Philadelphia

Wednesday, July 3rd Events: Firefighters' Mural Unveiled, Philly POPS, Jurassic World

Firefighting in Philadelphia is getting a mural in Old City, as an unveiling Wednesday morning of the homage to one of America's oldest departments took place at Ladder 2.

Dozens of kids helped kick off the painting of a 1,400-square-foot mural on the side of the fire station at Fourth and Arch streets near Independence Hall.

A new mural dedicated to the Philadelphia Fire Department made its debut Wednesday as part of Wawa Welcome America’s PECO Go 4th & Learn event. Children painted their own murals, learned fire safety tips and much more.

Artist Eric Okdeh, who has painted murals in Philadelphia and in a few other countries, is leading the effort, which will be completed by the fall.

In Center City, people gathered to honor the legacy of South Philly's own Marian Anderson. The musical icon performance at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939 and helped set the stage for the civil rights era. 

Her memory was honored Wednesday with a screening of "Once in a Hundred Years: The Life and Legacy of Marian Anderson" and special appearances by women from throughout the region.

Throughout the day, more museums allowed people to visit for free or pay as they wanted, including the National Liberty MuseumMoore College of Arts and DesignPenn MuseumPhiladelphia Art MuseumEastern State Penitentiary and Fireman's Hall Museum.

Around 5:30 p.m., movie go-ers enjoyed music by DJ Hollywood and dinosaur themed trivia as well as complimentary popcorn at Mander Playground in Fairmount Park before a screening of the most recent of the Jurassic Park series, "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom."

As part of the Wawa Welcome Americas’s continuing free celebrations, the Philly POPS will hold a free concert at Independence Mall Wednesday night. 

Finally, with conductor Todd Ellison leading the way, the 65-piece Philly POPS orchestra performed some patriotic and broadway favorite musical selections to an enthusiastic crowd on Independence Mall Wednesday evening.

The Voices of the Pops and special guest Susan Egan - the voice of the original Belle in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ on Broadway- joined the Pops in serenading the crowd of thousands.

The concert also included a special moment for a couple who had their first date at the same event three years ago. With help from the POPS, Michael got down on one knee in front of the crowd and proposed to his girlfriend, now fiancée, Brianna.

Philly POPS Perform Patriotic Tunes and Broadway Favorites


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