WAWA WELCOME AMERICA! FESTIVAL – SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday, June 24 through Monday, July 4, 2011
June 24, 2011
Taste of Philadelphia
At Penns Landing
6pm-9pm
Take your taste-buds for a Taste of Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing. Sample mouth-watering dishes from some of Philadelphia’s favorite dining spots. Find a seat along the waterfront and enjoy an upbeat performance by world-renowned contemporary jazz musician Gerald Veasley to round out opening night.
June 25, 2011
Taste of Philadelphia
Concert and Fireworks
At Penn’s Landing
11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Culinary favorites continue as jazz and blues musicians rock the stage. At 8 p.m. Aaron Neville returns to Philadelphia with his popular hits, followed by fireworks over the Delaware River. Check out the Front Street stage and be the first to hear performances from the finalists of the Wawa Welcome America! singer/songwriter contest.
June 26, 2011
Taste of Philadelphia
Penn’s Landing
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Taste of Philadelphia dishes out more savory flavors along the waterfront, wrapping up with powerful performances by local Gospel choirs.
June 27, 2011
Go 4th & Learn
About History
At Franklin Square
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Storytelling
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wawa Interactive Dairy and History Area
Go 4th & Learn kicks off with an event for the whole family featuring Mayor Nutter, Philadelphia and Wawa history, a Wawa Dairy exhibit, lessons in cow milking and more. *Be one of the first 20 participating children to receive a book.
Philly @ the Movies
“Best in Show” Piazza at Schmidt’s
9 pmTake your furry friend on a date to the Piazza at Schmidts and enjoy a special screening of “Best in Show.” Pets are welcome, as long as they are on a leash.
June 28, 2011
Go 4th & Learn
About Performance Art
The Dell Music Center
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Learn about music, dance and art!
*Be one of the first 200 participating children to receive a book.
Philly @ the Movies
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Theatre TBA
At 7 p.m.Shia LaBeouf returns as Sam Witwicky in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. When a mysterious event from Earth’s past erupts into the present day it threatens to bring a war to Earth so big that the Transformers alone will not be able to save us. Tickets are not for sale for this event. In theatres July 1. www.TransformersMovie.com
Philly @ the Movies
“Fame”
The Dell Music Center
9 p.m.
Enjoy the 2009 reinvention of the 1980’s classic performing arts flick “Fame” at the Dell.
June 29, 2011
Wawa Hoagie Day
At Independence Mall
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Join Mayor Nutter, police officers, firefighters, Wawa associates and hoagie-lovers from all across the region to celebrate Hoagie Day 2011. Wawa will honor our soldiers and local heroes by partnering with the USO and serving a free 4.5-ton hoagie salute.
Philly @ the Movies
“Rocky”
At Philadelphia Museum of Art
9 p.m.
Grab your friends and family and head down to the famous steps where the Rocky legacy was born and watch “Rocky,” the timeless, Philadelphia favorite film.
June 30, 2011
Photo Exhibit
At Philadelphia International Airport (Terminal A-East)
10 a.m.
Tuskegee Airman: Making Aviation History
Ticketed passengers, celebrate the 70th anniversary of the African American cadets who were inducted into military flight school at the Tuskegee Institute.
Independence Day Picnic & Military Change of Command
Independence Mall (6th and Market Streets)
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wawa Welcome America! continues the celebration with an Independence Picnic and a special military change of command. Visitors are welcome to stop by, bring a picnic lunch and observe the ceremony. Food and cold drinks available at the cafe inside.
Philly @ the Movies
“The Devil Wears Prada”
Rittenhouse Square (18th and Walnut St.)
9 p.m.
Channel your inner fashionista and join us in Rittenhouse Square for a special screening of “The Devil Wears Prada.”
Philly @ the Movies
“Hairspray” Sing-a-Long
Love Park (15th and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway)
9 p.m.
Warm up your vocal chords, dust off your dancing shoes and rock out with Tracy and the gang on the Corny Collins Show during a sing-a-long screening of “Hairspray.”
July 2, 2011
Go 4th & Learn
Go 4th & Learn about Science
The Franklin Institute (20th and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway)
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Learn about the science of fireworks.
NOTE: Due to space restrictions, this ticketed event will be limited to the first 300 guests. The first 200 participating students will receive a free book. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Chinatown Block Party
Chinatown (10th and Race St.)
12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
The Festival returns to Chinatown to showcase Philadelphia’s vibrant Asian culture. Experience an open-air market with exciting entertainment, Asian cuisine, crafts and more.
Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival
Penn’s Landing
12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
$7 admission required to enter.
July 3, 2011
“POPS on Independence”
Independence Hall
8:00 p.m.
Peter Nero and the Philly Pops® return to celebrate America’s birthday with “POPS on Independence,” a free concert at Independence Hall. Come join the celebration and participate in one of Philadelphia’s most popular Fourth of July traditions. Note: Seating is first come, first served. Concert goers are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.
Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival
Penn’s Landing
12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
$7 admission required to enter.
All proceeds benefit the Joshua Kahan Fund, fighting to cure Pediatric Leukemia.
Independence Day Ceremony
Steps of Independence Hall
6th and Market Streets
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Celebrate our nation’s birth with a patriotic salute! Music, speeches and a reading of excerpts from the Declaration of Independence will pay tribute to the history of our nation.
Independence Day Parade
Historic Philadelphia
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
This year, the route has expanded, winding through the nation’s most historic mile, featuring 3,500 patriotic and multicultural marchers, musicians, dancers and floats. All five U.S. military branches will be represented.
Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival
Penn’s Landing
12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
$7 admission required to enter.
All proceeds benefit the Joshua Kahan Fund, fighting to cure Pediatric Leukemia.
Party on the Parkway
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
The day-long festival features seven blocks of exciting and educational activities, games, entertainment and food for sale for the whole family! Philadelphia is the place to be on the 4th of July!
Happy Birthday America
Independence Visitor Center
12:30 p.m.
Join us as we celebrate America’s birthday and sample delectable treats from hometown favorite Tastykake.
Philly’s Fourth of July Jam and Grand Finale Fireworks
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Four-time Grammy award-winning band The Roots will headline Philly’s 4th of July Jam! The band and the Festival musical director ?uestlove will perform their set as well as sets with special guests Earth, Wind and Fire, Michael McDonald, Estelle, Sara Bareilles, DJ Jazzy Jeff and more!
Wawa Welcome America! is a multi-day festival featuring fun, fireworks, food, history and entertainment as part of the nation’s premier July 4th showcase. Welcome America! boasts the largest free concert in America, attracting thousands of visitors to celebrate all of the patriotic pageantry on America’s birthday in America’s birthplace. The event is produced by Welcome America, Inc. For more information, visit www.welcomeamerica.com
