We have something else to celebrate this Independence Day: a new Beyoncé song.
The iconic singer released “Morning Dew (Donk),” a sultry, ‘90s-coded R&B track, Saturday morning with no warning.
It’s a special Fourth of July holiday gift to her fans, according to a news release about the song — and Queen Bey’s first piece of new music in two years.
The single starts the clock on a 60-day countdown to the singer’s 45th birthday and the reissue of B’Day, her hit sophomore album that first dropped 20 years ago, on Sept. 4, 2006.
Sorry, BeyHive, no word on Act III, the highly anticipated, unnamed, and unreleased final chapter of Beyoncé’s three-part album project. The Today show reported that fans shouldn’t expect any sort of Act III announcement this week.
Act II, aka Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé’s award-winning foray into country music, was another example of the singer’s use of the Fourth of July holiday as a means to explore and challenge themes surrounding American identity, especially the Black and Southern experience. Last year, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter D.C. tour stop took place on the Fourth of July.
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The show highlighted Black empowerment as Beyoncé opened the show wrapped in a large American flag, just a few miles from the U.S. Capitol.
While it’s not the Act III fans have been waiting for, “Morning Dew (Donk)” is an exciting new portfolio addition.
It was written by Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, The-Dream and Darius Dixon, and produced by Beyoncé and Pharrell Williams. The song features Williams’ signature four-count producer tag.
Philadelphia’s July Fourth concert and fireworks on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway resumed following a several-hour evacuation and delay as thunderstorms moved through the area.
Recap: In Philly, the 250th birthday of a fragile nation was celebrated with pomp and sweat. Then came the storm.
An unscheduled and dramatic light and sound show — this one produced by nature — interrupted Philadelphia’s July Fourth extravaganza Saturday night, forcing crowds to evacuate the Parkway three hours before the man-made fireworks show was scheduled to start.
People were told to leave the area and seek shelter midway through the One Philly: Unity Concert for America. But city officials were not quite ready to call it a Semiquincentennial — a year in the planning — and two hours later the city announced the event would resume with a shortened schedule and the fireworks finale. This time, the man-made kind.
Forecasters had been warning for the last two days that potent thunderstorms were possible Saturday night, as so often happens when a heat wave begins to break down.
July Fourth marked the third consecutive day that the temperature had reached 100 in Philly, tying a record set in 1963 and 2011, and the atmosphere on Saturday, congested with water vapor, was exhibiting clear evidence that it was about to pop. A severe-storm watch covered the entire region.
Earlier, declaring a measure of independence from steaminess that made the atmosphere feel like sweat itself, hundreds of thousands in the region celebrated the day 250 years ago when rebellious colonists gathering in Philadelphia announced to the world they had formed a fragile new nation.
From a ceremonial burial to a patriotic pet parade, for a day at least, anxieties over divisiveness, a national identity crisis, historical controversies, AI, or the state of the economy and the world yielded to an air of celebration robust enough to compete with the heat.
Fireworks fill the sky at the One Philly: Unity Concert for America on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Philadelphia.Fireworks fill the sky at the One Philly: Unity Concert for America on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Philadelphia.
// Timestamp 07/05/26 2:56am
Meek Mill and Will Smith finish off July 4th concert in the city that ‘raised a nation’
Philadelphia-born rapper Meek Mill on stage during the One Philly: Unity Concert for America on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Philadelphia.
Kathy Sledge was followed by the full complement of the State Property crew, which meant not only Beanie Sigel and Philly Freeway, but also Peedi Crakk and Chris and Neff, the duo formerly known as Yung Gunz, who provided the high point of their Roots-backed set with their ageless rap classic “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop.”
“I’m loving the energy tonight, I’m glad we came back,” said the next guest, Meek Mill. “I was headed out of town, and I had to double back.”
With the Roots backing him, and Questlove in particular locked in, it was at the once the most tightly disciplined and casually free-wheeling Meek performance I’ve ever seen.
That went for throwback tracks like “ImaCQ Boss” and “House Party” as well as an especially epic “Dreams and Nightmares,” before which the rapper asked the crowd to light up the night, which they did, with phones and flames.
Last but not least was the Fresh Prince himself, Will Smith, who came bounding out shortly after 2 a.m. in a red Phillies cap and jacket to join the band and Jazzy Jeff, his musical partner Jeff Townes with whom he was catapulted to stardom in the late 1980s.
Smith has had a rocky time of it since he set his career back significantly by slapping Chris Rock on the Oscars in 2022, and his relatively joyless 2025 comeback rap album Based On A True Story didn’t help matters much.
Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff (left) perform at One Philly: Unity Concert for America on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Philadelphia.
But on the Parkway, Smith was in his element and back on form.
“I’m on stage right now on the Fourth of July with the Roots,” he said, beaming, after earlier thanking Parker, whom he called “Mrs. Mayor.”
“We was at the hotel and about to go and she said, ‘Oh no! Come back out.’”
“Every dream I ever dreamed I dreamed in these streets,” Smith said. He then got into Semiquincentennial mode.
“And this city didn’t just raise me. It didn’t just raise us. It raised a nation. Two hundred fifty years ago, it all began here. So Happy Birthday, America!”
And with that, Smith and Townes and the Roots did the song everybody wanted to hear, in this season in 2026: “Summertime.”
And just past 2:30 on Sunday morning, it was finally time for fireworks.
Fireworks begin after Will Smith’s set on the Parkway
Just before 2:30 a.m., Will Smith had no shortage of energy. The same was the case for the several hundred people flanking the stage, heads encircled with cigarette smoke.
But for those on the outskirts, less engaged in the performance and seemingly more eager for a fireworks show, staying awake was a battle. Toddlers curled up in scrollers and on chairs to get a little shuteye before the lights lit up the sky and adults yawned and sat on curbs.
Minutes later, at long last red, white and blue fireworks illuminated the sky as “The Star-Spangled Banner” played over the speakers.
The crowd shuffled to the right side of the stage to get the best view and parents hoisted toddlers in soccer jerseys onto their shoulders.
A riot of color lit up the sky in the fireworks’ big finish around 2:45 a.m. and was greeted with a rousing applause. Within minutes, crews were taking down the stage and concertgoers, drunk and exhausted, were ambling toward the exits after an unorthodox but satisfying July Fourth celebration.
Will Smith reenergizes restless concertgoers calling for fireworks
Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff (left) perform at One Philly: Unity Concert for America on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Philadelphia.
After Meek Mill wrapped up his set around 2 a.m., the ever-patient audience began to grow anxious for the fireworks display.
“Fireworks!” some shouted from the left of the stage repeatedly.
But sentiment changed when Will Smith stepped onstage in a slightly askew Phillies hat and glossy jersey unbuttoned.
Clusters of audience members began attaching to the existing crescent-shaped collection of die hards encircling the stage. Audience members behind the fountain previously enjoying the music passively began to pull out phones and record the Fresh Prince as he spit bars and subwoofers shook the grass stretch in front of the stage.
The Roots and Kathy Sledge kick off late-night Parkway concert following storm delay
Kathy Sledge from Sister Sledge brings two guys on the stage to dance during the One Philly: Unity Concert for America on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Philadelphia.
The July Fourth party carried over into July 5.
After a three-hour-plus rain and lightning delay on Saturday night, the One Philly: Unity Concert for America for the nation’s 250th birthday finally resumed on Sunday morning.
Shortly before midnight, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway grounds that had been evacuated earlier in the evening due to severe weather were reopened and thousands of die-hard concert goers made their way to the front of the stage.
There DJ Aktive hyped up a crowd — younger, on average than at the earlier hour — that was a mix of Philadelphians and visiting World Cup soccer fans by spinning records by Beyoncé, Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, and Journey. (Yes, Journey.)
Then at 12:44 a.m., Mayor Cherelle L. Parker — last seen on stage with Gov. Josh Shapiro four hours earlier — came out and led the crowd in a “Ain’t no party like a Philly block party because a Philly block party don’t stop” chant and introduced “the Legendary Roots Crew!”
Starting with a sly intro — a few measures of Chicago’s “Saturday in the Park” — the unparalleled Philly hip-hop and Tonight Show house band then put on a musical master class. Rapper (and singer) Black Thought displayed his trademark staggering breath control as he led the band (who were accompanied by DJ Jazzy Jeff) in a 20-minute nonstop workout that pulled from a century of Black music, including the band’s own rich 30-year catalog.
And then it was time for the all Philly guest list. (Christina Aguilera, from Pittsburgh, the scheduled headliner, did not perform.)
First up was Kathy Sledge, who now performs the hits she scored with her siblings as Sister Sledge under her own name.
She was accompanied by a team of dancers, and on “He’s the Greatest Dancer,” a couple of eager-to-boogie dudes brought up on stage from the crowd.
The showstopper, of course, was “We Are Family,” which with Questlove keeping the beat and sousaphone player Damon Bryson moving along with the dancers, played out as a wee-small-hours-of-the-morning singalong.
Roots performance, fireworks forthcoming as crowds continue to reenter concert
Happy fans keep the party going at One Philly: Unity Concert for America on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway when the concert continued after a severe thunderstorm Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Philadelphia.
About 15 minutes past midnight, rows of people as far as the eye could see came walking down the Parkway toward the stage, filling the concert area back in.
DJ Aktive got the crowd reenergized with Miley Cyrus’s “Party in the USA” and Boys II Men’s “Motownphilly” as people made their way over the mud-laden grounds onto the concrete areas to surround the stage.
The Roots and fireworks were forthcoming, a screen announced in front of the stage.
Prior to the hiatus, the crowd was primarily sitting and lounging across the grass, giving the event more of a music festival feeling. The second piece of the event had more of a concert vibe with the majority of people standing and alert, facing the stage.
The heat wave had broken for the night and the weather had cooled to a comfortable 78 degrees.
The DJ was continuing to play Top 40 hits as the crowd grew antsy for The Roots’ performance and the fireworks display they’d ridden out thunder and lightning to see.
