As Philly gears up for its annual dose of patriotism with the Wawa Welcome America Festival, city officials have laid out the roadmap—literally—for event-related interruptions. The city's festivities, which sprang to life on June 19, will wrap up on July 4th with a display that promises to be both sonically and visually explosive. If you're planning to get in on the action, be aware that several streets will be off-limits to make way for the celebrations.
The City of Brotherly Love is set to close out the festival with Hip-Hop icon LL COOL J and local legend Jazmine Sullivan taking center stage for the July Fourth Concert and Fireworks. The concert, hosted at the foot of the iconic Benjamin Franklin Parkway, kicks off at 7 p.m and will be broadcast live on NBC10, according to a statement obtained by the City of Philadelphia's official website. For early birds looking to secure a good spot, gates open at a punctual 4 p.m., but be prepared for a thorough security check at the entrance.
Following the melodies, a spectacular fireworks show courtesy of Wawa is expected to light up the sky at approximately 9:30 p.m., weather permitting. Attendees can also stay in the loop with real-time updates on weather and event specifics by texting "AMERICA" to 888-777, and receiving alerts from the Office of Emergency Management.
Those expecting to navigate the city streets should exercise caution; road closures will be in effect, potentially tweaked in case of any weather or incident-related changes. A full list of street closures and detailed event information can be gleaned from the Wawa Welcome America website. With an array of free cultural offerings ranging from museum days to multicultural events, the festival is a showcase of the city's diverse and inclusive spirit.
