UTB Presents: Philly On The Phourth Of July
July 1, 2012 at 1:38 pm
If you're spending Independence Day near actual Purple Mountains Majesty or real Amber Waves of Grain, more power to ya! But if you're spending the fourth here in Philadelphia– WHERE ALL HISTORY BEGAN– then we have some good news: it's gonna be poppin'! And Wawa may have legal license to your soul by the end of it.
This Weekend
"Taste of Philadelphia" Food Festival
As part of Wawa Welcome America, head to Penn's Landing this weekend to sample dishes from restaurants and food trucks city-wide! Food isn't free, but it's certainly cheap: food samples are all between $1 and $5. Sunday is "Gospel Sunday," which means HEY! Free music!
Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival
Yes, the name is reminiscent of dog poop. BUT FREE ICE CREAM, SO QUELL THE SNARK! This weekend, Wawa and Penn's Landing will also be hosting a massive all-you-can-eat ice cream festival. For $7, you achieve a mind-blowing brain freeze over and over again until your body turns to ice and shatters.
Monday, July 2nd
Independence Week at the National Constitution Center
For those of you who want your holiday to be rife with historical context, the National Constitution Center has the whole shebang. They'll have a special exhibit on the American Flag, Revolutionary War reenactments from Monday through Wednesday, and special performances from child rock stars, "to remind us why freedom of expression truly rocks!" Sounds nauseating.....ly AMERICAN!
Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married?" Movie Screening
Because why not? It's at the Dell Music Center on North 33rd Street...if you dare.
Tuesday, July 3rd
Our pals over at the Mural Arts Project are installing a giant mural of Philly's own The Roots on South Street, and they need your help painting it. On Tuesday on Independence Mall, help paint the adhesive cloth pieces that will eventually become the mural! Think of the profile pictures.
Be classy– perchance attend this sophisticated soiree, a free classical music concert under the stars on Independence Mall at 8 PM.
Making Time Presents: You're Welcome America Rad BBQ
Brooklyn-based Tanlines will be headlining this all-American rager over at Bamboo Bar in NorLibs. Running from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m., the event features music, swimming, grub from PYT, free PBR from 7-9 (!), ice cream and the word "RAD" a total of 18 times in the event description, so you just know the place will be teeming with crust-kids and their fixies.
Wednesday, July 4th
Celebration of Freedom Ceremony
Ring in the 4th on the steps of Independence Hall at 10 AM, where people with velvety voices will read excerpts from the Declaration of Independence and follow them with "inspiring remarks."
Philadelphia Independence Day Parade
Get decked out in your red and blue (and white) for this classic 4th of July tradition! Starting at 11, the parade stretches from 5th and Chestnut to Front and Market. Expect cultural performances, a fife-and-drum band dating back to 1767, and a salute to the troops.
America's Birthday at the Independence Visitor's Center
Do you like cake? How about a 5-tier cake by Termini Brothers Bakery, followed by 1776 individual red, white and blue cupcakes that are free for the taking? Nothing characterizes this great nation quite like our obesity crisis, so it seems perfect that at 1 PM on Independence Mall you can get your fat on.
Party on the Parkway & Fourth of July Jam
From 12-7, the Ben Franklin Parkway is going to turn into a giant festival, with lots of kid-friendly activities. But after 7, it's party time--The Roots, Queen Latifah, Common, Joe Jonas and more will be performing a free concert, followed by more fireworks than your nervous system is prepared for!
Happy 4th, Quakers! Do something, even if that's sitting in an air conditioned room watching Saving Private Ryan and crying into your Froot Loops. There are many ways to be an American.