Things are a little different this year for Wawa Welcome America's Party on the Parkway. Here's what you need to know about security, entrances and what you can and can't bring when you arrive to celebrate with us!
Where and When Is the Party and Concert?
The event takes place on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and will run from Logan Circle (20th street) to Eakins Oval at the Art Museum.
The Party on the Parkway starts at noon with performances and activities. Jennifer Hudson takes the main stage with the Philly Pops, starting at 7:00 p.m., followed by Meghan Trainor for the Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert. Stick around for the fireworks — scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m.
What Can You Bring?
Make sure you check your items before heading to the Parkway.
You can bring: small personal coolers with food and drink; pets on leashes; chairs and blankets
Items NOT allowed (but are not limited to): weapons and contraband of any kind (regardless of permitting, e.g. Right-to-Carry permits will not be honored and weapons will be confiscated); fireworks, firecrackers or explosives (including sparklers); open flame of any kind; illegal or illicit substances of any kind; flyers; handbills, posters, stickers (no solicitation allowed); unauthorized commerce; items that would obstruct others’ view (large signs, banners, etc.); and drones
Pro-Tip: If you're unsure about an item, leave it at home.
Entrances
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This year, there will be designated entrances to the Party and Concert on the Parkway.
In total, there are ten entrances along the Parkway, two of which are for ticketed guests only. The ticketed guest entrances are at the corner of 22nd and Winter streets and the corner of 23rd and Spring Garden streets.
The other entrances include two on each side the Parkway on 21st street, two on each side of the Parkway on 20th street, and four around Logan Circle.
Road Closures
Here is a day-by-day list of closures and the events occurring that will be happening in the area of the road blocks:
June 30: Historic Philadelphia Block Party & Gospel on Independence Mall
• 6th Street, between Arch and Chestnut Streets, will be closed from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• 5th Street, between Arch and Chestnut Streets, will be closed from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Chestnut Street, between 5th and 6th Streets, will be closed from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
• Market Street, between 5th and 6th Streets, will be closed from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Philly @ the Movies — Rocky Movie Night
• Westernmost travel lane of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at Eakins Oval will be closed in front of the Art Museum between Kelly Drive and MLK Drive entrance from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Eakins Oval, in front of the Art Museum, will be closed from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Kelly Drive inbound will be detoured onto Fairmount Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue
July 1: U.S. Army Field Band Concert
• Chestnut/Market Street Viaduct, from Front and Chestnut Streets to 2nd and Market Streets, will be closed from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
July 2: POPS on Independence and Celebration of Freedom Ceremony Stage Construction
• Chestnut Street, between 5th and 6th Streets, will be closed from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Wawa Hoagie Day
• Arch Street, between 5th and 6th Streets, will be closed from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Kimmel Center’s Great American Party on the Plaza
• Spruce Street, between Broad and 15th Streets, will be closed from 12:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Westernmost travel lane of Broad Street (southbound side), between Locust and Pine Streets, will be closed from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
July 3: PECO Go 4th & Learn with the Philadelphia Fire Department
• Arch Street, between 3rd and 4th Streets, will be closed from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
POPS on Independence and Celebration of Freedom Ceremony Stage Construction
• Chestnut Street, between 5th and 6th Streets, will be closed from approximately 9:00 a.m. on July 3 through 7:00 p.m. on July 4, 2019
• 6th Street, between Market and Chestnut Streets, will be closed from approximately 9:00 a.m. on July 3 through 3:00 p.m. on July 4, 2019
Party on the Parkway Site Build
• Inner lanes of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, between 20th Street and Eakins Oval, will be closed beginning at 9:30 a.m.
o Inner westbound lanes of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will reopen between 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. for evening rush hour
o Inner lanes of Benjamin Franklin Parkway will close completely (both directions) at 6:30 p.m. through event breakdown on July 4
July 4, 2019: Celebration of Freedom Ceremony and Salute to America Independence Day Parade
• Chestnut Street, between 5th and 6th Streets, from prior day closures will be in effect until 7:00 p.m.
