Wawa Welcome America
| Wawa Welcome America | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Holiday, Parade |
| Presented by |
Rick Williams Cecily Tynan |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of episodes | 2 (As of 4 July 2011) |
| Production | |
| Running time | 22 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | 6abc |
| Picture format |
480i (SDTV) (HDTV) |
| Original release | July 4, 2010 – present |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | 6abc IKEA Thanksgiving Day Parade |
| 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 WPVI-TV, and starts 10 days prior to Independence Day. It was formerly known as the Sunoco Welcome America event. The parade is announced by Mayor Michael Nutter and it is hosted by Rick Williams and Cecily Tynan.
Events
Taste of Philadelphia starts out the festivities as various Philadelphia-favorite foods are sampled throughout the week leading up to Independence Day. Go 4th And Learn is a storytelling venue where historical stories of Independence Day are told. Philly @ The Movies shows favorite films. Concerts are held in the last week as well. Wawa Hoagie Day was held on June 29 during the 2011 celebration, where a large hoagie is built and served. In 2011, a Chinatown block party was held on July 2, and fireworks were also displayed later that night. The "Super Scooper Ice Cream Festival" was held on July 2–4 as well, and the Philly Pops gave a concert on July 3.
Wawa Hoagie Day
On Tuesday, July 2, 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
Just off of The Philadelphia Orchestra’s China residency and 40th-anniversary tour, the world-renowned orchestra presents a free neighborhood concert on the RiverStage at the Great Plaza, followed by a small landside fireworks salute.
Philadelphia at the Movies
Relax with the stars under the stars during Philly at The Movies. Enjoy free, outdoor screenings of cinematic classics during Wawa Welcome America at iconic locations around the city.[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
The Pops on Independence Mall
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 6abc.[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.[10][13]
Parade festivities
Wawa Welcome America features thousands of festivities[14] 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
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Smith, Eric. "Wawa Welcome America! Announces Details for Two Weeks of July 4th Celebrations". uwishunu. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
- ↑ "6abc Action News for Disney Frozen at Wawa Welcome America in the City of Philadelphia". Chanel 6 ABC WPVI-TV. 2014-06-02.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Fiorillo, Victor. "The History of July 4th Parkway Concerts In Philadelphia". Philadelphia Magazine. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
- 1 2 Black, Elizabeth. "VH1 And Palladia To Broadcast The Philly 4th Of July Jam With The Roots". VH1. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Gandolfo, Kathy. "Roots, Earth Wind and Fire to rock Welcome Americas". 6abc. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
- ↑ Fiorillo, Victor. "The History of July 4th Parkway Concerts In Philadelphia". Philadelphia Magazine. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
- ↑ Williams, Rick. "What to expect at Wawa Welcome America". News. 6abc. Retrieved June 23, 2011.