Philly cleans up the aftermath of America’s 250th birthday
The Philadelphia Department of Sanitation sent out approximately 100 workers and 50 trucks to clean up the Benjamin Franklin Parkway area.
Sunday morning, a massive Liberty Bell display still hung over the stage near the Philadelphia Art Museum, where hours earlier Meek Mill, Will Smith, and backing band the Roots were the last to perform at the One Philly: Unity Concert for America. Gone were the fireworks and revelers, but the white tents, chain-link fencing, and long rows of porta-potties were reminders of a concert that lasted until nearly 2:45 a.m.
It wasn’t supposed to go that long. But a summer storm around 9 p.m. rolled in with intense wind gusts, rain, and lightning, leading the city to evacuate the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
The city didn’t have an official number, but estimated that “thousands” of concertgoers returned, just after midnight, to get the party started again. So did the performers, with the exception of Christina Aguilera.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said she trusted the experts and welcomed people back to the concert once it was safe.
“I want to thank The Roots and all of their incredible guests for their relentless energy and for delivering an incredibly inspiring performance worthy of America’s 250th birthday,” Parker said in a Sunday news release.
As the smoke from the fireworks show settled around 3 a.m., the city Department of Sanitation sent out approximately 100 laborers and 50 trucks to clean up the Ben Franklin Parkway and the surrounding area, the city said in the news release.
By morning, much of the mess was gone. Security magnetometers sat in a pile, ready to be picked up and taken away, while dozens of staff from Imperial Events Services worked to keep runners and curious onlookers out of what was supposed to be a secure area.
“The joggers are mad at us,” said one staffer, as his team found a gap in the fence that allowed people into the closed-off area.