Wawa Welcome America

Wawa Welcome America
Genre	Holiday parade
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	25 (As of July 4, 2017)
Release
Original network	NBC10 Telemundo62
Original release	July 4, 1993 (1993-07-04) – present
External links
Website	www.wawawelcomeamerica.com

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

Philadelphia, America’s birthplace, hosts the nation’s largest, free, family-friendly Independence Day celebration from June 29 – July 4. The 6-day 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 in the neighborhoods.

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.

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

Historic Philadelphia District Block Party is a diverse block party filled with food trucks, craft vendors, historic re-enactments, performances and more on the streets surrounding Independence Mall on July 3rd prior to the Philly Pops performance in front of Independence Hall.

Wawa Hoagie Day

On Thursday, June 29 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 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

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

When the sun goes down, the screens go up! Enjoy free, outdoor screenings of cinematic classics under the stars 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]

Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert & 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]

2017 Mary J. Blige, Boyz II Men, Mandy Gonzalez, Tony DeSare, Luis Figueroa

2016 Leon Bridges along with Leslie Odom Jr., Yazz The Greatest, The O'Jays, and a Gamble and Huff tribute.^[11]
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.^[12]
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.^[13]
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
2003 Musiq and Peter Frampton
2002 Brian McKnight and The Baha Men
2001 Garth Brooks
2000 Earth, Wind & Fire
1999 Dionne Warwick
1998 Boyz II Men
1997 Ray Charles
1996 Patti Labelle
1995 The Beach Boys
1994 Smokey Robinson, Peter Nero, and The Philly Pops
1993 The Pointer Sisters and The Philly Pops

^[9][10][14]

Parade festivities

Wawa Welcome America features thousands of festivities^[15] 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

External links

• Official website