July 4th double feature
The fight for independence and the fight to save the union are both observed this year.
Most Fourth of July ceremonies in Philadelphia rightly celebrate the city's colonial and Revolutionary-era accomplishments. But this year, during the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, our region also is honoring its place in that conflict with pageantry and good old partying.
To be sure, the traditional Independence Day celebrations won't be ignored - in fact, they will be as huge as ever in terms of eats, parades, fireworks, and concerts. You won't want to miss fireworks on Monday and the concert by Michael McDonald; Earth, Wind and Fire; Estelle; DJ Jazzy Jeff; Sara Bareilles; a celebration of the 40th anniversary of Philadelphia International Records; and the Roots.
Yet the pause to think about the city's part in the Civil War will be something original.
Being the Southernmost "free" city - with neither slavery nor a prolonged siege - Philadelphia was important as a mustering point for soldiers, a hospital and medical center, and a hub of manufacturing both war items and staples for the rest of the Union.
Historic Philadelphia Inc. is spearheading the remembrance of Philadelphia's legacy with "Civil War Weekend" Friday through Monday at Franklin Square, just north of Independence National Historical Park. The centerpiece will be The Civil War Road Show, an expandable 53-foot-long, 18-wheel trailer with hands-on and interactive exhibits highlighting the effects of the war on the entire state of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia's contribution to that.
Primarily, the Road Show will feature personal stories of the early 1860s from the points of view of the rich and poor, white and black, merchant and farmer. Historic Philadelphia will welcome visitors who want to bring letters or artifacts, or to tell stories about ancestors who lived in these parts during that era. They will all be uploaded to the Pennsylvania Civil War 150 website (www.pacivilwar150.com) to become part of the continuing Road Show.
In addition, actors playing important Civil War figures such as Abraham Lincoln and Octavius Catto, the black activist and educator killed in election riots here in 1871, will roam the grounds telling stories of the city's participation in the war. On Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Historic Philadelphia Center at Sixth and Chestnut Streets, Inquirer editor Dan Biddle and former Inquirer reporter Murray Dubin will sign copies of their book, Tasting Freedom, which tells the story of Catto and his activist life.
Though Betsy Ross has a big place in Revolutionary War legend, her daughter, Clarissa, was also a flag-maker. One of her Civil War flags will be displayed through the weekend, and in fact through next April at the Betsy Ross House exhibit "Rally 'Round the Flag."
Through Labor Day, Historic Philadelphia will have storytellers in costume at 13 benches around the historic area relating sagas, large and small, of Philadelphia's Civil War past. And the Peco theater at Sixth and Chestnut will have a 15-minute film, "Liberty 360," showing progress from the Emancipation Proclamation to the civil rights era of the 20th century.
Hours for Civil War weekend are at Franklin Square, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and Monday; the Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch St., 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. Liberty 360 in the Historic Philadelphia Center, Sixth and Chestnut Streets, every 20 minutes from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday. Information: 215-629-4026; historicphiladelphia.org.
The Wawa Welcome America celebration continues apace starting at 9 p.m. Friday with a free audience-participation sing-along showing of the movie Hairspray at JFK Plaza (LOVE Park), 15th and Arch Streets.
The weekend celebration gets going in earnest Saturday, first with the science version of the "Go 4th and Learn" series, this one at the Franklin Institute, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., studying the science of fireworks. The fireworks will be part of an evening of patriotic music on both sides of the Delaware River. On the Camden side at Wiggins Park, the Air National Guard Mid-Atlantic band will perform, while at Penn's Landing's Great Plaza, it will be the U.S. Army Band - both starting to play about 7:30 p.m., with fireworks at dusk.
In between will be two smaller celebrations: the Chinatown Block Party from noon to 4 p.m., with cultural exhibits, food, and local entertainment, and the Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival - $7 for unlimited ice cream - from noon to 5 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at Penn's Landing to benefit the Joshua Kahan Fund for pediatric leukemia. It will continue Sunday and Monday from noon to 5 p.m.
Sunday evening will bring a free Philly Pops concert at Independence Hall at 8 p.m.
Monday - July 4th, the country's 235th birthday - begins with the traditional patriotic music and speeches from 10 to 11 a.m. at Independence Hall. Immediately after, the Independence Day Parade steps off at Fifth and Chestnut Streets. The parade route goes west to Ninth Street, north to Market, and then back east to Front Street.
Following the parade, at 12:30 p.m., is the cake ceremony with Tastykakes for all at the Independence Visitor Center, Sixth and Market Streets. At 1:45 p.m. there's a special bell-tapping at the Liberty Bell, Sixth and Chestnut Streets, sponsored by descendants of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Sons of the American Revolution.
On Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Party on the Parkway is scheduled from noon to 7 p.m., with the usual food vendors from fast food to gourmet, three sound stages and entertainment, including the now-traditional Liberty Strongman Classic, with the muscular lifting weights, pulling trucks and hauling concrete cylinders, all in the name of competition.
The climax of Welcome America is a musical fiesta at Eakins Oval, 20th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, starting at 7 p.m. with the concert lineup before the grand fireworks show at approximately 10 p.m. Information: 215-545-4715; www.welcomeamerica.com.
For fireworks and Independence Day events, go to www.philly.com/
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