Crowds gather for reentry and wait for July 4th concert to resume
Hundreds of people lined Pennsylvania Avenue sitting on ledges and standing in crowds patiently waiting for the concert to restart about five minutes before The Roots were scheduled to hit the stage after the storm delay.
Once the gates opened, a crush of concertgoers rushed in until the police took notice and pushed the crowd out and toward the formal entryways.
Throngs of people gathered around the entry tents awaiting their chance to reenter.
“Philadelphia!” a booming voice uttered over the speak system as music started back up.
Audience members couldn’t quite be sure whether or not the voice was that of Questlove. Most were still congregated around the entry gates waiting to have their bags examined and get let back in.
July 4th concert to resume following evacuation over storms
🎆 Now that threat of severe weather has passed, the show will continue with @theroots and a grand fireworks finale.
The public are invited to come back and begin queuing up for re-entry into the concert perimeter.
We thank everyone for their patience while the storm passed.
— City of Philadelphia (@PhiladelphiaGov) July 5, 2026
The show goes on.
City officials announced just before 11:30 p.m. that the One Philly: Unity Concert for America will resume — more than two hours after severe weather commandeered the stage.
The Roots — and possibly a special guest, city officials told The Inquirer — are set to perform, followed by a grand fireworks finale. Organizers were encouraging people to head back to the Parkway.
The Roots are slated to take the stage at midnight, the city announced via social media.
Some SEPTA Regional Rail lines delayed or suspended amid storm
As the rain poured down late Saturday, several SEPTA regional rail lines were delayed or suspended.
The Lansdale/Doylestown line was suspended about 9:30 p.m. due to a downed tree and wires, according to the transportation agency’s social media. The Doylestown line has since been restored, according to SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch.
The Paoli/Thorndale line between Malvern and Thorndale “is out,” Busch said, and there are residual delays on both lines.
Parkway concert ‘paused,’ next steps yet to be announced
One Philly: Unity Concert for America music fans take cover at a Gulf gas station due to the pending thunderstorm.
The One Philly: Unity Concert for America on the Benjamin Franklin Parway has been “paused” due to severe weather, and next steps will be communicated as soon as possible, city officials said in a statement.
“Our foremost concern is for the safety of our guests, the crews, the artists, and all staff supporting this event. We will decide to resume when we are confident that it is safe to do so,” Managing Director Adam K. Thiel said. “We are continuing to closely monitor weather conditions and developments and are in coordination with all departments and partners through our Emergency Operations Center.”
Concert attendees were advised to leave the area of the concert and move to protected areas such as Suburban Station at 16th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has been advised of the decision to pause the concert, and has been communicating with event producers and emergency leadership throughout the evening, the city said.
The city evacuates the crowd at One Philly: Unity Concert for America due to the pending severe thunderstorm on Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Philadelphia.
The sudden evacuation announcement caught Parkway concert goers off guard as winds and gusts full of detritus suddenly picked up.
Dozens of people took refuge at a nearby gas station.
“I’ve got so much dirt in my eye,” said a man on the phone.
Alaina Hawkins, 24, followed orders to evacuate clad in a Wawa bucket hat and not at all regretful of the trek from Northern Virginia.
She and two friends arrived around 3:30 p.m. and they felt they got plenty from their time at the Parkway.
“I’m kinda bummed out, at the same time I had fun,” she said. “I was up front dancing with other people.”
Still, she lamented not being able to see Christina Aguilera.
Though the evacuation message didn’t say whether the event could resume once storms passed, for many, the night came to an end.
People walked away from crowds and opened rideshare apps, while others waited for the bus.
— City of Philadelphia (@PhiladelphiaGov) July 5, 2026
Due to approaching severe weather, an announcement at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway has been made telling attendees to head to the nearest exit and head to their vehicles or other shelter.
Crowds headed towards the exits as the announcement instructing them to leave the festival area ran on repeat.
Severe thunderstorm warning for Philly until 9:30 p.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a warning for Philly and its neighboring Pennsylvania counties for a strong thunderstorm with a history of producing damaging winds and “frequent” cloud-to-ground lightning.
The warning is in effect until 9:30 p.m. with winds to 60 mph possible
The federal Storm Prediction Center has advised that storms may be accompanied by damaging “downburst” wind gusts.
The severe storm watch remains in effect until 11:30 p.m.
Gov. Josh Shapiro and Mayor Cherelle Parker appear at Parkway concert: ‘Philadelphia, let ‘em hear you’
Philadlephia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro at the One Philly: Unity Concert for America on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker took the stage not long after country singer Jordan Davis, greeting a rather muted crowd.
“The promise of America has always been carried forward by all of us, by people who believe in one another, and by the possibilities of tomorrow,” said Shapiro in brief remarks.
“So tonight we honor not only the past but the ideals that continue to unite us and drive us forward and we remain resolved that those ideals will endure because we choose to uphold them.”
Parker tried to energize the crowd, encouraging them to get loud.
“From the birthplace of freedom, let the whole nation feel the power of unity in our city tonight,” she said. “Philadelphia, let ‘em hear you.”
Comedian and host Wanda Sykes, followed and also tried to hype the crowd to slightly better results, introducing Jill Scott.
As if on cue, the Parkway, no longer in the sun’s path, cooled and hundreds more made their way to the main stage area.
Jordan Davis — the country singer, not the Eagles player — takes the stage on the Parkway
Country music star Jordan Davis performs at One Philly: Unity Concert for America on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Philadelphia.
Following Seal’s set, the crowd was treated to a pre-recorded video skit starring host Wanda Sykes and Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. The gag was that Sykes interpreted her all-access pass to mean she could take a seat behind the mayor’s desk at City Hall.
Podcaster Wallo 267 and Gillie Da Kid then came on to hype up the crowd that was mostly lounging in shaded spots on the Parkway lawn and avoiding the still-punishing early evening sun.
They quizzed the crowd on its thoughts on the Jaylen Brown trade and assured Sixers fans that LeBron James is coming to Philly next. (We’ll see about that.)
Then the duo introduced the next act: Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis!
No, not really. The next act was a performer by that name, but it was Jordan Davis, the Louisiana-born country singer, not the football player.
Davis — who was a late add to the One Philly concert lineup — has scored a number of country hits in recent years. His music leans slightly toward rock and roll, taking a page out of arena-sized star Eric Church’s playbook.
His slick, 40-minute set was fast-paced, with hits like “Tucson Too Late,” and “Turn This Truck Around” coming in rapid succession as if Davis was worried that if he slowed down, Philly hip-hop and R&B fans would start to wonder what this country guy was doing singing in their city on its big July Fourth celebration.
Some FIFA fans sweat it out in colonial wigs in South Philly: ‘Oh, is this American culture?’
(Left to right) Nicholas Ruiz, Matthew Reich, and Jason Broesamle, all 27, wore referee-style jerseys and colonial-style wigs for Ruiz’s bachelor party at the France-Paraguay Round of 16 World Cup game played in Philadelphia on July 4, 2026.
Ever wondered how hot it must have been for the Founding Fathers to walk around with those wigs in summer?
Some soccer fans at Philadelphia Stadium signed themselves up to a sweaty history lesson.
Nicholas Ruiz, 27, came from Southern California with his friends to Philadelphia for his bachelor party. The trip combines his two passions: history and soccer.
So for the Round of 16 World Cup game between Paraguay and France, Ruiz and his crew wore referee-style jerseys in different colors and colonial wigs.
“Perfect bachelor party,” he says.
The wigs were a last-minute decision, said Jason Broesamle. They wanted to a “Founding Father’s thing” for America’s 250th birthday.
And people are noticing.
“We’ve been stars here all game, a bit of celebrities,” the 27-year-old said. “Other people from other countries are like, ‘Oh, is this American culture?’”
Despite sweating under the wigs, they don’t regret the decision, and neither does Koosie Boggs — for now.
The 41-year-old from Maryland came to Philadelphia with her boyfriend for the July Fourth weekend. At first they planned on coming in “full George Washington, Ben Franklin” outfits, but decided it was too much once the heat got close to 100 degrees.
But the wig made it into the game, and a lot of people asked for photos, she said.
The couple plans on going to the concert on the parkway after the game, the wigs might be left behind.
“It’s just too hot,” Boggs said. “It’s going to end up in the trash at some point.”
British pop-rock vocalist Seal opens Parkway concert: ‘I know it’s hot, but it’s not hot enough!’
Seal, British singer, performs at One Philly: Unity Concert for America on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Philadelphia.
The One Philly: Unity Concert for America celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday got going with an international superstar opening act.
British pop-rock vocalist Seal went on at 5:45 p.m., dressed in a mustard yellow blazer, just as the sun dipped low enough to provide a sliver of shade to provide some relief for the red, white, and blue crowd gathering in front of the stage.
Seemingly unbothered by the heat, the London-born singer of Nigerian and Brazilian descent remarked: “I know it’s hot, but it’s not hot enough! It’s only 105. I need it to be 110!”
He quickly demonstrated that he knows how to play to a Philadelphia crowd. His second song began with the instantly recognizable doo, doo, doo-doo doo-doo’s of the Steve Miller Band’s “Fly Like An Eagle.”
In fine, smoky voice, he finished his version of that 1976 hit off and quipped: “I know you want it to be “Fly, Eagles, Fly,” but you not going to get it. Not in this lifetime.”
For Seal’s mellow, sultry summer afternoon set, he was backed by a band that included West Philly native Gail Ann Dorsey, who previously toured frequently with David Bowie. He introduced a cover of British band Talk Talk’s “Life’s What You Make It” as “a song by an artist who influenced me when I was first starting out” before finishing up leading a singalong on his biggest song, his 1994 hit ”Kiss From A Rose.”
‘A lot more shade than I thought’: Concert attendees stay cool on the Parkway
Staying cool on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway has required a bit of planning and some luck.
Princess Akowe, 39, made the trip from Camden excited to see Will Smith and Christina Aguilera.
With a smooth check-in process, Akowe was able to make it to the front of the stage but stepped away around 6 p.m. to grab some food and eat in the shade with a plan to move up towards the stage again later.
“I can’t complain, it’s been really good,” said Akowe liking her chances of snagging a front spot as people seemed to be avoiding the sun.
