A group takes a selfie in their free Wawa promotional hats as the parade passes by near Independence Mall at the Wawa Salute to Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)
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Considering Philly is the original capital of this 247-year-old nation, our fervor for Independence Day makes sense.
It could also have something to do with the 10-day extravaganza known as the Wawa Welcome America festival. Celebrations leading up to the holiday and Fourth of July itself included parades, free museum days at institutions across the city, and block parties with free food.
Among the biggest celebrations are the Wawa Salute to Independence Day Parade and the free concert and party on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Hundreds of attendees braved muggy weather, sporadic storms, and temperatures that soared above 90 degrees to attend both events.
The parade started in Old City and proceeded toward City Hall along Market Street, commemorating the rich local history and celebrating the contributions of indigenous and immigrant communities that make the city what it is today.
A trio of members from the Lenape tribe led the parade, while dozens of cultural groups sang and danced their way alongside marching bands, dancers, and, U.S. military units, and historical characters.
A member of the Lenape tribe speaks to the crowd before leading the procession down Market St. at the Wawa Salute to Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)
Later on, the anticipated performances by Demi Lovato and Ludacris were postponed by an hour due to scattered showers and thunderstorms.
Even the rain didn’t stop a small but mighty crowd of attendees from continuing with their an energetic dance party in the wet weather with musical stylings by Philly’s own, DJ Diamond Cuts, while others wandered the parkway grabbing ice cream and drinks along the way soon to return for the concert and firework finale.
Scroll down to check out pics from the the birthplace of our nation on the anniversary of its independence.
A Betsy Ross impersonator sits near a Liberty Bell replica on a float during the Wawa Salute to Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)Hundreds of spectators lined Market St. to get a glimpse of the floats and marchers at the Wawa Salute to Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)No Philadelphia gathering is complete without Philly Elmo and his fellow Impulse Music group mates making an appearance. Though they weren’t an official part of the parade, many spectators cheered them as they walked by on the sidewalk at the Wawa Salute to Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)A performer on stilts makes her way along Market St. during the Wawa Salute to Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)A group of break dancers performs for a group of spectators at the Wawa July 4th Concert and Fireworks at Benjamin Franklin Parkway.. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)Cultural groups walked and danced along Market St. at the Wawa Salute to Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)Two veterans walk together as spectators cheer them on at the Wawa Salute to Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)
A marcher plays the tuba as the procession makes its way up Market St. at the Wawa Salute to Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)
Miss Philadelphia Teen, Eva Delricci, makes a face as spectators cheer her on in the rain at the Wawa Salute to Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)
Parade participants take a selfie together before the procession begins at the Wawa Salute to Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)
Hundreds of spectators lined Market St. to get a glimpse of the floats and marchers at the Wawa Salute to Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)
Spectators share a moment with a police officer on duty at the Wawa Salute to Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)
Hundreds of spectators lined Market St. to get a glimpse of the floats and marchers at the Wawa Salute to Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)
Two veterans walk together as spectators cheer them on at the Wawa Salute to Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)
A line of police on horseback bring up the tail end of the procession at the Wawa Salute to Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)Attendees walk along Benjamin Franklin Parkway at the at the Wawa July 4th Concert and Fireworks.. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)
Philly’s own Dj Diamond Kuts performs at the Wawa July 4th Concert and Fireworks.. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)
Attendees danced in the rain while Dj Diamon Kuts played a set at the Wawa July 4th Concert and Fireworks. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)
Attendees danced in the rain while Dj Diamon Kuts played a set at the Wawa July 4th Concert and Fireworks.. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)
Attendees walk along Benjamin Franklin Parkway at the Wawa July 4th Concert and Fireworks.. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)
Attendees danced in the rain while Dj Diamon Kuts played a set at the Wawa July 4th Concert and Fireworks.. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)Attendees danced in the rain while Dj Diamon Kuts played a set at the Wawa July 4th Concert and Fireworks.. (Erin Blewett for Billy Penn)
