If you haven’t yet been able to check out everything that this year’s Wawa Welcome America has to offer, you’re in luck, because the annual event is about to hold its grand finale.
The extravaganza has already been in full swing with different activations around the city, including free museum days, the Kidchella Music Festival, and the fan-favorite Wawa Hoagie Day. But July 4th holds the huge concert and festival, which takes over the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, plus, a packed day with patriotic fun.
The Celebration of Freedom Ceremony, supported by Visit Philadelphia, will be in full swing at 10 a.m. at Independence Hall this Friday. The event features remarks by Mayor Cherelle Parker, the presentation of the Mayor’s One Philly Award and the 10th Anniversary of The Wawa Foundation Hero Award — both honoring individuals and organizations making a difference in the city, with musical guests DJ Diamond Kuts and Suzann Christine.
The Salute to Independence Parade is up next at 11 a.m., with its path beginning at 5th and Chestnut streets and traveling in front of Independence Hall (in the exact steps of our founding fathers), and then turning right onto 6th Street, left onto Market Street, then ending at Arch and Broad streets.
The July 4th Concert & Fireworks will be the finale of the affair. Two headliners will take the stage: “hip-hop trailblazer” LL Cool J and Grammy Award-winning R&B singer/songwriter—and Philadelphia native—Jazmine Sullivan. Produced in partnership with Live Nation, the concert will be performed at 7 p.m. on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and will be followed by Philadelphia’s largest annual fireworks display over the Benjamin Franklin Parkway courtesy of Wawa beginning at 9:30 p.m.
Prior to the concert and fireworks, guests can check out interactive experiences, wellness activations, a variety of entertainment on the Pennsylvania Lottery Groove Stage, local food trucks, fare from Rita’s Italian Ice, and a chip giveaway from Herr’s. New this year, guests 21+ can also head to the Beer Garden Experience (sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka.) The curated lounge will feature two signature cocktails (the Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Tito’s Lemonade Spritz) along with local Chaddsford Wine available for purchase.
The concert will be broadcast in its entirety on NBC10 and simulcast from 7 to 10 p.m. on NBC Sports Philadelphia+ and COZI TV. The free concert will also be live-streamed on NBC10 Philadelphia News channels on Peacock, Roku, Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Fire TV, Pluto and Xumo Play as well as nbc10.com and the NBC10 app.
The July 4th Concert & Fireworks is free and tickets are not required. Gates open at 4 p.m., all guests must enter at Logan Circle at 20th Street through the secure checkpoint, including magnetometers. To find out more information, visit july4thphilly.com