Katrina Baker, 33, made the trip from Prince George’s County, Md., with her family of four, not wanting to pass up a free concert.
Equipped with noise-canceling headphones for her baby and a handheld battery-operated fan, Baker was excited for her spot on the grassy, shaded area with a clear view of a giant video screen.
“We’re excited, there’s a lot more shade than I thought,” Baker said.
How expensive was a ticket for the final World Cup game that will be played in Philly? That depends.
Fans in attendance for Saturday’s match between France and Paraguay paid a pretty penny to be in attendance. But according to Front Office Sports, what was paid to be in the house at Philadelphia Stadium paled in comparison to other matches in the round of 16.
The get-in price for the match on secondary markets averaged $925, ranking as the second-lowest ticket offering of the eight matches to be played between Saturday and Monday. Sunday’s match between Mexico and England in Mexico City is currently listed as the highest with a $3,359 get-in price. The cheapest was Morocco’s win over Canada in Houston, with an average $694 get-in tag.
City officials will monitor weather conditions throughout Parkway concert amid severe thunderstorm watch
City officials are monitoring weather conditions and collaborating with the National Weather Service throughout the evening’s One Philly: Unity Concert for America, according to a spokesperson for the mayor’s office.
Organizers have stressed that the concert, which was scheduled to get underway at 5 p.m., will be a rain-or-shine event. The entire Philadelphia region is under a severe thunderstorm watch until 11 p.m.
Attendees may receive mobile weather and public safety alerts, and people can get connected by texting AMERICA to 888-777 or by visiting phila.gov for the latest information.
Some heat-related health issues reported as attendees wait for Parkway concert to begin
At around 5:30 p.m. the concert that had been slated to begin at 5 had yet to officially begin. Performers continued to rehearse onstage with lights and sound as attendees filled in along the grassy swaths on either side of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Even with the assortment of misters and free water refill stations, the heat casualties have begun to mount on the parkway, with at least three people being transported into one of the medical tents located throughout the concert’s footprint.
A precise update of the number of people seeking medical attention so far was not immediately available at the City of Philadelphia Mobile Command Post. Questions were directed to the city’s press office.
Monitors and speakers set up around the area allowed visitors to groove to the music. Many laid on blankets and fanned their faces while other perused food trucks. Hundreds of people crowded onto into the area, but many spots were sparse. The parkway appeared to have a long way to go to reach the estimated 300,000 attendees that ESM Productions President Scott Mirkin had estimated would stop by the ESM-produced event at a news conference on Wednesday.
Clothes were minimal in some groups with a set of toddlers clad only in diapers, some men forgoing shirts and some women rolling up T-shirts into makeshift crop tops. Headwear, including cowboy hats, baseball caps, and fisherman’s hats were a common sight.
Most spectators enjoyed the music in passing as they chatted with friends and ate from small red-and-white food baskets.
U.S.-focused preshow kicks off FIFA World Cup elimination game in South Philly
The decibels at Philadelphia Stadium eclipsed the blistering temperature during the pregame show of the FIFA World Cup elimination game between Paraguay and France.
Thousands of fans from all over the world came together to, aptly for July Fourth, form a sea of red, white, and blue jerseys.
The colors in the stands were for the flags of the teams on the pitch, but the pre-game show was all about America. The green pitch was covered with a white tarp with blue shooting stars with red tracks.
Tony Award-winning singer Idina Menzel, known as the voice of Elsa in the beloved Disney franchise Frozen, provided an explosive performance of the national anthem — a patriotic moment that wouldn’t have been complete in the birthplace of the United States without a flyover.
And the Philadelphia Boy Choir and Chorale followed with a beautiful rendition of “America the Beautiful.”
And as if it wasn’t already hot enough, Philly’s own Grammy Award-winning band, The Roots, reminded the fans that they were here, on the nation’s 250th birthday.
Move aside Kylian Mbappe, Philadelphia is already the player of the game.
Near 21st and McKean, residents build memories with a long-running block party tradition
Near 21st and McKean Streets in South Philly, a few pieces of string were all that was needed to remind residents of the annual Fourth of July block party.
As Monica Elder served up a sandwich and condiments to another resident, she said the block party was a tradition that goes back as far as she can remember — and she’s been here 38 years.
Now 55, Elder has become one the leaders on the block who watch over children and preside over the festivities.
“Cooking, eating, dancing — everybody participates. Whether we know you or not, everyone is welcome,” Elder said.
By 5 p.m., the good times were getting a bit of a late start due to the blistering temps, exceeded only by the heat from a charcoal grill attended to by Elder’s son, Jeremiah Worthem.
Worthem said the block parties build community and serve as a chance for neighbors — many have been here for decades — to meet up.
“It’s a good time,” Worthem said. “Just building these memories.”
Watch: Philly holds a Ben Franklin look-alike contest on the eve of Independence Day
// Timestamp 07/04/26 5:19pm
Point Breeze block’s first party comes on the 250th: ‘Days like today have all of us coming together’
A little girl loses her popsicle while riding an inflatable water slide during a block party in Point Breeze on Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Philadelphia.
In Point Breeze, Robin Miller and her neighbors were having a block party together for the first time as a group. Miller and another neighbor started to hang outside together until eventually the duo realized they should make an official gathering and bring everyone on the block together.
What better day to throw the block’s first party than the 250th anniversary of the United States, Miller said.
A bounce castle took over the middle of the block, where a hose was attached to the opening of the slide, and one after another, kids flew down the vinyl slide through a curtain of water into a small pool at the bottom. Another inflatable pool sat nearby where a group of young children and teens lay with just their faces sticking out of the water, cooling off.
Joy Fields-Butler and Christine Mardre, neighbors and friends, sat underneath one of the canopies situated along the street. For them, this block party was about bringing together all walks of life on the block, from fostering formative memories for the children to bringing a diverse array of adults to kick back, share a beer, and even join in on the water-gun fights with the little ones, Mardre said.
“It’s diverse on this block, and days like today have all of us coming together,” Mardre said. “Today there is no arguing, there is no drama, it’s just a party.”
Miller was enjoying the experience of neighbors coming together to do something special, feeling very Philadelphian, she said, as the city is known for its rich neighborhood culture.
“Our neighborhood pitched in, and a lot of us pooled together to get the inflatable pool or the bounce castle,” Miller said. “The food spread is basically for the entire neighborhood, and people just keep coming out and replenishing anything that’s run out.”
Nylan Wells, left, and Kayla Carter try to beat the heat under an umbrella holding fans at the One Philly: Unity Concert for America on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Philadelphia.
With gates open for the One Philly: Unity Concert for America, visitors are slowly trickling in and already finding ways to cool down.
Saxxton Brazier, 36, came from Southwest Philly and said she was already drenched through her shorts when she got through security.
“I’m sweating and it looks like I peed myself but I didn’t!” she said with a laugh, after running through one of the several masters placed throughout the parkway to keep attendees cool.
Brazier said there was a stark temperature drop in the shady parts of the Parkway, so her plan was to take breaks in those areas when possible.
“Dip yourself, walk around, you’ll be fine,” she said.
The potable water stations set up by the Philadelphia Water Department were also ready to go with people already beelining to get cool water refills.
Others staked their claim on the cool patches of grass in the shade.
FIFA ‘couldn’t miss’ the opportunity to have a Fourth of July game in Philly
Mattias Grafström was out for a run early Saturday and could already feel the celebrating around town, he said.
FIFA’s secretary general, the soccer governing body’s No. 2 in charge, made his first visit to Philadelphia Saturday during this World Cup. The soccer world will train its eyes on Philadelphia Saturday afternoon, when France, one of the tournament’s favorites, plays Paraguay in the round of 16.
The game, which starts at 5 p.m., is the finale of a daylong soccer celebration in the city. Besides the supporters of both teams making the city home for the weekend, FOX’s studio broadcast also set up shop outside Independence Hall.
“You feel the history of this country, a proud country,” Grafström said. “Having this game as part of the celebration is something unique and we couldn’t miss that opportunity once we were working on the schedule. It’s no surprise that there’s an important game on the Fourth of July in Philadelphia.”
Saturday marks the sixth and final World Cup game in Philadelphia. It’s France’s second trip of the tournament to Lincoln Financial Field, which has been renamed Philadelphia Stadium for the tournament.
“During the bidding period, Philadelphia was one of the cities where you could feel they really wanted the World Cup to come here, support from the government, the state, and the city,” Grafström said.
“Watching the games on TV, you feel the energy. It’s what I always thought about Philly, a working-class city with passion. I look forward to seeing it full tonight.”
France is a heavy favorite, but Paraguay, which knocked off Germany in the round of 32, could prove to be a pesky test on France’a journey to get back to the final.
The game will kick off under extreme heat. The feels-like temperature on the field likely will surpass 100 degrees. There is a chance of thunderstorms throughout the evening.
“It’s quite hot outside, so let’s see how the weather impacts the game and the teams, but I’m sure it will be as all the other games that we’ve had, a fantastic match today,” Grafström said.
Danny Torres, who runs the barbecue business The Latin Grill, prepares Puerto Rican and jerk seasoned chicken wings in a grill at his block party in the Ludlow section of Philadelphia on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
Johanna Rodriguez and Michael Cunningham mixed fresh lemonade as they watched their daughter and son splash around in the above-ground swimming pool in the middle of their Jefferson Street block in the Ludlow section of Philadelphia.
The Fourth of July brings the block’s “OGs” into full force, applying for permits, coordinating who will be grill master, and erecting party tables to turn Jefferson Street into a Puerto Rican Fourth of July extravaganza, Cunningham said, gesturing to his mother-in-law, Carmen “Terry” Torres, the block captain and resident of more than 50 years.
Rodriguez said the block takes Fourth of July seriously because it’s one of the only times of the year when everyone comes outside to enjoy the festivities and see each other in person. It also provides the classic July Fourth fun outside during a time when many kids are used to hanging out inside.
“Obviously, having a block party with all the neighbors coming together is always the best. Just hanging out and talking about the old days. It brings back the classic vibes,” Rodriguez said. “On top of that, it’s about making sure our kids get to experience what we got when we were their age.”
