WELCOME AMERICA – Celebrate America’s Birthday during the 2010 WaWa Welcome America! Festival, June 26-July 4. Philadelphia’s annual Independence Day celebration features a variety of FREE events, including three fireworks displays, delicious foods, cultural events and the largest free concert in America. June 25-27, A Taste of Philadelphia will take your taste buds on a journey through the delicious menus of some of Philadelphia’s finest restaurants. Catch the Fireworks at Penn’s Landing on June 26 and July 3. June 30, savor a masterpiece at the Art Museum – a mile-long WaWa hoagie! July 2, head to Independence Mall for the Independence Picnic for a taste of history and hotdogs. July 4th events include the Independence Day Ceremony at Independence Mall, followed by the Independence Day Parade. Then, head to the Party on the (Ben Franklin) Parkway and top the day off with a grand finale of free music (the Goo Goo Dolls!) and fireworks at the Art Museum. Information: 215-683-2200 or www.welcomeamerica.com.
PENN’S LANDING FUN – Enjoy a fun day at these colorful celebrations at the Great Plaza: June 13, Philly Pride Festival; June 19, Islamic Heritage Festival; July 10-11, Hispanic Fiesta; July 17, Global Fusion Festival; August 7, ACANA African Festival; August 15, Festival of India; August 22, Caribbean Festival. Sept. 7, celebrate Labor Day with the AFL-CIO Labor Day Picnic. In addition, music lovers groove to the Smooth Jazz Summer Nights Series (every Friday in August, 7:30 p.m.). Information: (215) 922-2FUN or www.delawareriverevents.com.
CLEOPATRA EXHIBIT – Opening June 5 at the Franklin Institute, the world premiere of Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt allows an intimate glimpse of never before seen artifacts from the search for the last queen of Egypt’s tomb. Organized by National Geographic, the exhibit will take visitors inside the present-day search for Cleopatra, which extends from the sands of Egypt to the depths of the Bay of Aboukir near Alexandria. A $5 discount is available to PATCO FREEDOM Card holders – see ridepatco.org for details. Information: (215) 448-1200 or www.fi.edu.
WACHOVIA FUN – June 28, Monday Night Raw will feature your favorite wrestling superstars in action. July 14-18, Walking With Dinosaurs. Life-size dinosaurs (including a fierce T-Rex) will literally roam the arena floor and transport the audience back 65 million years! Information: (215) 336-2000 or www.comcast-spectacor.com.
HISTORY ABOUNDS – Treat yourself (and the family) to an historic adventure. Have you ever seen the Liberty Bell up close? Or walked down Elfreth’s Alley – our country’s oldest residential street? From the shady courtyard of Independence Hall to the Betsy Ross house to Ben Franklin’s grave, a treasure trove of our nation’s history is at your doorstep. So, throw on a pair of comfy shoes, hop on PATCO, grab a map and step back in time. The Independence Visitor’s Center can suggest places of interest. Information: (215) 965-7676 or www.independencevisitorcenter.com. Explore wonderful exhibits at the National Constitution Center. Information: (215) 409-6600 or www.constitutioncenter.org. Once Upon a Nation’s talented storytellers spin fascinating tales at locations all around the city – it’s great fun for kids! Information: (215) 629-4026 or www.onceuponanation.org. Head to Penn’s Landing for a final tour of the historic USS Olympia (this summer may be your last opportunity to see it).
LUNCHTIME CONCERTS – Take a break from the office and boogie on down to free lunchtime concerts – everything from classic rock to steel drums to cool blues – at Center City District’s Lunchtime Concert Series. Performances are set for noon to 1:30 p.m. from June 2 through August 25 at locations throughout Center City. Information: (215) 440-5500 or www.centercityphila.org.
ART FESTIVAL – June 9-12, check out Art in the Open, a free festival that puts a contemporary spin on the plein air (open air) genre of art-making popularized in the mid-19th century. The banks of the Schuylkill River in downtown Philadelphia will become a giant outdoor canvas as more than 30 artists set up shop and begin making art in full public view – from the historic Fairmount Water Works alongside the Philadelphia Art Museum to Bartram’s Garden three miles down river to the south. Information: 215-545-1437.
