Philly Celebrated July 4th In Grand Style
There’s no better place to celebrate America’s birthday than America’s birthplace! Yesterday, Philadelphia proved once again that nobody can put on the ritz for July 4th quite like the City of Brotherly Love. Last night’s fireworks were the culmination of a solid week of Independence Day celebrations, which altogether is called “Wawa Welcome America.”
During the past week, dozens of free events have been available to the public, including a viewing of “Rocky” held… where else? On the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, commonly known as the “Rocky steps” for their iconic appearance in the film. Philly’s favorite convenience store, Wawa, also delighted thousands on June 28th on Wawa Hoagie Day. According to Penn Live: “It came out to 7 tons worth of hoagies in the turkey and Italian variety, an endeavor that took more than five hours to finish. The hoagie assembly line started at 5 a.m. on June 28, concluding its work after 10 a.m. Two hours later and the hoagies were being handed out to the thousands who were waiting patiently in line in the summer heat on Independence Mall.”
But nothing, of course, could compare to the festivities happening yesterday. July 4th kicked off with the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony, during which Mayor Jim Kenney honored Giana Graves, a 22-year-old transgender youth activist, with the Magis Award. Leading up to the parade, the North Philadelphia Nomad Rugby Team recited heart-stirring portions of the Declaration of Independence to the tune of the Philly Pops performing. The parade, which featured floats and marching community groups, seemed like an outspoken rebellion against the current presidential administration with its focus on ALL Americans – not just those assigned the title by birth, but all the groups who immigrated here with dreams of freedom.
The afternoon was spent on a street party on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, full of various live music performances, food trucks and activities capped off by a free Pitbull concert. Broadway star Heather Headley and Viva Moss also performed.
And of course, the night closed with a dazzling fireworks display!
Here’s to Philadelphia for honoring the true spirit of July 4th!
