FreedomFest is rolling back into Pleasant Hill Park on the Delaware River waterfront this July 4, bringing a free, family-focused evening that starts at 5 p.m. and caps off with a fireworks finale expected around 9 p.m.
Organizers are tying the celebration to America’s 250th, with food trucks, dozens of artisan vendors, a beer garden, live music and a 40-foot Ferris wheel, according to One River Alliance. The event page lists the festival as free, no registration required, with programming running into the evening.
What To Expect On The River
The beer garden will pour drinks from local makers including Sacred Heart Brewing Company, City Distilling and Hillbilly Hooch, while rotating performers will feature Ryan Biedermann, Ray Palmer and the Kramer Brothers, per the Northeast Times. Philly Heart & Soul is slated as the evening’s headliner, and festivalgoers can grab river views from a 40-foot Ferris wheel. Organizers say the fireworks show, produced by Pyrotecnico and fired from a barge in the middle of the Delaware River, will close out the night.
Opening Ceremony And Local Honors
Festivities officially kick off at 5 p.m. with an opening ceremony that includes a ceremonial flag-raising led by William D. Oxley American Legion Post 133, remarks from local elected officials and the presentation of One River Alliance’s inaugural Alliance Award to Tom Forkin. Praising Forkin’s role in getting FreedomFest off the ground, nonprofit founder Dana Russikoff said, “Tom's commitment to collaboration helped transform a bold concept into a lasting tradition,” according to the Northeast Times.
Location, Access And Safety
Pleasant Hill Park sits at the end of Linden Avenue on the Delaware River in northeast Philadelphia, according to the City of Philadelphia. Organizers say the festival has support from the 8th Police District and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and they encourage attendees to arrive early and use nearby streets for parking and pedestrian access. More event information is available from One River Alliance.