Torres, alongside her neighbor of more than 30 years, Elizabeth Reyes, transformed Jefferson Street into a barbacoa party, taking the cuisine pioneered by the Taino people and fusing it with jerk and other Caribbean flavors.
Grill master Danny Torres, who runs the barbeque business “The Latin Grill,” only lives a few houses down from Torres and Reyes, and along with his wife, Lisa Desamoir, will be supplying the prized smoked meats to the entire neighborhood. Desamoir, a retired firefighter who had the local Engine 29 truck stop by to treat the kids earlier in the day, is taking inventory of the more than 50 chicken wings, whole slabs of pork shoulder (with a crunchy skin for added texture), and dozens of chicken kebabs. These will go nicely alongside the macaroni salad, corn on the cob, Spanish rice, and more sides that neighbors prepared, Desamoir said.
“Danny is making a whole Caribbean vibe cause he’s got the jerk seasoning and Puerto Rican flavors,” Desamoir said.
The federal Storm Prediction Center has issued a severe-thunderstorm watch in effect until 11 p.m. for the entire Philadelphia region.
The criterion for a “severe” storm is wind gusts of 58 mph or higher, but “downburst” winds accompanying the storms could reach 75 mph, said Mike Lee, meteorologist at the National Weather Service Office in Mount Holly.
The watch went into effect at 3:30 p.m., and Lee said the likeliest time for storms would be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
However, meteorologists advise that timings, intensities, and locations of storms are impossible to forecast.
Attorney Michael Coard (rear), leader of the Avenging the Ancestors Coalition, speaks at the President’s House Site Saturday.
As hundreds of people lined up outside the Liberty Bell, about 200 folks gathered in the yard next door at the President’s House Site to honor the nine people enslaved by George and Martha Washington in the 1790s.
But this year, attendees said the annual independence gathering, with its focus on freedom, truth, and remembrance, felt different.
“Over the last six months, since the president issue an executive order, they have tried to whitewash and bend history in a way that doesn’t tell the whole story of the country,” said Dawn Chavous, director of public relations for Avenging the Ancestors Coalition. “We are here because it’s important to not only remember, but protect and defend the history of America, which includes Black and African American history.”
That same sentiment brought Edwina Griggs, 62, from her Northern Liberties home to the President’s House in 98-degree weather.
She said she used to think of the Fourth of July as a time of jubilee, but now she can’t help but feel angry that Black people must continue to fight for visibility.
“Why do we have to go through so much just to present the true?” Griggs said. “We help build this country.”
As she approaches her senior years, Griggs is concerned for the history both Black and white children will inherit and the message that changing the exhibition sends.
“What is Trump scared of? If that is who George Washington was, that’s who he was; we can’t sugarcoat it,” Griggs said. “Replacing the panels doesn’t change that slavery existed and that Black folks were treated as not human.”
As speakers and City Council members took the stage, Chavous stressed that the exhibition shouldn’t be seen as a Black or white issue, but rather as an important need, to protect history the way it happened.
That sentiment made Eric Bright take a five-hour train from Amherst, Mass., to be at the celebration.
Bright is not Black, but he doesn’t think he needs to be to stand up against what he sees as Trump’s censorship of history.
“What they do to some of us, they do to all of us,”Bright said. “Today is this exhibition, but this is happening all over the country already and it won’t take long until it affects someone you love.”
Despite the latest ruling, Chavous said the organization wouldn’t stop advocating for the exhibit.
She encouraged the crowd to email their local and state officials and send notifications to the president regarding the importance of the exhibit.
“We are not going anywhere; we are going to continue to advocate because when you censor American history, you don’t know the full history of our country and that’s a disservice to everyone,” Chavous said.
Friday’s procedural order followed the Justice Department’s Thursday request to allow the National Park Service to “begin work immediately and install its new exhibits.”
The city immediately appealed the order, saying it didn’t have time to respond to the Justice Department’s request and there was no need to rush.
Third Circuit Judge Thomas M. Hardiman, a George W. Bush appointee, denied the city’s request that the court recall the order. He did give Philadelphia a chance to attempt to change his mind by filing a brief before Tuesday afternoon.
Pamela Chuang poses with a half-eaten frozen chocolate Liberty Bell from Franklin Fountain
The line at Franklin Fountain continued along the side of the building, with people dotted on seats and stoops, licking ice cream cones or sipping milkshakes. It was worth it, one patron confirmed to another joining the line.
Several Mr. Softees also staked a claim by the Liberty Bell Center and reaped the benefits.
The ice cream makers at Franklin Fountain, along with Shane Confectionary, rolled out a special Liberty Bell Ice Cream Bar for America’s 250. The bars were made in small, limited batches, from replica molds made with the help of Temple University’s architecture school.
They’re made of chocolate ice cream, with a chocolate coating, and a cherry filling. Some are still left in the freezer, but supplies are running low, according to staff.
Longtime Philadelphians Deb Clarke and Cheryl Bruttomesso gave interested patrons advice for handling the line (send an emissary, while others sit in the shade, they say).
Franklin Fountain is Clarke’s favorite spot, especially on this side of the city.
“I always stop here,” Clarke said. As for their orders: Bruttomesso opted for a root beer float while Clarke ordered a “Ladies First” — a raspberry soda and ice cream concoction.
The two had been in the city for America 250 on both Friday and Saturday, basking in the festivities. People have been pleasant, despite the heat, they said.
“I think the city has done a really good job getting ready for the 250,” Bruttomesso said. “And the transportation is easy, I felt signage is better, everything just looks really awesome. … I think the visitors find it easy to get around.”
Across Philly, other local businesses also appear to be getting in on the America 250 fun with themed goodies. Small Oven bakery and Isgro, both in South Philly, and Famous 4th Street at the Reading Terminal Market were spotted selling 250, 1776, and Liberty Bell-themed confections.
John Li and Libby the Liberty Bell pose in front of Independence Hall, in Philadelphia, July 4, 2026.
Though the heat was wearing on some, with maps becoming impromptu fans, there were plenty of smiles and excitement, even as people waited in a long line for the Liberty Bell.
Visitors clutched water bottles, umbrellas, fans, and plenty of ice cream. They waved to broadcast news cameras with glee.
People posed for selfies with Independence Hall as their backdrop, or stopped a wandering Liberty Bell that had seemingly escaped her enclosure at the Liberty Bell Center to grab a picture. A roving band of historical figures wrapped their arms around people for group shots — “Huzzah,” they said, instead of “Cheese.”
Philly is hotter than Florida right now, much to tourists’ dismay
Children play in the fountain water and climb the statues at Logan Square on Wednesday.
Adorned in red, white, and blue, people gathered in the shade at the Independence Beer Garden across from Independence Mall, escaping some of the record heat to sip beer with the World Cup displayed on a big screen.
Sandra Rahn, from Jacksonville, Fla., was taking a break from the sun to watch the game. Her pup, Matilda, was cooling off alongside her, following the Patriotic Pet Show at the Betsy Ross House.
Rahn, her husband, and Matilda arrived Wednesday to celebrate the country’s 250th, attending as many outdoor events as they could so Matilda could be part of the festivities.
“Everybody’s excited and outside; it’s been great,” Rahn said.
They’ll head home to Florida Monday, where they hope to “cool off.”
“It’s not this hot at home,” she said.
True story. The average temperature in Florida is hovering around the high 80s statewide (with some outliers, of course). But Philly is still hanging out with a high of 100 degrees. In Jacksonville specifically, the heat index is 98, while Philly’s is a scorching 103.
Lackawanna County man honors vets by running for 3 days, from Scranton to Philly
A Lackawanna County man seeking to honor military veterans is set to complete a three-day run from Scranton to Philly Saturday evening.
“I’m pushing for 5 p.m., unless I get heatstroke,” Mike Kravitz said during a Saturday morning phone interview, in between breaths and while shouting “Happy Fourth” to passersby.
Kravitz said the heat has forced him to take more breaks, but that hasn’t kept him from attempting to run the 250-odd kilometers, roughly 157 miles, to Independence Hall. He said he felt called by God to encourage people to live up to their potential.
“There’s so much that divides us these days. I’m just trying to bring people together,” Kravitz said.
Though it’s not his first ultra-distance run — he said he once ran across Myrtle Beach — and he ran the 2024 Steamtown Marathon, Kravitz said this time he’s partnered with Team Red, White & Blue, a veterans’ organization focused on health and wellness. He hopes to raise $250,000 for the group.
Kravitz is supported by family members who provide him with two liters of water per five miles, and who cheer him on as he carries a roughly three-pound flag, zip-tied to a hiker’s trekking pole. Their support has helped him lose 60 pounds and find a renewed purpose in helping raise money for veterans.
“I’m calling on people to live up to their full potential. Our veterans didn’t die for us to scroll on our phones all day long. Do something today to improve your life, improve your family’s life, your community’s life,” Kravitz said.
In particular, Kravitz said, he’s grateful for his uncle, Kevin Metschulat, a former U.S. Army Ranger who served two tours in Iraq. Reached by phone, Metschulat said his nephew is someone who fully commits to whatever he does.
“I love it. I love it. He’s a true patriotic person,” Metschulat said.
Kravitz can be followed in real time using an online tracker. As of around 2 p.m., he was near Bala Cynwyd.
Colman Domingo among Celebration of Freedom honorees: ‘I am so proud of where I come from’
Colman Domingo and Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, at the Constitution Center during the City of Philadelphia Celebration of Freedom event, in Philadelphia, July 4, 2026.
Seven people with profound ties to Philadelphia were honored Saturday in the city’s Celebration of Freedom.
The awards, created as part of Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s effort for the Semiquincentennial, recognized those whose legacy “strengthens the city of Philadelphia,” said NBC10’s Lena Tillett, who emceed the event.
