THANK YOU….
No matter how big a “thank you” that I send out to the sponsors, partners, city departments, staff and volunteers that worked so hard and so well to support the production of the country’s premier, 11-day celebration of America’s birthday, it would still fall short of expressing just how important your efforts and contributions were to the success of Wawa Welcome America, June 24 through July 4, 2011.
In many opinions, including mine, this was the biggest and best Wawa Welcome America ever! It’s a fact that no event of this size, scope and significance could have been produced without the wholehearted commitment of supporting sponsors, partners, and the multitude of experienced staff and City Department administrators who came together for Wawa Welcome America. From the Managing Director’s Office, to Public Property, Philadelphia International Airport, Fairmount Park, Streets Department, Health Department and the remarkable executive team at the Office of the City Representative, this was certainly a collaboration to be proud of.
Sponsors including Wawa Inc.; WPVI – 6ABC; the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and philly.com; Temple University School of Tourism and Hospitality Management as well as Delaware River Waterfront Corporation and visitPA.com joined with powerhouse promotional partners such as the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation; Historic Philadelphia, Inc.; National Independence Historical Park; PECO; Bank of America and the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau to give Wawa Welcome America all the promotional impact needed to ensure that Philadelphia is recognized as the only place to be to celebrate the birth of America’s Independence.
The 2011 Wawa Welcome America festival had a tremendous presence with the Taste of Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing; Go 4th & Learn literacy programs at the Franklin Institute, Franklin Square, and the Dell Music Center; and events at the National Constitution Center; Love Park; Rittenhouse Square; the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Independence Visitors Center; Philadelphia’s Chinatown, and retail and hospitality locations throughout the city.
And, finally, the biggest “thank you” of all for the incredible commitment of Wawa, Inc. to the City of Philadelphia and its citizens in helping to bring Wawa Welcome America to the people…Philadelphia’s neighborhoods, suburban residents and out-of-town visitors alike had a chance to see what Wawa’s dedication to the support and programming of this amazing celebration brought to life—an unrivaled festival for the Fourth of July filled with all the great music, fantastic food, family-fun and spectacular fireworks befitting America’s Birthday as it can only be celebrated here in Philadelphia……
THANK YOU!
MICHAEL A. NUTTER
Mayor
Wawa Welcome America! wows Philadelphia click here to find out how.
One Fine Fourth!
2011 Wawa Welcome America! Philly 4th of July Jam and Grand Finale Fireworks
Surprise guest Marsha Ambrosius opened the Philly 4th of July Jam singing the Star Spangled Banner. (photo by David Mathews for Welcome America, Inc.)
The surprises kept rolling out, as the popular a cappella group, Committed, took center stage on July 4th. (photo by David Mathews for Welcome America, Inc.)
The Roots pumped up the crowd for the opening of the Philly 4th of July Jam on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. (photo by David Mathews for Welcome America, Inc.)
Sarah Bareilles set the mood, as she sang her popular tune, “Love Song” during the Philly 4th of July Jam. (photo by David Mathews for Welcome America, Inc.)
Crowd reacts to opening of the Philly 4th of July Jam at Eakins Oval on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. (photo by Gabe Wiener for Welcome America, Inc.)
Surprise guests Boyz II Men connected with the crowd during the Philly 4th of July Jam on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. (photo by Gabe Wiener for Welcome America, Inc.)
2011 Grand Finale Fireworks lit up the sky over the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (photo by Gabe Wiener for Welcome America, Inc.)
2011 Wawa Welcome America! Celebration of Freedom and Independence Day Parade
Fife and Drum Corps performed at the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony at Independence Hall. (photo by Gabe Wiener for Welcome America, Inc.)
The Liberty Belles salute the military at the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony at Independence Hall (photo by Gabe Wiener for Welcome America, Inc.)
The military had a strong presence during the Independence Day Parade marching through the nations most historic square mile. (photo by Gabe Wiener for Welcome America, Inc.)
With more than 4,000 participants from a dozen states the Independence Day Parade was one of the most diverse Fourth of July parades in the country. (photo by Gabe Wiener for Welcome America, Inc.)
Congratulations to the finalists of the Wawa Welcome America! Singer/Songwriter Competition. Check them out on YouTube, and hear them battle it out live for the grand prize at the Penn’s Landing RiverStage Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 3:00 p.m.
Tim Williams and The Delicate Few
Yemi
GuerillaFunk
SAP Sounds
Download your 2011 Wawa Welcome America! brochure today.
June 14, 2011
The Philly Pops® are back! Join us at Independence Mall on July 3rd at 8 pm for this Festival favorite. Come early and bring your friends and a picnic!
(From left to right) Peter Nero with City Representative, Melanie Johnson (Photo by Bill Z. Foster)
Wawa Welcome America! is giving you the chance to be a star! The Wawa Welcome America Singer/Songwriter Competition is now open for submissions. Enter today for your chance to win a four-hour demo session with Grammy nominated producer/songwriters Carvin & Ivan. This contest closes June 21st.
(From left to right) Ivan Barias, City Representative Melanie Johnson and Carvin Haggins (Photo by Bill Z. Foster)
Don’t miss opening night of Taste of Philadelphia where local Jazz Bassist, Gerald Veasley takes the Penn’s Landing Riverstage at 7:30 pm.
(From left to right) City Representative Melanie Johnson with Gerald Veasley (Photo by Bill Z. Foster)
April 12, 2011
Mayor Michael A. Nutter Announces Entertainment For The 2011 Wawa Welcome America! Festival
Four-time Grammy award-winning band The Roots will headline Philly’s Fourth of July Jam during Wawa Welcome America! The band and their Musical Director ?uestlove will be performing their set as well as sets with special guests Earth, Wind & Fire, Michael McDonald, Estelle, Sara Bareilles, DJ Jazzy Jeff and more on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The concert will also include a special tribute to the 40th Anniversary of Gamble and Huff’s iconic Philadelphia International Records, “The Sound of Philadelphia.”
(From left to right) Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson, Mayor Michael Nutter, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter and Melanie Johnson, City Representative and Executive Director, WWA (photo by Tony Webb, City of Philadelphia)
We Can’t Wait To See You On The Parkway!
Welcome America! is Philadelphia’s 4th of July celebration where for eleven days we showcase all that America’s birthplace has to offer. Our fantastic title sponsor Wawa, Inc. is back for their second year helping to make this a Fourth of July you won’t want to miss.
Visitors can look forward to the great food, history, free entertainment and fun they have come to expect from this “incredibly Philadelphia” celebration of the birth of our nation. There is something special for residents, visitors, teens, grandparents and everyone in between.
While most are familiar with our 4th of July concert and its place as the “Largest Free Concert in America”, there is also an entire week of additional activities to enjoy. For the second year in a row we are thrilled to offer not one, not two, but three spectacular fireworks shows that will light up Philadelphia’s night skies! We can’t wait to see you there!
