Message from the Mayor

Welcome to Philadelphia, where America was born! We believe that there’s no better place to celebrate July 4, 2012 than the very city that hosted the first Fourth of July in 1776. We’re honored to roll out the “red, white and blue” carpet to you for Wawa Welcome America!, the nation’s largest, free July 4th festival.

From June 25 to July 4, 2012, Wawa Welcome America! will offer you and your family high-quality, free and most importantly, fun entertainment to celebrate America’s birthday with us. We invite residents and visitors alike to experience and enjoy two spectacular fireworks displays, a day-long Party on the Parkway, a full-scale Independence Day Parade and the Largest Free Concert in America. From outdoor movies to interactive, educational programming for children to a vast range of “tastes” of Philadelphia’s best cuisine, we’re serving it up for our guests to celebrate the Fourth.

This year, Taste of Philadelphia, a culinary paradise, will offer an even bigger bite to food fanatics. During this three-day food and jazz sensation, some of Philadelphia’s most notable restaurants and famous food trucks will line the waterfront along Penn’s Landing as acclaimed blues and jazz artists entertain guests on two stages with the sultry sounds of summer. There will certainly be a “taste” for everyone who joins us.

In Philadelphia, we save the best for last – and our festival grand finale is “The Largest Free Concert in America,” the Philly 4th of July Jam. This year, we’ll welcome back Philadelphia’s own The Roots, to take the stage as the official house band for the Philly 4th of July Jam. They will be joined by an impressive array of some of the brightest and boldest musicians in the country, including Queen Latifah, Daryl Hall, Common, Joe Jonas and other special guests. The concert will end with a bang – literally – as fireworks illuminate the sky over one of the world’s architectural gems, the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

While you’re enjoying the festival’s jam-packed event lineup, be sure to make time to also visit Philadelphia’s signature attractions and America’s icons. We’re sure that no matter how you choose to spend your time here, you’ll find out quickly why Philadelphia is the ultimate place to celebrate the Fourth of July. I hope you make memories that last a lifetime in our great city.

Michael A. Nutter

Mayor, City of Philadelphia