Wawa Welcome America lineup, schedule announced
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- We now know who will be rocking the Ben Franklin Parkway this Fourth of July.
The official lineup for this year's Wawa Welcome America celebration was revealed Tuesday morning, and once again, 6abc is proud to be the media partner.
Mayor Michael Nutter made the announcement at the African American Museum in Center City Philadelphia.
He was joined by Wawa Welcome America! Executive Director Desiree Peterkin-Bell, Wawa Inc. Vice Chairman Howard Stoeckel, and 6abc President and General Manager Bernie Prazenica.
R&B star Miguel and Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles will take the stage on the 4th.
The Roots will once again be the house band for the concert.
There will also be a big block party on July 3rd. It will be on 5th and 6th streets between Market and Chestnut.
The 2015 edition of the Wawa Welcome America festival will also feature movies on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Hoagie, concerts on Penn's Landing, the annual Party on the Parkway and much more.
Here is the schedule of events:
SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2015
WHAT: Family Day
WHERE: The Shops at Liberty Place, 1625 Chestnut Street
WHEN: Noon - 4:00 p.m.
Family Day at the Shops at Liberty Place gives families the opportunity to enjoy activities celebrating the 150th anniversary of the first reading of "Alice In Wonderland," and they can let their creativity shine with tons of arts and crafts and more.
SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2015
WHAT: Wawa Welcome America! Community Day
WHERE: Port Richmond
WHEN: Noon - 4:00 p.m.
A new addition to the schedule is the Wawa Welcome America! Community Day, which will be held in Philadelphia's Port Richmond neighborhood. Residents and visitors are invited to join us for an afternoon of activities and music in one of Philadelphia's many great neighborhoods.
MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2015
WHAT: FREE Admission to the Franklin Institute
Courtesy of Wawa
WHERE: Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Gather your friends and enjoy a free day at the Franklin Institute, courtesy of Wawa. You will have the chance to visit the interactive Wawa Dairy exhibit to discover the science behind dairy farming and production and to learn about the evolution of Wawa Dairy Farms and Philadelphia's favorite convenience store. General admission includes access to three floors of interactive exhibits, explosive science shows and hands-on demonstrations and a show in the Fels Planetarium.
WHAT: Go 4th & Learn About Science
WHERE: Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St
WHEN: 10:00 a.m. - Noon
All Go 4th & Learn events include special readings, free book giveaways and educational fun! The first 800 kids will receive a free book courtesy of Duffy Books in Homes USA.
WHAT: Philly @ The Movies: "Big Hero 6"
WHERE: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street
WHEN: 8:30 p.m.
For the kick-off of the 2015 Philly @ The Movies series, attendees can view one of this year's must-see films for children and adults alike, Disney's "Big Hero 6".
TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2015
WHAT: FREE Admission to the Philadelphia History Museum
In Partnership with PECO
WHERE: Philadelphia History Museum, 15 S. 7th Street
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Learn about the rich history of the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection at the Philadelphia History Museum. The museum will be open for free to the public all day as part of the Wawa Welcome America! Festival.
WHAT: Go 4th & Learn About Philadelphia
WHERE: Philadelphia History Museum, 15 S. 7th Street
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
All Go 4th & Learn events include special readings, free book giveaways and educational fun! The first 800 kids will receive a free book courtesy of Duffy Books in Homes USA.
WHAT: Philly @ The Movies: "Annie"
WHERE: Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th Street
WHEN: 8:30 p.m.
The Philly @ The Movies series continues with a free screening of the newly adapted version of "Annie," a tale of a precocious orphan girl with a big personality and heart of gold.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015
WHAT: FREE Admission to the African American Museum in Philadelphia
In partnership with PECO
WHERE: African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street
WHEN: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Visit the African American Museum in Philadelphia to experience the richness and vibrancy of African American heritage and culture in four exhibition galleries filled with exciting history and fascinating art. The museum will be open for free to the public all day as part of the Wawa Welcome America! Festival.
WHAT: Go 4th & Learn About Fitness
WHERE: Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse, 3500 Reservoir Drive
WHEN: 10:00 a.m. - Noon
The Go 4th & Learn series continues with a morning of fitness and fun at the Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse, a 6.5 acre playground that includes the Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide and more than 50 unique, child-friendly, and accessible pieces of play equipment. All Go 4th & Learn events include special readings, free book giveaways and educational fun! The first 800 kids will receive a free book courtesy of Duffy Books in Homes USA.
WHAT: Philly @ The Movies: "Rocky"
WHERE: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
WHEN: 9:00 p.m.
Philly @ The Movies continues with a free screening of "Rocky," the iconic boxing film shot in and around Philadelphia. Movie-goers will watch this classic from the very steps that made Rocky a lifelong legend.
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015
WHAT: FREE Admission to the National Constitution Center
WHERE: National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Wawa invites you to enjoy a free day at the National Constitution Center, including access to new exhibitions that open this summer. A special Wawa display will feature Wawa's commitment to military, fire and police.
WHAT: Go 4th & Learn About History
WHERE: National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street
WHEN: 10:00 a.m. - Noon
All Go 4th & Learn events include special readings, free book giveaways and educational fun! The first 800 kids will receive a free book courtesy of Duffy Books in Homes USA.
