Note for note, there is no place like Philadelphia over the Fourth of July weekend. While music fans will enjoy three consecutive nights of free outdoor concerts featuring top-name talent, fireworks aficionados will be dazzled by two back-to-back nights of dazzling pyrotechnics. It all adds up to one easy-on-the-wallet Wawa Welcome America Fourth of July weekend.
To catch every song and every sparkle, visitors can book affordable overnight packages at visitphilly.com. Here's a look at the weekend's playlist:
-- In what has become a favorite annual event, Peter Nero and the Philly
Pops return to Independence Mall to kick off the long weekend with a
free, lively concert. In the shadows of Independence Hall, crowds
enjoy picnic dinners along with the showmanship of the Grammy®
Award-winning artist. Thomas Jefferson himself will make an appearance
to read the stirring words he penned 234 years ago. July 2, 8:30 p.m.
Independence Mall between 5th & 6th Streets and Market & Chestnut
Streets, (215) 409-6600, www.constitutioncenter.org.
-- On Saturday, the music moves to the waterfront when Wachovia, A Wells
Fargo Company, presents the Philadelphia Orchestra Free Neighborhood
Concert at Penn's Landing. The show will feature the world-famous
orchestra in an alfresco performance, along with a special appearance
by an unusual guest conductor, the Phillie Phanatic. Once the last
notes have faded, all eyes on both the Camden and Philadelphia sides
of the Delaware River will focus on the skies for a dazzling fireworks
display with the theme Heat. Attendees who guess the correct number of
heat-related references in the soundtrack will win seats to the Fourth
of July concert and fireworks. July 3, 8:00 p.m. Great Plaza at Penn's
Landing, Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street, (215) 928-8801,
www.delawareriverevents.com
-- The Roots bring their funky hip-hop riffs to their hometown for the
second Fourth of July in a row, while the Goo Goo Dolls hit the stage
with their alt-rock hits. Chrisette Michele and Chuck Brown also lend
their stylings to the festivities. Then, it's a mega-fireworks tribute
to The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. July 4, 8:00 p.m.
26th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. (215) 683-2200,
www.welcomeamerica.com