The recognized included:
David L. Cohen, Philadelphia Freedom Award for Civic Devotion
Bishop Dr. Millicent Hunter, Philadelphia Freedom Award for Faith, Courage, and Service
Daniel J. Hilferty, Philadelphia Freedom Award for City Champion
Joseph Neubauer and Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer, of the Neubauer Family Foundation, Philadelphia Freedom Award for Transformative Philanthropy
Nasir “Gillie Da King” Fard and Wallace “Wallo267” Peeples, Philadelphia Freedom Award for Restorative Justice and Resilience
Colman Domingo, Philadelphia Freedom and One Philly Award for The American Voice
Those being recognized credited the city with shaping them.
“It’s nearly impossible for me to express what Philadelphia means to me,” said David Cohen, a Philadelphia stalwart. “I have traveled across this entire continent, and I can tell you there is no city like Philadelphia.”
“Like those who have preceded me, I knew it was my duty to pay it forward,” Neubauer said.
West Philadelphia native — who graduated with Will Smith from Overbrook High School — Colman Domingo credits his acting career to a Temple University professor, Chris Wolfe, who pulled him aside and asked if he had considered pursuing the arts.
“I am so proud of where I come from,” he said. “I use Philly in every character, every story, every play that I write, music.”
Strong storms are looking likelier Saturday evening
Potent storms that may come with “downburst” wind gusts up to 75 mph are possible in the Philly region Saturday evening, forecasters are warning.
The likeliest time would be in the 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. period; however, the timing and location of any storms and their durations are uncertain, said Mike Lee, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Office in Mount Holly. Blame the limits of science.
What is certain is that with so much daytime heating, the atmosphere is full of energy and moisture.
In its late morning update, the federal Storm Prediction Center has placed Philadelphia in the “enhanced risk” zone for severe thunderstorms, defined as those with wind gusts to 60 mph. The storm center said that “downbursts” that can generate powerful and damaging straight-line winds may accompany the storms.
Last night, thunderstorms caused significant damage in areas north of Philadelphia and adjacent South Jersey. A lightning strike set off an eight-alarm fire in Medford, the weather service reported.
Trevor Jones, 40, of Atlanta, Georgia, pets Bruno, the winner of this year’s contest, at the Betsy Ross House in Old City.
Bruno, an 18-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever, sporting big blacked-out goggles and using a baby-dog stroller to move around, immediately stole the show at the Patriotic Pet Show at the Betsy Ross House on Saturday. With his long fluffy blond hair waving in the breeze, Bruno’s confident and smug smile told the crowd everything they needed to know: This veteran was here to bring home gold.
The tiny brick-lined courtyard of the Betsy Ross House was packed shoulder to shoulder as hundreds of residents and tourists witnessed in awe the most patriotic and gorgeous pets Philadelphia has to offer on the Fourth of July. Chihuahuas draped in Eagles green, twin pups dressed as a Geno’s cheesesteak and Betsy Ross, and no one could forget the two adorable snakes, Clyde the ball python and Hoagie the corn snake, whose owners were excited to break the stigma around the friendly no-legged critters.
These contestants play for keeps, as winning the competition doesn’t just provide bragging rights, but also tickets to a Phillies game, the Chinese Lantern festival, and gift cards.
And the winner of it all, Tim Dunlea with his 18-year-old yellow labrador retriever, Bruno, whose favorite activities are "rolling in style" and making everyone happy, Dunlea said. pic.twitter.com/odXkO64Hib
Bruno, the crowd favorite who’s older than a good portion of Saturday’s audience, and his human, Tim Dunlea, are already known around Old City as Dunlea runs an account (@brunoabouttown) on Instagram, where the large Labrador can be seen strolling through Washington Square Park and Pride festivals. After the big win, Dunlea is cooking a delicious steak for Bruno.
“We live around the corner, and folks in the neighborhood know of Bruno,” Dunlea said. “We’ve attended this show so many times, but we never entered him. Now that Bruno’s getting older, we said, ‘We don’t know if he’ll be here next year. Let’s put him in.’”
The moment Bruno strutted the catwalk, the rest was history.
Bob Wharton, of Bucks County, adjusts matching sunglasses for his dog Cooper, 4, at the Patriotic Pet Show at the Betsy Ross House in Old City, Philadelphia on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
Jacquiline City of South Philadelphia and her 10-year-old twins, Lilo and Stitch, are last year’s winners who tried to bring home Best in Show, among other awards, but didn’t make it to the winner’s podium this year.
“We had to try and defend our title,” City said. “Last year we got to go to a Phillies game and we had all these restaurant gift certificates. We celebrated all year long after they won. We went to Little Suzy’s and then got pup cups from Franklin Fountain.”
Emma Thomas of Northeast Philadelphia brought her rambunctious Chihuahua mix to Old City to show that big personalities can come in small packages. As soon as Tiger Pepe Thomas walked onto the runway, he hopped on a ledge double his size and struck poses for the cheering crowd. With some loving encouragement from his human, Tiger jumped off the ledge and gave a dog in the crowd a running bark to let them know who’s in charge. Tiger didn’t take home any trophies but garnered enough laughs to garner an honorable mention in this article.
While the Patriotic Pet Show was dominated by canines, Liz Ruelle brought two friendly snakes with her to strut or slither their way down the runway. Clyde, the green ball python, easily took home the Best Non-Canine award with his shimmering scales that almost looked golden when reflecting the sunlight. His buddy Hoagie, who moonlights as a class pet, didn’t win any prizes, but his size and colorful skin attracted many children after the show to provide consolation pets. Of course, each time someone approached Hoagie or Clyde, they asked Ruelle “if they bite,” a question that wasn’t asked of any of the dogs, Ruelle joked.
As the winners lined up to collect their prizes, the hundreds of attendees cheered amid a backdrop of Bridgerton’s orchestral covers of pop songs. While only a few lucky canines and one serpent took home trophies, every pet on display showed that even in extreme heat, Philadelphians are prepared to compete.
Jacqueline City gets ready with her dogs Lilo and Stitch, named after the Disney characters, at the Patriotic Pet Show at the Betsy Ross House.
Period costumes in this weather? ‘Everyone’s hot. I’m just a little warmer than most.’
Hidden in plain sight among those braving the serpentine line to visit Independence Hall were numerous time travelers from the Revolutionary era.
Aaron Patrick traveled — like many Revolutionary War soldiers once had done — from Carlisle, Cumberland County, and donned a wool waistcoat and a black tricorn hat as he made his way through the line at Independence Square. Temperature check: About 93 degrees Fahrenheit.
“Everyone’s hot. I’m just a little warmer than most,” said Patrick.
Patrick’s family met up with family friend Abby Harting, a historical clothing expert from Middletown, Del., who said they are dressed in “what would have been typical of 19th-century Philadelphians to wear.”
These clothes start with a linen shift for women or a linen shirt for men, Harting said. “It’s naturally cool, wicks sweat away — it’s perfect for a muggy, hot day, because the fabric does the same thing it did 250 years ago,” Harting said.
Great vibes outside Independence Hall, where some people have opted for period garb. Abby Harting, second pic, in white, third from left, says the linen-and-wool layered garments have stood the test of time for keeping people reasonably cool even on hot days.
On top of the linen, the boys and men in the group wore a light wool waistcoat, while the girls and women wore a “stay,” which serves the same purpose as a bra, and another layer. Harting noted the women’s layers were designed to last for years and adapt to a person’s changing body.
She said their decision to dress up is a bit of “experiential archaeology,” and a great way to imagine what those in 1776 were experiencing — both mentally, and temperature-wise — as they adopted the Declaration of Independence.
For Washington, D.C.-area couple Katelyn and Zachary Damm, it all started with the tricorn hat given to Zachary by his father-in-law. From there, they turned to Amazon to order their clothes.
The history buffs prepared for their trip by reading about the era and reading the Declaration of Independence, Zachary Damm said.
“All of our freedoms date back to this day,” Katelyn Damm said. “That makes it special.”
Peco workers picket for better benefits, wages, and pensions
Members of the LBEW Local 614 go on strike outside of the PECO headquarters on Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Philadelphia.
This Fourth of July, a dozen striking Peco workers baked in the sun outside the utility’s Market Street building. The group protested for better working conditions after the workers’ union and the electric company failed to reach an agreement Friday.
“There is a real power imbalance,” said Melissa McCleery, a spokesperson for IBEW Local 614. “These workers work 24/7, 365 days; their work is highly skilled and dangerous most of the time. We need Peco to value them as much as the public does.”
According to McCleery, 16,000 IBEW Local 614 members will remain on strike until Peco can provide all members pensions, better benefits, and industry-standard wages.
Holding blue and red “PECO workers strike” signs, the picketers walked back and forth down Market Street, under the watchful eyes of at least eight security personnel wearing high-visibility vests guarding the building.
“It’s crazy that they are here,” one union member told another as they passed the guards. “Such a shame,” the other person replied.
Trying not to pay attention to the security team, Joseph Vassallo, 43, expressed his frustration that things had to come to this. The union business agent has worked for almost two decades as a Peco power line worker.
“I have been working 16-hour shifts almost every day before this,” Vassallo said. “The amount of time, effort, wear and tear on your body is a lot, and this is what they think our value is?”
Independence Hall closed to anyone not in line: ‘I’d recommend coming back literally any other day’
The line to get into Independence Hall stretches from the middle of the block out of Chestnut Street all the way up 6th Street to the middle of the block on Market Street on Saturday. Independence National Historical Park ranger National Willow Tuttle was telling visitors it was a four-hour wait to get inside. Two hours just to get into Independence Square, the park south of the hall. Then visitors wait another two hours and have to go through security screening, before they are let into the hall, 50 at a time.
By 11 a.m., the window to visit Independence Hall is effectively closed for anyone who hasn’t gotten in line, according to a park ranger.
It’s an estimated seven-hour total wait, the ranger said, noting that First Bank, Second Bank, and the Franklin Court Printing Office — which contains an 18th-century printing press — are all excellent alternatives for people who want to take in some history.
“If you’re not in line now, I would say Independence Hall is an unattainable goal, and I’d recommend coming back literally any other day,” the park ranger said.
Mayor Parker: Philly will honor three Black women with bronze statues, including West Philadelphian Blanche Nixon
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker at the City of Philadelphia Celebration of Freedom, in Philadelphia, July 4, 2026.
