the Eakins Oval, from 7 to 11 p.m., Philly’s own musical sensation The Roots will serve as the house band for the Philly 4th of July Jam — “The Largest Free Concert in America.”
The band will be joined by Queen Latifah, Daryl Hall, Common, Joe Jonas and more special guests on the parkway. ••
Fourth of July fireworks
Following the end of the night’s events on the Ben Franklin Parkway — the concert ends at 11 p.m. — there will be a fireworks show in the sky above the Philadelphia Museum of Art. ••
Visit the Magic Gardens
The gardens will be holding a special holiday tour of Isaiah Zagar’s glittering mosaic labyrinth lead by one of PMG’s knowledgeable Garden Guides. The gardens are located at 1020 South St.
Also on our nation’s birthday, explore the exhibition entitled Unexpected Muses. This show illustrates the mutual inspiration felt by PMG founding artist Isaiah Zagar and ceramicist Jimmy Clark.
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens are open for tours from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tickets cost $8 for the Holiday Tour (which includes adult admission), $5 for an adult, $2 for children aged 6 to 12 and children 5 and under get in free.
For more information call 215–733–0390 or visit phillymagicgardens.org. ••
Authentic Independence Day
Want to celebrate the Fourth of July like Ben Franklin might have? The day’s activities will include hearth cooking, textile demonstrations, long rifle, garden and animal talks. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic basket lunch or purchase refreshments.
Bring a comfortable chair or blanket and enjoy the Fourth as it was celebrated years ago on a true colonial farm in Chester County. Feel free to pick up a quill pen and sign the Declaration yourself!
The event will be held at Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation, located at 3900 N. Sandy Flash Drive in Newtown Square. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children aged 4 to 12. The plantation is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 610–566–1725 or visit www.colonialplantation.org. ••
