For 100 years the Benjamin Franklin Parkway has connected Philadelphia City Hall to Fairmount Park, hosting American presidents, popes, academics and, even, BeyoncΓ© along the way.
It's the beating heart of Philadelphia's cultural scene and its turning 100 years old.
The Parkway was originally designed to give Philly a little slice of Paris. Construction began in 1917 and took about a year to finish. It was originally called the Fairmount Parkway before being named for Phillyβs favorite Founding Father in 1937.
To celebrate its centennial, the city has a full year of events planned including a big one Thursday night, the Cai Guo-Qiang: Fireflies public art performance featuring see a dreamlike orchestra of pedicabs β which are peddled taxi-cabs β mounted with glowing lanterns. The 7:30 p.m. event is free.
For the next year, Parkway 100 has events planned from special museum exhibits to public art installations to concert series. Click here for details.