Philly is getting three new bronze statues honoring Black women, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker announced at the National Constitution Center.
As the United States celebrates its 250th milestone, the job is not to “choose which parts of the American story to tell, it is to tell all of it,” Parker said.
As she stood before a crowded National Constitution Center, preparing to honor seven people with profound ties to Philadelphia, she highlighted that alongside the country’s triumphs, there were also costs: “the Middle Passage, the mistreatment of Indigenous peoples, the injustice of Jim Crow, and the long years of racial and economic discrimination, all the ways this country actually struggled to live up to the creed it declared.”
It was with that in mind that before she looked to the future, she returned to the past, to three women who will be immortalized in bronze as statues in the city.
The statues will honor abolitionist Harriet Tubman; the first Black American to earn a doctorate in economics and lawyer Sadie T. M. Alexander; and West Philadelphian Blanche Nixon, who Parker said spent decades standing up for children and community safety.
Alexander and Tubman’s statues were announced in 2024 and are expected to be completed this fall.
According to the city, Passing the Legacy of Love and Community Service by Frederick Hightower is coming to the Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Library in West Philadelphia. The bronze statue will honor the life and legacy of Nixon, whom the library is named after.
Nixon, a lifelong Philadelphia resident, was known for her community and youth advocacy work.
“Three women — one history celebrates, one history forgot, and then one history never knew — and every one of them, in their own right, widened the American promise until the words on the page meant what they always should have meant — ‘All of us,’” Parker said.
The Philadelphia Pops and Idina Menzel felt like a balm on a steamy night
Broadway legend Idina Menzel performs with the Philly Pops under Music Director Chris Dragon during the “Pops on Independence” Concert on Independence Mall on July 3.
Whatever brutally hot designs the weather gods had in store Friday for Philadelphia’s Independence Day celebrations, by 8 p.m. the temperature fell below 90 degrees, and the music on Independence Mall arrived like a balm.
Listeners were stretched across the lawn of the mall for fairly solidly from Independence Hall to Arch St., an estimated 12,000 attendees, according to a Wawa Welcome America spokesperson. Whether drawn by the Philly Pops in tunes patriotic or stirring, or by popular actress-singer Idina Menzel, the crowd was in a mood at once celebratory and relaxed.
The weather posed no threat, at least for the first hour or so.
This annual tradition of “Pops on Independence,” a free Philly Pops concert on the mall, has become a way of taking the national temperature. Last year, a few months into the new presidential administration, there were subtle references to the political moment, with the acting superintendent of Independence National Historical Park speaking to the audience about equal rights of all kinds, including marriage rights, and referencing a nation “built on the struggle for freedom from tyranny, and the principle of liberty for all under the just rule of law.”
Veterans rally at Washington Square Park: ‘We are trying to sound the alarm. We are not here to let our service members die.’
Military veterans from around the country gathered in Washington Square Park Saturday morning to rally against the Trump administration and what they call the “billionaire control” of the country.
Military servicemembers are often the first to feel the consequences of bad governance, said Lindsay Knapp, an attorney and former U.S. Army officer who traveled from North Carolina to join the rally.
Knapp said that, as an attorney who advocates for sexual assault survivors in the military, new policies under Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth have made it harder for women to report abuse without fear of reprisal.
“As veterans, we are trying to sound the alarm. We are not here to let our service members die,” Knapp said.
The veterans’ rally is part of The People’s Parade, a coalition of progressive-oriented groups that oppose which Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. War in Iran, and the U.S. embrace of Israel.
“The People’s Parade is a coming together of everyone who is concerned by the direction of where our country is going,” said Rev. Jay Bergen from West Philly.
He said the parade rejects “the violence of fascism and the control of billionaires,” and pushed back against anyone who says this isn’t a form of celebration.
“We are here to celebrate the workers who actually build this city each day,” Bergen said, including immigrants and veterans, “and we’re here to celebrate the power and the beauty of the people.”
U.S. Navy veteran Maxine Rebeles traveled from Ft. Laredo, Texas to share her message. She said President Trump’s border wall project has damaged water supplies along the Rio Grande River and destroyed the local ecosystem.
“They are bulldozing our rights away,” Rebeles said.
Maxine Rebeles traveled from Laredo, TX to join other military veterans rallying at Washington Square. Like others here, Rebeles decries Trump administration immigration policies, ICE, and the direction the country is headed.
She joined the U.S. Navy after 9/11 but became disillusioned when the “weapons of mass destruction” that the government had used to justify invading Iraq had ceased to materialize.
Now, Rebeles said, the government wants people to believe another lie — that their neighbors on the other side of the Southern border are an enemy.
Rebeles said an encouraging number of people have shown up for the rally and other recent events — a sign, to her, that more people are getting frustrated.
“People may not want to mess with politics, but politics are messing with people,” she said.
Another Navy Veteran held a sign that read “Veterans are not losers and suckers,” a reference to a 2020 report from The Atlantic alleging that President Trump once referred to dead military soldiers as such. The Trump administration has repeatedly denied he said that.
The veteran from Delaware, who gave just his first name Bill, out of fear of retaliation from the Trump administration, wore a photo of a young man in an Army uniform around his neck. That was his nephew, Eric, he said. He died by suicide in 2013 after returning home from Afghanistan.
“He’s the reason why I march,” Bill said. “There are too many people ignoring what’s going on. We need to join together and turn this around.”
This Navy veteran from Delaware wears a photo of his nephew, an Army infantry soldier who died by suicide in 2013 after returning from Afghanistan.
“There are too many people ignoring what’s going on,” he said. “We need to join together and turn this around.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro makes rounds at Doylestown parade
Chalfont and New Britain residents began lining the sidewalks with sunshades and water squirters before 9 a.m. this morning in Bucks County.
“Don’t feel silly with an umbrella,” advised Bob Doyle, 70, a longtime resident in a folding chair and a wide-brimmed hat who’s attended this parade for over 25 years. “You need it.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro walked the route before the parade, talking to attendees. Maryellen Murphy, 68, said she worked with Shapiro’s dad, pediatrician Dr. Steven Shapiro, when she was a nurse at Suburban General Hospital in Montgomery County.
Murphy said she was “shocked” to see the governor here. “When I see this guy, he sounds and looks just like his dad,” Murphy said. “We loved him.”
Shapiro greeted first responders as they rolled along before making brief remarks.
“I hope that today you take a moment to remember what this is all about: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” the governor said. “It started here, and we’ve got a responsibility to carry it forward.”
The governor might not have time for a cookout today, he said, but last night he grilled some July Fourth classics: “chicken, burgers and dogs.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro gave brief remarks Saturday morning at the July 4th parade for Chalfont and New Britain:
Lengthy lines at Independence Square: ‘We’re making history today’
There’s a two-hour wait just to get into Independence Square this morning — not Independence Hall, but rather, the park just south of the Hall.
From there, visitors still have to wait in a separate line to go through security and then another to visit Independence Hall.
“We’re making history,” National Park Service Ranger Willow Tuttle said of the lengthy wait. “On the day history was made.”
Tuttle, who has worked as a park ranger for three years, said she’s never seen lines close to this lengthy before, even during past Fourth of July celebrations.
She anticipates lines lasting four to five hours for the people to get into the building from the end of the line. But at least there will be a soundtrack soon.
The Celebration of Freedom Ceremony kicks off this morning at Independence Mall and will feature performances by Grammy Award-winner Yolanda Adams and DJ Diamond Kuts.
Writing a revolutionary manifesto infused with Enlightenment ideals isn’t easy, Thomas Jefferson learned in 1776.
In drafting the Declaration of Independence, he had to endure the bane of all writers — editors.
Jefferson, one of the younger delegates to the Continental Congress, spent more than two weeks on the draft before submitting it to a five-member committee that included Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, according to a National Archives article.
The Library of Congress noted that it underwent a total of 47 “alterations,” undergoing more rewriting even after the July 2 vote for independence.
Jefferson wasn’t happy about the outcome, according to the Library of Congress, and fellow Virginian Richard Henry Lee told Jefferson he wished “the manuscript had not been mangled as it is.”
To this day, sources indicate that few writers have gained independence from editors. (Editor’s note: this feels especially pointed)
Meet Indy: the bald eagle who attended today’s time capsule burial
Indy the eagle at a game.
The eagle, known as Indy, whose full government name is Independence (obviously), made an appearance at this morning’s America’s Time Capsule burial.
Visitors were able to meet and take pictures with her.
Not to be confused with the bald eagle who flies over Lincoln Financial Field ahead of Eagles games (that’s Lincoln), Indy, 10, is from Auburn University’s Raptor Center. She’s a rehabilitated bird who now serves as an ambassador, teaching people about raptors, conservation, and the ecosystems that sustain them.
She flew — not by wingspan but via Delta flight — to Philly alongside handlers with her carrier strapped to three coach seats.
She went to the country’s 200th birthday with her mom as a kid; today, she honors her late parents’ memory
For attendee Kristine Robinson, from Turnersville, N.J., celebrating the Fourth was in honor of her mother, Katherine.
In 1976, her mother brought her to the city for the country’s then 200th birthday. She remembers standing at Independence Hall then at 6 years old.
Now, 50 years later, she felt like she was honoring the memory of both her late parents — her patriotic mother, who always brought her to the city and collected commemorative coins, and her World War II veteran father.
“She was right to support this wonderful nation and be proud — be proud of this wonderful nation, and what it’s become, and what it will become,” she said.
Her husband, Dennis Robinson, grew up in South Jersey, making school trips to Philadelphia. The significance of America’s Time Capsule, which the couple visited to watch its burial Saturday morning — and where they stood — wasn’t lost on him.
“You stand there, and you think, ‘Wow, right here is where it happened,’” he said. “If you love this country, it’s never lost on you, and you feel the weight of it when you’re here.”
See you in 500 years: America’s Time Capsule gets buried
The “America’s Time Capsule” is buried in Independence National Historical Park Saturday.