WHAT: PHL Photo Exhibit "About Philadelphia: A City of Firsts"
WHERE: Philadelphia International Airport, Terminal A-East, 8000 Essington Avenue
WHEN: 10:00 a.m.
"About Philadelphia" is a photo exhibition that celebrates the City's historic American firsts. Travelers going through the Airport can visit the exhibit to learn more. This exhibit is open to ticketed passengers only.
WHAT: Wawa Hoagie Day
WHERE: Independence Mall, Market Street Between 5th and 6th Streets
WHEN: Noon - 1:30 p.m.
The 23rd annual Wawa Hoagie Day, which focuses on honoring our troops and expanding Wawa's partnership with the USO, will begin with a salute to local and national heroes - our military, firemen and police officers. Wawa hoagies will be distributed FREE to the crowd. The event will include a special appearance by Food Network Chef Robert Irvine and performances by NBC's "The Voice" contestants Matthew Schuler and Audra McLaughlin, as well as the USO Show Troupe.
WHAT: Philadelphia Orchestra Neighborhood Concert
WHERE: Great Plaza @ Penn's Landing, 101 S. Columbus Blvd.
WHEN: 8:00 p.m.
The world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra presents a FREE Neighborhood Concert on the RiverStage at the Great Plaza.
WHAT: Philly @ The Movies: "The Sixth Sense"
WHERE: Rittenhouse Park, 210 W. Rittenhouse Square
WHEN: 9:00 p.m.
The Philly @ The Movies series concludes with "The Sixth Sense," directed and written by Philadelphia native M. Night Shyamalan and also filmed throughout Philadelphia. In this spooky tale, a young boy communicates with spirits that only he can see.
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015
WHAT: Liberty Block Party
WHERE: 5th and 6th Streets Between Market and Chestnut Streets
WHEN: 1:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
The largest block party of the summer, the Liberty Block Party, offers Philadelphia residents and visitors an opportunity to explore the city's diverse food scene and some of its finest live entertainment. Entry and entertainment are free; however, food and drinks must be purchased.
WHAT: POPS! On Independence
WHERE: Steps of Independence Hall, 6th and Chestnut Streets
WHEN: 8:00 p.m.
The Philly Pops! return to celebrate America's birthday with POPS! On Independence, a free concert at Independence Hall. Conductor Michael Krajewski and soloists Capathia Jenkins and Darius de Haas will take part in this year's show. Seating is first come, first served, and concert goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy one of Philadelphia's most popular Fourth of July traditions.
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2015
WHAT: Celebration of Freedom Ceremony
WHERE: Steps of Independence Hall, 6th and Chestnut Streets
WHEN: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Philadelphians and visitors can pay tribute to our 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 commemorates the 50th anniversary of the first major LGBTQ protest in the United States, the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the 50th anniversary of the Immigration & Nationality Act of 1965, and the 150th anniversary of the addition of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. A naturalization ceremony for new American citizens will also be included in the program.
WHAT: Independence Day Parade
WHERE: Throughout Historic Philadelphia
WHEN: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Starting in front of Independence Hall, more than 6,000 participants from across the nation - including Miss America 2015, marching bands, floats, military organizations and several special performance teams - will be taking part in the annual Independence Day Parade through Historic Philadelphia. Spectators of all ages will 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. Parade Route: The parade begins at 5th and Chestnut Streets, then travels West on Chestnut Street to 9th Street. It then turns right onto 9th Street, before heading down Market Street toward Front Street. The parade finishes by marching down Front Street to Chestnut Street. Total route is 1.2 miles long.
WHAT: Let Freedom Ring Ceremony
WHERE: Independence National Historical Park, 6th and Market Streets
WHEN: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
The Sons of the American Revolution program starts on Independence Square & concludes with symbolic tapping of Liberty Bell by Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence in Liberty Bell Pavilion.
WHAT: Party on the Parkway
WHERE: Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 20th Street to Eakins Oval
WHEN: Noon - 7:00 p.m.
The highly anticipated, day-long Party on the Parkway features blocks of exciting activities, games, entertainment and food fit for the whole family. Pogopalooza, the world championship of extreme pogo, and the U.S. Olympic Committee's Road to Rio Tour will be among the many activities on the Parkway. Party on the Parkway offers a wealth of musical programming throughout the day on the Global Music and Questlove Stages.
WHAT: Philly 4th of July Jam and Grand Finale Fireworks
WHERE: Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Benjamin Franklin Parkway at Eakins Oval
WHEN: 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
The Wawa Welcome America! Philly 4th of July Jam takes place each year on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and is followed by a fireworks display over the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Past performers include: Nicki Minaj, Ed Sheeran, John Mayer, J.Cole, Grace Potter, Jill Scott, Common, Joe Jonas, Queen Latifah, Lauryn Hill and more. 6ABC returns as the festival's local media partner, broadcasting the concert live in the Philadelphia region. The 2015 Philly 4th of July Jam stars The Roots, with special guests Miguel and Jennifer Nettles. The show will be immediately followed by a fireworks spectacular, brought to you by Discovery's Shark Week. Additional details about Wawa Welcome America!'s musical performances will be made available online.
Other organizations and attractions will host free events throughout the city during the festival week and even extending past the Fourth of July. Visitors will be able to check the Wawa Welcome America! website for a list of these partner events.
