Wawa Welcome America! Announces Details of 7-Day Festival Celebrating America’s Birthday

The 2013 Wawa Welcome America! festival will feature two fireworks displays,rnrn‘The Largest Free Concert in America,’ the nation’s most diverse Independence Day Parade and an unparalleled Taste of Philadelphia food eventrnrn rnrn(PHILADELPHIA) May 9, 2013 – The City of Brotherly Love invites Philadelphia residents and visitors alike to make lifelong memories at Wawa Welcome America! from July 1 to July 7, 2013. The 2013 schedule brings festival attendees seven days of FREE, family-friendly events, including the weekend after the Fourth of July, and will prove why Philadelphia is the only place to celebrate America’s birthday. A detailed event schedule follows below. All events are free, unless otherwise noted.rnrnMONDAY, JULY 1, 2013rnrnGo 4th & Learn: Wawa DairyrnrnFranklin Square, 6th & Race Streetsrnrn10 a.m. – Noon Storytelling, Wawa Interactive Dairy and History Area will continue until 3 p.m.rnrn rnrnGo 4th & Learn is an exciting series of interactive, educational programs for young children and their parents. The first Go 4th & Learn installment, Go 4th & Learn: Wawa Dairy, will be held at Franklin Square. Children will hear stories and also learn about the history of dairy, courtesy of Wawa. Lessons in cow milking, photo opportunities with a milkmaid, arts and crafts, face painting and more will be available throughout the day.rnrn rnrn*First 200 children receive a free book.rnrn rnrnPhilly @ the Movies: “Silver Linings Playbook”rnrnRittenhouse Square, 18th & Walnut Streetsrnrn9 p.m.rnrn rnrnThe 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 exciting kickoff to the 2013 Philly @ the Movies program, bring the whole family to Rittenhouse Square to take in one of this year’s must-see films, “Silver Linings Playbook.”rnrn rnrn rnrnTUESDAY, JULY 2, 2013rnrnGo 4th & Learn: HistoryrnrnNational Constitution Center, 525 Arch Streetrnrn10 a.m. – Noonrnrn rnrnGo 4th & Learn continues with a morning of special programming, live musical performances, and an exhibition on the history of the hoagie. Free admission to the National Constitution Center will be provided all day, courtesy of Wawa Hoagie Day!rnrn rnrn*First 200 children receive a free book.rnrn rnrnWawa Hoagie DayrnrnIndependence Visitor Center Lawn, Market Street between 5th & 6th StreetsrnrnNoon – 2:00 p.m.rnrn rnrnWawa Hoagie Day 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 our famous Hoagie Day! 4.5 tons worth of hoagies will be served for free to thousands. Join in this patriotic event as Wawa salutes our military, fire and police. Take part in the “mail call” station collecting letters for troops; Hoagies for Heroes charitable hoagie building contest to honor our local heroes; and a concert by the Liberty Belles.rnrn rnrnPHL Photo ExhibitrnrnPhiladelphia’s Literary Legacy: Selected Authors, Playwrights, and PoetsrnrnPhiladelphia International Airport (Terminal A-East)rnrn10 a.m.rnrn rnrnSince the writing of the nation’s Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, Philadelphia has been home to many celebrated authors. Fifty authors were selected by librarians from the Free Library of Philadelphia who represent the breadth of the region’s literary creativity past and present. Note: The PHL Photo Exhibit is only open to ticketed guests due to its location within the airport terminal.rnrn rnrnPhiladelphia Orchestra Neighborhood Concert – Presented by Wells FargornrnThe Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 301 S. Columbus Blvd.rnrn8:05 p.m.rnrn rnrnThe world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra will treat festival attendees to a FREE Neighborhood Concert on the RiverStage at The Great Plaza, followed by a small land-side fireworks salute.rnrn rnrnPhilly @ the Movies: “Rocky”rnrnPhiladelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkwayrnrn9 p.m.rnrn rnrnThe free Philly @ the Movies series continues with “Rocky,” the beloved boxing film shot in and around Philadelphia. Bring your friends and family and watch this iconic film from the famous steps that made Rocky a lifelong legend.rnrn rnrn rnrnWEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013rnrnGo 4th & Learn: FitnessrnrnSmith Memorial Playground & Playhouse, East Fairmount Parkrnrn10 a.m. – Noonrnrn rnrnBreak 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 unique, age-appropriate and accessible pieces of play equipment.rnrn rnrn*First 200 children receive a free book.rnrn rnrn“POPS! on Independence”rnrnIndependence Hall, 6th & Market Streetsrnrn8 p.m.rnrn rnrnPeter 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 lawn chairs and blankets.rnrn rnrn rnrnTHURSDAY, JULY 4, 2013rnrnCelebration of Freedom CeremonyrnrnSteps of Independence Hall, 6th & Market Streetsrnrn10 a.m. – 11 a.m.rnrn rnrnPay tribute to our great 