Wawa Welcome America

Wawa Welcome America
Genre Holiday, Parade
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 2 (As of 4 July 2011)
Release
Original network NBC10 & Telemundo62
Original release July 4, 2010 (2010-07-04) – present
External links
Website

Wawa Welcome America is an annual series of celebrations leading up to Independence Day, held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, currently sponsored by Wawa and aired on NBC10 & Telemundo62.

Philadelphia, America’s birthplace, hosts the nation’s largest, free, family-friendly Independence Day celebration – June 27 – July 4, 2016. The week-long festival features multicultural and multigenerational events, including: free concerts; spectacular fireworks displays; block parties; a patriotic parade; and educational activities.

It was formerly known as the Sunoco Welcome America event.

Events

Go 4th And Learn is an educational program to engage children and their parents with free fun events throughout the city.

Philly @ the Movies shows favorite films throughout the City.

Free concerts are held throughout the holiday weekend, ending with the Wawa Welcome America! July 4 Concert on the Parkway.

Wawa Hoagie Day is an event held the week prior to July 4 where a 5-ton hoagie is created and distributed to the public on the Independence Visitor’s Center Lawn in honor of our military, fire and police.

Philly Pops perform a free concert in front of Independence Hall on July 3.

Wawa Hoagie Day

On Thursday, June 30 beginning at noon, spend your lunch break on Independence Mall with all of the freshly made hoagies you can imagine. Join the mayor and hoagie-lovers from around the region for Wawa Hoagie Day. Feast on 4.5 tons of hoagies on the lawn of the Independence Visitor Center and salute the nation’s military, police and fire departments during the delicious annual celebration.[1]

Philadelphia Orchestra Neighborhood Concert

July 1: The world-renowned orchestra presents a free neighborhood concert on the RiverStage at the Great Plaza, followed by a spectacular fireworks display.

Philadelphia at the Movies

June 27 - June 30: Relax with the stars under the stars during Philly at The Movies. Enjoy free, outdoor screenings of cinematic classics during Wawa Welcome America at locations around the city.[2][3][4][5][6]

The Pops on Independence Mall

July 3: The ever-energetic Philly Pops return once more to Independence Mall to celebrate America’s birthday in America’s birthplace. POPS! on Independence, a free concert at Independence Hall, is one of Philadelphia’s most popular Fourth of July traditions, and seating is first come, first served. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.[7]

4th of July

On July 4 itself, the Independence Hall celebration was first held, then the Independence Day parade, then the "Party on the Parkway" is held that lasts until a large, free concert that features headline acts gets underway in the early evening. That concert lasts until about 10-11 PM EDT, and then the grand finale of fireworks are held near the Philadelphia Museum of Art to cap off the Welcome America celebration.

Celebration of Freedom

Begin your 4 July celebration and pay tribute to the history of our great nation at Independence Hall with a patriotic morning full of celebration of music, speeches and a reading of excerpts from the Declaration of Independence.

Independence Day Parade

America’s Birthday continues in America’s birthplace with the annual Independence Day Parade through Historic Philadelphia. Participants from across the country march through the nation’s most historic mile. The old-time Fourth of July parade features floats, marching bands, military groups and more.

Party on the Parkway

Party on the Parkway: Music, dancing, cultural activities, arts and crafts and live entertainment make for an afternoon of family fun on the 4th.[8]

Philly 4th of July Jam and Grand Finale Fireworks

Every year a free outdoor concert is held on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The concert is followed by fireworks. The free live performance has been a Philadelphia tradition for more than two decades.[9] Past performers have included notable hometown acts and top selling artists. Starting in 2013 the concert was broadcast nationally on Vh1, in addition to local network broadcast by NBC10.[10]

