NBC10’s Miguel Martinez-Valle is not “Ridin’ Solo” in being excited to see Jason Derulo and Ava Max headline the free July 4th concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway this summer. On Tuesday, Wawa Welcome America organizers and city leaders revealed highlights about the 16-day family-friendly festival with events throughout Philadelphia.
Editor's Note (June 15, 2022, 8:20 a.m.): Singer Tori Kelly has been added to the Wawa Welcome America July 4th concert.
Drumroll, please...
The fireworks will burst both over Philadelphia and on stage this Independence Day as the July 4, 2022 Wawa Welcome America concert -- the main event of more than two festival weeks -- returns to the heart of the City of Brotherly Love.
Jason Derulo is bringing his “Savage Love” back to the July 4th stage in Philadelphia as the singer, dancer and TikTok megastar headlines the free 2022 Wawa Welcome America Party on the Parkway concert.
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"Hey, what up Philly? It's Jason Derulo. I'm gonna see you this summer on July 4th on the Parkway," the singer said via video during Tuesday's announcement.
Singer Ava Max will also take the stage for the main event of Philadelphia’s 16-day free festival celebrating freedom and liberty.
For Derulo, this is his second time headlining the Wawa Welcome America event as he performed in front of no audience at the Met Philadelphia for the 2020 July 4th concert that was pared down due to COVID-19.
His hits include the No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits “Savage Love” – with its popular TikTok dance – and “Whatcha Say.” Other songs like “Talk Dirty,” “Wiggle,” “Want to Want Me,” “In My Head,” “Marry Me,” “Ridin’ Solo” and “Trumpets” have been big streaming and sales hits as Derulo has claimed 11 platinum singles over his 16-year career.
The 32-year-old’s albums “Talk Dirty” and “Everything Is 4” both reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200 album charts. And his TikTok page has more than 52.3 million followers.
Max joined Derulo and Vice on the 2018 song “Make Up,” maybe they will perform that jam live. Her songs “Sweet But Psycho” and “Kings & Queens” reached the Top 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. She first gained fame in her parents’ native Albania and other parts of Europe.
“We are excited for the July 4th concert to return to the Parkway,” Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said.
In 2021, Bebe Rexha and Flo Rida co-headlined the July 4th concert at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Fairmount Park.
The 2022 Party on the Parkway will be a whole day of fun for all ages, culminating in the fireworks show.
"Enjoy a day-long party jam packed with entertainment, games, food trucks, giveaways and more," the WWA website says.
Performances will be spread out across Pennsylvania Lottery Groove Stage, Chill Moody Music Stage and the Rumba 106.1 Dance Party. There will also be photos ops posing with the PNC No. 9 INDYCAR, the PECO Kids Zone and a book giveaway.
The July 4th main event, which this summer comes after two years of smaller celebrations due to the COVID pandemic, caps off 16 days of free fun to be had throughout Philadelphia as part of the annual celebration of America's freedom.
The entire 16-day Wawa Welcome America festival will look a lot more like it did prior to the COVID pandemic.
“The 2022 Wawa Welcome America festival is back,” a jubilant Wawa Welcome America president and CEO Michael DelBene said.
"Festival attendees can enjoy free concerts, fireworks, complimentary museum access, Wawa Hoagie Day, and more!" the event's website said.
The 2022 festival will begin on Juneteenth (June 19, 2022) and end on July 4, 2022.
This year, WWA is continuing with its “Freedom – Liberty” programming that was expanded in commemoration of Juneteenth in 2021.
The festival kicks off with the Juneteenth Block Party Celebrating the Legacy of Emancipation at the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) AAMP is partnering with Visit Philly to bring "a daylong, family-friendly outdoor festival that features a rich lineup of the region’s best and brightest creative luminaries."
At Tuesday's kickoff event, organizers shared some of the traditional family-friendly highlights -- including Wawa Hoagie Day on Independence Mall on June 29. The July 4th Parade will take place again this year with Miss America Emma Broyles leading the way.
Among other highlights of the events are the Chill Moody Experience on June 23, Army Field Band & Chorus on Independence on June 24, the Avenue of the Arts Block Party on June 25, Gospel on Independence -- headlined by gospel star Yolanda Adams -- on June 26, PECO Go 4th & Learn: A Cultural Journey on June 28 and Our America Now: Expressions of Freedom & Waterfront Fireworks on July 1.
Also on the WWA site, you can check out some of the museums that will open their doors for the festival, from the Museum of Illusions to the National Constitution Center to Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum. All are offering free visits, according to WWA's events page.
"Fun" is what it's all about, NBC10/Telemundo 62 president and general manager Ric Harris said.
People can enjoy the festivities in person, in their homes and wherever they have their device.
NBC10 and Telemundo 62 will be your home on air, on app and streaming for all the learning, fun and music to be enjoyed during Wawa Welcome America in Philadelphia. Stay tuned.
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