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 feature programming to honor the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement.rnrn rnrnPhiladelphia Independence Day ParadernrnThroughout Historic Philadelphiarnrn11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.rnrn rnrnStepping off in front of Independence Hall, this annual Philadelphia classic takes to the streets with thousands of participants from states across the nation, including marching bands, floats, military organizations and several special performance teams. People of all ages will surely 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. This year’s parade features more than 5,000 participants. You won’t want to miss the 2013 Independence Day Parade!rnrn rnrnLet Freedom RingrnrnIndependence Square, 5th & Market Streetsrnrn1 p.m. – 2 p.m.rnrn rnrnThe ceremony starts on Independence Square and concludes with a symbolic tapping of the Liberty Bell. To view the bell tapping, you must be in the Liberty Bell Center by 1:30 p.m.rnrn rnrnParty on the ParkwayrnrnBenjamin Franklin Parkway, 20th Street to Eakins OvalrnrnNoon – 7 p.m.rnrn rnrnThe highly anticipated, day-long Party on the Parkway kicks off at noon on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 20th Street to Eakins Oval, featuring blocks of exciting activities, games, entertainment and food for the whole family!rnrnParty on the Parkway offers a wealth of music programming throughout the day, sporting events, and many more activities. A Go 4th & Learn area for children will also be offered, bringing education to life through interactive games, arts and crafts and face-painting. Food vendors will fill the Parkway cooking up delicious food to delight the whole family. Performers will grace the Global Music and Questlove Stages throughout the day to entertain attendees.rnrn rnrnPhilly 4th of July Jam and Grand Finale FireworksrnrnBenjamin Franklin Parkway, 20th and Eakins Ovalrnrn7 p.m. – 10 p.m.rnrn rnrnThe Roots are back as the house band for the Wawa Welcome America! Philly 4th of July Jam – “The Largest Free Concert in America.” An array of the brightest and boldest talent on the national music scene will perform alongside The Roots on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. A spectacular fireworks display over the Philadelphia Museum of Art will follow the performance and cap off the day.rnrnrnrnFRIDAY, JULY 5, 2013rnrnTaste of PhiladelphiarnrnPenn’s Landing, 301 S. Columbus Blvd.rnrnNoon – 10 p.m.rnrn rnrnWawa Welcome America! invites visitors and Philadelphia residents to ignite their taste buds at Taste of Philadelphia, a signature three-day food sampling event. Each year, Taste of Philadelphia continues to expand its food offerings, family friendly activities and free music entertainment – with 2013 set to be the “biggest bite” for food lovers yet.rnrn rnrnThe grounds at Penn’s Landing will be filled with traditional festival foods and representatives from some of Philadelphia’s favorite 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 be treated to outstanding musical performances and beautiful views of the Delaware River waterfront. 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.rnrn rnrnThroughout the duration of Taste of Philadelphia, local and national artists will entertain guests on two stages — the RiverStage at Penn’s Landing and the Old City Stage at Front and Chestnut Streets.rnrn rnrn rnrnSATURDAY, JULY 6, 2013rnrnTaste of PhiladelphiarnrnPenn’s Landing, 301 S. Columbus Blvd.rnrn11 a.m. – 10 p.m.rnrn rnrnLocal culinary favorites are served up for another day as our headliner lights up the stage with a soulful performance. Taste will end with a bang – literally – as the Adventure Aquarium Waterfront Fireworks Spectacular illuminates the sky over the Delaware River.rnrn rnrnSUNDAY, JULY 7, 2013rnrnTaste of PhiladelphiarnrnPenn’s Landing, 301 S. Columbus Blvd, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.rnrn rnrnEnjoy the final day of Taste weekend while taking in the sights and sounds of local talent along the waterfront at the RiverStage.rnrnDON’T FORGET: The Super Scooper “All-You-Can-Eat” Ice Cream Festival returns to the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing this year on June 29th and 30th, Noon to 6:00 p.m.rnrnGuests are invited to enjoy an all-you-can-eat ice cream buffet benefiting the Joshua Kahan Fund, fighting to sure pediatric cancer. A $7 donation is required to enter.rnrn rnrn rnrnWawa Welcome America! is a multi-day festival that celebrates America’s birthday in America’s birthplace, Philadelphia. In 2013, Welcome America, Inc. is proud to celebrate 20 years as the producer of Philadelphia’s Fourth of July festival. For more information, please visit www.welcomeamerica.com, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wawawelcomeamerica and follow us on Twitter at @July4thPhilly