• 6th Street, between Market and Chestnut Streets, from prior day closures will be in effective until 3:00 p.m.
• 3rd Street, between Arch and Walnut Streets, will be closed from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• 4th Street, between Arch and Walnut Streets, will be closed from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• 5th Street, between Arch and Walnut Streets, will be closed from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Chestnut Street, from Front Street to 7th Street, will be closed from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Chestnut Street, from 7th Street to 10th Street, will be closed from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The remainder of the morning parade route will be closed at approximately 10:00 a.m. on July 4, 2019.
Parade Route: Staging in the 400 block of Chestnut Street. Proceeds west on Chestnut to 9th Street, north on 9th Street to Market Street, east on Market Street to the dispersal area on Front Street.
All streets affected by the parade will be cleaned before being re-opened to vehicular traffic.
Party on the Parkway / Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert & Fireworks
All closures listed below are in effect from approximately 4:00 a.m. on July 4 to 5:00 a.m. on July 5 unless otherwise noted:
• Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 18th Street to Eakins Oval (all lanes)
• Eakins Oval (all lanes)
• Kelly Drive between Eakins Oval and Fairmount Avenue (Kelly Drive inbound closed at Fountain Green Drive beginning at approximately 5:00 p.m.)
• Rear of Art Museum – Anne d’Harnoncourt Drive (Media Entry at 25th Street and Kelly Drive)
• 2000-2100 Winter Street
• MLK Drive from Falls Bridge to Eakins Oval
• Spring Garden Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and 31st Street
• 23rd Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Eakins Oval
All closures listed below are in effect from approximately 4:00 a.m. on July 4 to 2:00 a.m. on July 5 unless otherwise noted:
• 1900 Race Street
• 1800-1900 Vine Street
• I-676 Off-Ramp at 22nd Street
• I-676 On-Ramp at 22nd Street
• I-76 eastbound Off-Ramp at Spring Garden Street
• Spring Garden Tunnel
• Park Towne Place between 22nd Street and 24th Street
• 22nd Street between Winter Street and Pennsylvania Avenue (local access maintained for Park Towne residents via complex driveway on 22nd Street)
• 21st Street between Winter Street and Pennsylvania Avenue
• 20th Street between Arch Street and Pennsylvania Avenue
• 19th Street between Callowhill Street and Cherry Street
The following roads will be closed on July 4 beginning at approximately 1:00 p.m. until approximately 1:00 p.m. on July 5:
• All roads from Arch Street to Spring Garden Street, 18th Street to 22nd Street (local access maintained for residents)
• All roads from Arch Street to Fairmount Avenue, 22nd Street to Corinthian Street (local access maintained for residents)
• 16th and 17th Streets, between Arch Street and Spring Garden Street will be closed only if conditions warrant in the interest of public safety
• 1600-1700 Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be closed only if conditions warrant in the interest of public safety
Due to public safety interests relating to the fireworks show, all roads listed below will be closed from 5:00 p.m. on July 4 to approximately 1:00 a.m. on July 5, unless noted otherwise:
• Kelly Drive from Fairmount Avenue to Fountain Green Drive
• Lemon Hill Drive
• Sedgley Drive
• Waterworks Drive
• Poplar Drive
Roads will be reopened as event infrastructure is removed and sanitation operations conclude. Many roads listed above should be reopened to vehicular traffic prior to the times indicated.
Ticketing
The event is free to attend, and tickets are not needed unless accessing the Q102 Yard or other seated sections in Eakins Oval. Bring your chairs or blankets to enjoy the event via the general admission experience. A limited number of free passes for the ticketed areas are available here.
Can't make it to the Parkway? Don't worry, we have you covered. Watch the entire concert and fireworks live on NBC10. Coverage starts at 7 p.m.
Be safe and have fun!
Get all the info about the events and entertainment throughout entire Wawa Welcome America festival here.
