Come get a Taste of Philadelphia this weekend.Philadelphia, what with it being the birthplace of freedom and all, is ripe with July 4 celebration options. There are family-friendly daytime activities, patriotic ceremonies and several events based on celebrating your tastebuds’ independence.Party on the ParkwayYes, we all know about the star-filled concert, headlined by hometown favorite The Roots, and the eye-dazzling fireworks that’ll take place here later on the Fourth, but there’s plenty to do during the day, too. Bring the kids and stroll the parkway. There will be games and entertainment, plus a fleet of food trucks.July 412-7 p.m.Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 20th St. to Eakins Oval.Celebration of Freedom ceremony and Independence Day paradeGet out and celebrate your freedom as well as your city. The ceremony, which begins at Independence Hall will include honorary activities and brief readings from the Declaration of Independence. The ceremony will raise your American spirits and lead right into the Independence Day parade. Though it won’t cover much ground (it runs from 6th and Chestnut to Front and Market), there will still be floats, a marching band, and of course, a swelling feeling of pride.July 410 a.m.-12:30 p.m.Independence Hall, 6th and Market streets.Summer Movies SeriesEach Thursday this summer City Tap House will turn its spacious patio into a movie lounge. Of course there will be popcorn, but most importantly each week a new brewer will be highlighted. For the Fourth go watch Will Smith fight some space baddies in Independence Day and wash it all down with beer from Yards.July 4City Tap House8 p.m.3925 Walnut St.215-662-0105www.citytaphouse.comTaste of PhiladelphiaWe just can’t get enough food trucks around these parts. All weekend long, as part of Wawa Welcome America, Penn’s Landing will be a hub of culinary samplings. Come hungry and with cash in hand, because there will be a bevy of vendors to choose from. In order to get a true taste of all — or at least, most — of what the city has to offer, small bites for a small price will be served.July 5–7Pay as you goPenn’s LandingColumbus Blvd. & Chestnut St.www.visitphilly.comPizza Brain and Federal Donuts join forcesThe marriage of pizza and donuts is about as American as it gets. For one day only, famed pizza museum and slice-slingers Pizza Brain will join forces with Philly’s beloved Federal Donuts to create a collaboration pie. According to the Federal Donuts Twitter, it’ll be a “chili-garlic fried chicken pizza with honey donut topping” and it’s only available for First Friday. Talk about patriotism.July 5Pizza Brain2313 Frankford Ave.215-291-2965www.pizzabrain.org