Phones were lifted into the air, capturing as a hefty time capsule was lowered into the ground at Independence National Historical Park on the Fourth of July.
America’s Time Capsule — containing snippets from the three branches of the federal government, all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the five U.S. territories — will rest at the park until the United States celebrates its birthday once more in 2276.
Saturday’s ceremony, held in the early morning before the extreme heat could set in, brought out the public, adorned in red, white, and blue. Indy, a bald eagle, was also in attendance.
*Spoilers, if you’re 500 years in the future*
Sealed away items include:
Poems from Alabama
Stickers from Connecticut
A whale bone from Maine
A belt buckle from Oklahoma
Letters from governors
A gold medal from the Milan Olympics
A deconstructed iPhone
Commemorative coins and postcards
New York’s Semiquincentennial crystal ball
Pennsylvania skipped the coins and bones; Gov. Josh Shapiro penned a “Greetings from Harrisburg” letter. Also enclosed is a scintillating read: An archival booklet titled, American 250 PA Highlights, which lists “numerous state commemorations.”
The time capsule is a multiyear collaboration among America250, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Library of Congress, the National Park Service, Independence Historical Trust, and other project partners.
The commission, formed by federal law in 2016, had only one programmatic mandate: bury a time capsule on the Fourth of July, 2026, at Independence Hall.
It felt only right that the time capsule is entrusted to the city, as Philadelphia has stood at the center of the nation’s history, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker told attendees Saturday.
“Now I know that we’re here for a burial, but unlike any other burial, this one is about hope, it’s about possibility, and about believing that the generations who come after us will build a stronger nation than the ones we’ll leave behind,” she said. “A time capsule is more than a collection of artifacts; it’s a message from one generation to the next about who we were, what we valued, and what we believed was worth preserving.”
A 46-foot monumental stone sculpture, inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s Join or Die cartoon published in 1754, will be installed in the area. The sculpture will depict a segmented snake, and is being carved from granite. The snake’s head will rest atop the capsule’s burial spot, officials said.
At 1 p.m. on July 4, 1776, the temperature on what is now Independence Mall was 76 degrees by the reckoning of Thomas Jefferson, whose pursuit of weather data was in a league with his thoughts on the pursuit of happiness.
The author of the Declaration of Independence owned 20 different thermometers in his lifetime, according to the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which operates the Monticello site in Charlottesville, and he purchased one of those in Philly on July 4. (Didn’t he have something better to do?)
He didn’t record a high for the day, or whether it was raining, but noted that the temperature was 72½ at 9 p.m., not long after sunset. (With all those clothes they wore in those days, they still must have been pretty warm.)
Jefferson diligently kept daily temperature logs in the colonies and Europe, and his efforts were precursors of the creation of a national weather service.
If you’re out and about today and the weather of July 4, 1776, stirs a certain envy, your right to jealousy would be self-evident.
The nation’s 250th birthday is finally here, and organizations throughout Philadelphia have planned a full itinerary of celebrations for the weekend.
For those seeking historical enrichment, live music from national headliners, or even a patriotic pet parade, look no further.
Here is a schedule of some of the activities and events happening in the city.
Celebration of Freedom ceremony
The ceremony will honor America’s 250th anniversary in the heart of its historic center, with speeches, awards, and a performance by Grammy Award winner Yolanda Adams.
10 a.m., 525 Arch St.
Free Museum Day: Cliveden of the National Trust
Visitors can view exhibit panels in the Barn and participate in free tours of the house, which was built in 1767 and is the site of the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Germantown.
10 a.m., 6401 Germantown Ave.
Free Museum Day: Historical Society of Pennsylvania
The museum will offer the exhibition, “Paths to Independence: 1765-1787,” showcasing more than 140 items that represent the people and events involved in the American Revolution.
10 a.m., 1300 Locust St.
Betsy Ross House Patriotic Pet Parade
An annual pet parade will occur at the Betsy Ross House, where prizes will be awarded for the best and most patriotic costumes.
10:30 a.m., 239 Arch St.
Free Museum Day: Powel House
Owned by Philadelphia’s first mayor after American independence was secured, visitors can tour the 18th century house where President George Washington once danced.
11 a.m., 244 S 3rd St.
One Philly: Unity Concert for America
The free concert will be hosted by comedian Wanda Sykes and feature performances from headliners including Christina Aguilera, Jill Scott, The Roots, and Will Smith. Music begins at 5 p.m. and will be broadcast on NBC10.
Philly’s fireworks won’t start until midnight on July 4th and some residents say that’s too late
Fairmount residents are accustomed to annual July Fourth fireworks; it comes with the territory of living near Benjamin Franklin Parkway, where the city stages its major celebrations. With the United States’ 250th birthday, this July Fourth is no different — except that the fireworks will start closer to midnight.
“We have the whole family coming to our home, all on their way right now,” said Fairmount resident Margo DelliCarpini. “But 11:30, midnight is just too late for some families with children. I understand that it’s the Fourth of July, but the late start for fireworks is decidedly not a family-friendly decision.”
DelliCarpini will have her children and grandchildren visit to experience the Semiquincentennial in the city where the country began. But with young children in tow, parents along for the trip were hoping to have them in bed by midnight, she said. Instead, the large group is looking to catch one of the fireworks shows at Valley Forge or across Montgomery County, which start around 9 p.m.
Philadelphia’s July Fourth concert and fireworks show, the One City: Unity Concert for America, is expanding its lineup from two to three acts like in years past, to 10 artists, including Christina Aguilera, Will Smith, Meek Mill, and Seal. The show will also start earlier and end later, spanning into July 5 by the time people head home.
The city did not respond to request for comment.
Other cities, like New York, Boston, and Los Angeles, are keeping their 9-9:30 p.m. start times, while Washington, D.C. is among the cities pushing back its fireworks show to 10:30 p.m. or even 11 p.m. to allow for its expanded America 250 showcase.
The Philadelphia Inquirer front page for July 4, 2026.
// Timestamp 07/04/26 7:00am
Impromptu pageantry replaced Philly’s official parade as extreme heat mars the nation’s 250th
The eve of the United States’ 250th birthday in Philadelphia was less celebration and more chagrin, as oppressive heat left swaths of tourists and revelers in an aimless search of pomp and circumstance.
On Friday, Wawa’s Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade was canceled because of 100-plus-degree temperatures and aperilous heat index. It was one of numerous events called off or shortened this holiday weekend, as the scorching weather has thwarted events across the region, and potential storms could impact more.
The cancellation left scores of sweat-soaked performers, musicians, and historical reenactors in wool garb stranded near Independence Hall and around Center City. There might not have been the sort of “shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations” that John Adams prophesied in a July 3, 1776, letter to his wife, but there was still an air of importance — and some impromptu pageantry.
“We won’t be around for the 300th, so we really wanted to come for the 250th,” said war re-enactor Kathy Touzjian, 61. Touzjian and Laurie Pelletier were among a 75-person Massachusetts Army of 1775 troupe, who traveled six hours by bus to be in Friday’s parade.
“At least we still have cheesesteaks,” Touzjian said.
To the pair, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the fledgling country’s split from Great Britain felt different — and not just because of the heat. Now more than ever, Pelletier said, it was important to return to the country’s bedrock: liberty and independence for all.
“Today is still special,” saidPelletier, 60. “It’s a chance to recognize what our ancestors gave us, because the world is falling apart and this brings people together.”
// RelatedLink Text: How to see Big Boy URL: https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/big-boy-train-philadelphia-union-pacific-steam-locomotive-20260701.html
There’s something special about a thick, hand-rolled noodle. As part of its summer menu, Le Virtù’s ceppe — a chewy Abruzzese pasta shape that resembles a short and stout bucatini noodle — are made by hand and tossed in a bright squash blossom pesto. I later learned that ceppe gets its name from the wooden sticks or rods they mimic, a nice bit of pasta trivia I will stow away for quizzo. The hearty plate is topped with zucchini ragu, with a generous amount of the plant mixed throughout the dish, and mozzarella di bufala. It’s best enjoyed with a glass of wine on the restaurant’s beloved patio. Le Virtú, 1927 Passyunk Ave., 215-271-5626, levirtu.com
— Emily Bloch
Zhajiang Mian at Opera House, 112 N. Ninth St.
Zhajiang Mian at Opera House
It has taken me far too long to get to Opera House, which opened about a year ago in the former Rangoon space. Rangoon had been my favorite restaurant in Philly for years, and I was admittedly bitter about them no longer occupying that storefront on Ninth Street. Now, I’m very pleased to report that my bitterness has now been assuaged.
Opera House is bright, beautiful, sparkling clean, a visual ode to Chinese opera that specializes in Northern Chinese food. They do have some Cantonese items on the menu (that are just fine), but the real star of the show is their $14.95 zhajiang mian. Saucy, with lean ground pork and lots of slow-cooked onions, these noodles are a true celebration of handmade textures. They’re intentionally a little wonky from being hand-stretched — some parts are thinner than others — so they sop up the super umami-rich fermented soy sauce in interesting ways. Served with sides of cucumber and carrot matchsticks and roasted peanuts, it’s likely the best version of the dish I’ve had in Chinatown, and such a beautiful play on varying textures and temperatures. Opera House, 112 N. Ninth St., 267-639-2376, operahousephilly.com
— Kiki Aranita
The Girl Dinner cocktail, a clarified gin martini with a sidecar of gummy worms, at Angeloni’s Club Madrid in Atlantic City, N.J.
Girl Dinner at Angeloni’s Club Madrid
Atlantic City is a weird and magical place, particularly for those of us who tend to visit in 24-hour increments. I made such a journey last weekend, and the highlight was finally getting to try Angeloni’s Club Madrid, the retro-styled Italian spot that opened in 2024 from the owner’s of the beloved Tony’s Baltimore Grill. Angeloni’s was everything I hoped it would be — part cozy dining experience, part lounge party. Case in point: a DJ somehow seamlessly incorporated Norah Jones into a dance-y set.