2015 The Roots along with Jennifer Nettles, Miguel, MKTO and Zella Day.
2014 Pop stars Nicki Minaj, Ed Sheeran, Ariana Grande, Aloe Blacc, Jennifer Hudson, and The Voice finalist Vicci Martinez joined The Roots on stage.[11]
2013 The Roots and special guests included John Mayer, Ne-Yo, Jill Scott, and host comedian Kevin Hart.
2012 The Roots and special guests Darryl Hall, Queen Latifah, Common, Lauryn Hill, and Joe Jonas.
2011 The Roots and special guests Earth Wind & Fire, Michael McDonald, Estelle, Sara Bareilles, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Aaron Neville and Gerald Veasley.[12]
2010 The Roots and The Goo Goo Dolls
2009 Sheryl Crow and The Roots
2008 John Legend, an alumnus of Philadelphia-based University of Pennsylvania
2007 Hall & Oates
2006 Lionel Richie and Fantasia
2005 Elton John and Patti LaBelle
2004 The Isley Brothers

Prior years have included: Garth Brooks, The Jonas Brothers, Smokey Robinson, The Beach Boys, and many others.[9][10]

Parade festivities

Wawa Welcome America features thousands of festivities[13] like Wawa Hoagie Day, which thousands of people from around the world enjoy a footlong Wawa hoagie made by real Wawa workers. The parade also has music from many performers such as The Roots, who reside in Philadelphia. along with Earth, Wind and Fire, Michael McDonald, Estelle, Sara Bareilles, and Philly's own D.J. Jazzy Jeff.

References

  1. ↑ Jenkins, Kristina. "Our Guide To Wawa Welcome America! The Festivals, Concerts And Family-Friendly Fun Of Philadelphia's Fourth of July Celebrations". uwishunu. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  2. ↑ Smith, Eric. "Wawa Welcome America! Announces Details for Two Weeks of July 4th Celebrations". uwishunu. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  3. ↑ "6abc Action News for Disney Frozen at Wawa Welcome America in the City of Philadelphia". Chanel 6 ABC WPVI-TV. 2014-06-02.
  4. ↑ "Disney Big Hero 6 - Raising the P.A.W.N. MOVIE THEATER at Wawa Welcome America Philly @ the Movies". P.A.W.N. LASER www.LaserLightShow.ORG. 2015-06-29.
  5. ↑ "Rocky 2015 at The Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps - Raising the P.A.W.N. Movie Theater at Wawa Welcome America Philly @ the Movies". P.A.W.N. LASER www.LaserLightShow.ORG. 2015-07-01.
  6. ↑ "2015 Mayor Michael Nutter's Speech RE: Wawa Welcome America & Raising the P.A.W.N. Movie Theater Philly @ the Movies". P.A.W.N. LASER www.LaserLightShow.ORG. 2015-07-02.
  7. ↑ Stadd, Allison. "July 4th 2012 In Philadelphia: Wawa Welcome America Returns June 25-July 4 With Questlove Back As Musical Director, Four Concerts, Four Outdoor Movie Screenings, Three Fireworks Shows And Two Weekends". uwishunu. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  8. ↑ Jenkins, Kristina. "July 4th In Philadelphia: Our Hour-By-Hour Guide To Wawa Welcome America Activities And Celebrations Throughout The Day". uwishunu. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  9. 1 2 Fiorillo, Victor. "The History of July 4th Parkway Concerts In Philadelphia". Philadelphia Magazine. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  10. 1 2 Black, Elizabeth. "VH1 And Palladia To Broadcast The Philly 4th Of July Jam With The Roots". VH1. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  11. ↑ Stadd, Allison. "Save The Date: Wawa Welcome America Returns This Summer With The Roots, Ed Sheeran, Nicki Minaj And Jennifer Hudson Headlining The Philly 4th of July Jam And Much More, June 28-July 4". uwishunu. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  12. ↑ Gandolfo, Kathy. "Roots, Earth Wind and Fire to rock Welcome Americas". 6abc. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  13. ↑ Williams, Rick. "What to expect at Wawa Welcome America". News. 6abc. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
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