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America’s founders enjoyed a relatively mild start to July as they signed off on the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago. Those planning this year’s celebrations marking the semiquincentennial anniversary of that document don’t appear to be as lucky.
A forecast for soaring temperatures this week culminates with highs hitting more than 100 degrees on Thursday and Friday. Much higher than the 76 degrees Thomas Jefferson recorded on July 4, 1776, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The National Weather Service calls for a high of 97 on Wednesday, 102 on Thursday and 101 on Friday.
Unless the forecast changes before the end of the week, it’s all but assured the city will issue a Code Red warning, which is designed to keep people experiencing homelessness safe. Those measures include 24-hour outreach to find unhoused people and transport them to safe indoor spaces and opening all available beds within the city’s emergency housing network for those in need.
A heat health emergency is also likely to be issued, which could impact attendance at multiple public events planned for this week. The city’s Office of Emergency Management says a heat health emergency is declared when daytime temperatures reach the 90s or triple digits and are accompanied by high humidity for two or more days.
Under those conditions, dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke can happen.
During a normal summer heat wave, the city will open special cooling centers and direct people to libraries and other locations to get relief from the hot temps.
As part of the large number of visitors expected in the city this week for both the America 250 festivities and the FIFA World Cup match on the Fourth of July, the city has also set up cooling tents at the Lemon Hill fan fest site with misters to help soccer fans cool off. Four hospitality hubs have also been set up from City Hall to Lemon Hill to offer water and misting stations.
Outdoor activities on the schedule
Outdoor activities planned this week include the massive, six-hour Fourth of July concert event hosted by comedian Wanda Sykes on the Parkway featuring Meek Mill, Jill Scott, Christina Aguilera, The Roots and Will Smith. Earlier on Saturday, soccer fans will descend on South Philly for a round-of-16 elimination game at 5 p.m.
Earlier in the week, on Thursday, July 2, the Philadelphia Historic District 250th Committee will host Red, White, and Blue To-Do, or a day of “pomp and parade,” including an outdoor block party followed by a nighttime “Salute to Service” concert featuring the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus.
On Friday, what’s being billed as “largest professionally produced semiquincentennial parade in the nation” will see 50 marching bands, 13 floats and historic and cultural showcases celebrating America’s past, present and future. From noon to 4 p.m., the parade will begin at 5th and Chestnut streets before passing Independence Hall and traveling down Market Street, circling City Hall, continuing along the Parkway, looping around Logan Circle, and ending at Broad and Chestnut streets.
Also on Friday, the National Constitution Center will award the 38th annual Liberty Medal to Pope Leo XIV for his lifelong work promoting religious liberty and freedom of expression.
Pope Leo will deliver remarks virtually from the Vatican. The speech will be livestreamed and viewable to an outdoor crowd on Independence Mall.
From 7 to 9 p.m. Friday night, the Philly Pops will perform an outdoor concert at Independence Mall with Tony Award-winning performer Idina Mendzel.
You can find a fuller list of activities at WHYY.org.