The menu included one of the best versions of cacio e pepe I’ve had in a long time. But the star of the show is the cocktail menu, which has interesting interpretations of classic cocktails, executed with both fidelity to the drink and total whimsy. My favorite was the Girl Dinner, a perfect dirty gin martini served with a blue-cheese stuffed olive and a sidecar of gummy worms. It shouldn’t work — blue cheese and gummy worms? — but it does. It has that kind of slightly off-kilter energy that a really fun party does, where things are always threatening to fly off the hinges but somehow stay just contained enough for a memorably good time. Angeloni’s Club Madrid, 2400 Arctic Ave., Atlantic City, N.J., clubmadridac.com
— Margaret Eby
Watermelon gazpacho at Cantina Feliz, Ambler.
Watermelon gazpacho at Cantina Feliz
I always look to July 4 as the unofficial start of watermelon season. This year, that feels especially fitting: Forecasters are calling for one of the hottest Independence Days Philadelphia has seen in nearly a quarter-century, making cold watermelon all the more appealing. That spirit comes through in this watermelon gazpacho from Cantina Feliz in Ambler, which leans savory rather than sweet. Cucumber amplifies the freshness, while finely diced red onion and chives add bite without overwhelming the fruit. A drizzle of verdant herb oil lends richness, and the accompanying shot of sherry gives it a nutty, tangy depth. It’s a refreshing summer starter that becomes more layered with every spoonful. Cantina Feliz, 111 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, 215-646-1320, cantinafeliz.com
Impromptu pageantry replaced Philly’s official parade as extreme heat mars the nation’s 250th
Historical interpreter for the American Revolution Diane Jost with the Sudbury (Mass.) Companies of Militia & Minute, walks with members of the Ballet Folklorico Mosaicos, dancers fro a Mexican cultural organization in Indianapolis, Ind. as groups not marching mingle on Independence Mall as Philadelphia celebrates America’s 250th birthday Friday, July 3, 2026 even after the Wawa Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade was canceled amid a declared heat emergency with 100-degree temperatures.
The eve of the United States’ 250th birthday in Philadelphia was less celebration and more chagrin, as oppressive heat left swaths of tourists and revelers in an aimless search of pomp and circumstance.
On Friday, Wawa’s Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade was canceled because of 100-plus-degree temperatures and aperilous heat index. It was one of numerous events called off or shortened this holiday weekend, as the scorching weather has thwarted events across the region, and potential storms could impact more.
The cancellation left scores of sweat-soaked performers, musicians, and historical reenactors in wool garb stranded near Independence Hall and around Center City. There might not have been the sort of “shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations” that John Adams prophesied in a July 3, 1776, letter to his wife, but there was still an air of importance — and some impromptu pageantry.
“We won’t be around for the 300th, so we really wanted to come for the 250th,” said war re-enactor Kathy Touzjian, 61. Touzjian and Laurie Pelletier were among a 75-person Massachusetts Army of 1775 troupe, who traveled six hours by bus to be in Friday’s parade.
“At least we still have cheesesteaks,” Touzjian said.
To the pair, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the fledgling country’s split from Great Britain felt different — and not just because of the heat. Now more than ever, Pelletier said, it was important to return to the country’s bedrock: liberty and independence for all.
“Today is still special,” saidPelletier, 60. “It’s a chance to recognize what our ancestors gave us, because the world is falling apart and this brings people together.”
No agreement between IBEW Local 614 and Peco as midnight strike looms
With no agreement between Peco and the union and negotations coming down to the wire, leaders from IBEW Local 614, Peco’s workers union, said members would walk off the job and begin a strike at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
“We have marginally made some progress,” IBEW Local 614 president Larry Anastasi said at a Friday night news conference. “However, nothing close to a settlement has been reached.”
Stuart Davidson, the union’s general counsel, said IBEW Local 614 would continue negotiations with Peco until the deadline at midnight. But if no contract agreement could be reached by that time, workers would begin a strike.
“We are determined to find a solution to this problem,” Davidson said. “We understand how serious a strike will be for the communities that we serve, as well as our members.”
Union members are seeking better wages and healthcare benefits, as well as a uniform retirement plan for all members. Their previous contract expired on March 31, and wages and benefits have been a sticking point throughout negotiations.
If the strike happens, it would be a first for Peco. Candice Womer, Peco’s spokesperson, earlier this week said that weather conditions have not played into the bargaining process, and the energy provider proposed a nearly 20% increase in wages over five years, as well as improved benefits.
The company has also said that should a strike occur, customers should not expect service delays or interruptions, as Peco has “comprehensive contingency plans in place.”
The potential strike comes as the Philadelphia region remains under a heat wave that has pushed temperatures up to or just past 100 degrees, with possible thunderstorms on Saturday. Many of the union’s 1,500 members repair outages, which can happen during extreme weather.
“The system that we work on is in disrepair and takes constant maintenance and repair,” Anastasi said Friday. “And if we’re not around during good conditions, it’s difficult.”
Thousands gather for Philly Pops concert on Independence Mall
With Independence Hall as a backdrop, thousands gathered Friday evening to hear the Philly Pops as part of Philadelphia’s celebration of the nation’s 250th. While the heat led to the cancellation of other events during the day, the temperature by 8 p.m. had fallen to a pleasant 89 degrees, and the orchestra played on.
“Tonight we celebrate with one of our most universal languages — music,” Steven Sims, superintendent of Independence National Historical Park, told the audience stretched out on Independence Mall. “There is something especially fitting about gathering here, surrounded by the places where the nation was born.”
Music, he said, “has always brought people together.”
Last year’s Pops on Independence concert was cut short by rain. Friday night, the sky held dark clouds and some lightning flashes, but as of 8:45 was rain-free as the audience roared with the appearance of actress and singer Idina Menzel.
About an hour into the concert, with the lightning continuing, Menzel bid the crowd goodnight. Concerned by possible heavy weather, organizers ended the concert early with several more scheduled pieces to go, a Pops spokesperson said. A Wawa Welcome America spokesperson estimated a crowd of about 12,000 was on hand.
Ben Franklin look-alike contest crowd demands an encore: ‘One more Ben!’
Kiya Burgess, of Philadelphia, wins the Ben Franklin look-alike contest that was held behind the President’s House on Independence Mall on Friday.
At the Benjamin Franklin look-alike contest at Independence Hall, which was supposed to end early, the crowd enthusiastically shouted, “One more Ben, one more Ben.” Latecomers — men and women dressed like the famed Founding Father — walked through the crowd to the front. It wasn’t a catwalk, per se, but the Franklin stroll.
Elena Jackendoff, 32, a student at Johns Hopkins University studying public health, organized the event.
“You have to make the event you want to see in the world,” she said.
She organized the event on a lark, making the flyers after her last final exam and pasting them across the city. She expected to see a few of her friends, not hundreds of people.
Many of the Franklins — like Kara Peterschmidt, 25, Kyra Feinauer, 25, and Lauren Zwetzig, 24 — didn’t even have to go out to buy a costume. The friend group had hosted a Constitution-themed housewarming a while back and came dressed in the same white whigs and tops. Asked about the truest Ben Franklin expression, Peterschmidt said, “It’s definitely a mog.”
Despite possible storms, holiday World Cup game still on
A break in the intense heat that has blanketed the region could arrive with a chance of thunderstorms on Saturday evening, but according to a FIFA official, as of now, there are no plans to modify the start of Saturday’s round-of-16 World Cup match between France and Paraguay.
Gates are scheduled to open at 2 p.m. for the 5 p.m. kickoff. Storms are forecast to potentially hit the region sometime in the evening. However, with the unpredictability of these summer storms, FIFA has taken steps to help fans deal with the intense heat, but as of now appear to be playing it by ear as they keep an eye on the forecast.
Coincidentally, the last time France played in Philadelphia, on June 22 against Iraq, that match was subjected to a two-hour, 10-minute rain delay because of a torrential downpour that covered the region, sending two intense bands of rain, wind, and thunder over Philadelphia Stadium.
Tips for making it through a scorching 4th of July
With another scorcher on tap for July Fourth, here are some tips for surviving the heat.
Avoid activity in the peak heat of the day and stay hydrated, said Jonathan Bar, director of emergency preparedness at the University of Pennsylvania’s department of emergency medicine.
“The best way to know if you are hydrated is to monitor your pee,” he said. “No urine or very dark is a sign of dehydration.”
Water is good for hydration, but for prolonged exertion or spending more than an hour in the extreme heat, it’s better to add a drink with electrolytes, like a commercial sports drink, he said.
Check on the very young and very old because they are the most susceptible to heat-related issues, Bar said.
“If you are feeling overheated, seek shade or move into AC,” he said.
‘Take care of one another’: Arizona high school band finds lessons amid parade cancellation
The teens of Sahuarita High School’s marching band came a long way from their Arizona homes to not be allowed to perform at the Semiquincentennial parade because of the heat. Still, it taught them a valuable lesson about being an American, said band director Ben Garland.
“An American value is community,” Garland said, surrounded by his 87 students at Reading Terminal Market. “We should do our best to take care of one another even if we have different ideas or values, and that’s what the city did.”
Despite the cancellation, Garland praised Philadelphia authorities and organizers for still making parade participants feel part of the 250th celebrations by letting them perform in different areas of Old City.
“Most of my students have never even been on a plane before and coming here was their opportunity to see the East Coast and engage with history they wouldn’t see otherwise,” he said. “For us, the trip was worth it for what they have been able to learn and the camaraderie they have built here.”
Reading Terminal Market bustling amid 250th celebrations: ‘This is the corner to be’
Although Reading Terminal Market historically closes on the Fourth of July, it’s open and bustling for the United States’ 250th birthday.
“This is the corner to be,” said Dina Pretti, who just ordered an iced coffee from Old City Coffee (the best in the city, she says) and pointed toward Famous 4th Street Cookies (also the best in the city, she says). This Fourth of July feels especially exciting. Although she usually leaves the city, she wanted to stay for the World Cup fan festival and the holiday celebrations.
Charles Shipper, who works at Contessa’s French Linens, said he usually gets irritated when he has to walk what feels like half a mile through Reading Terminal to find a coffee. This year, with the influx of tourists for the World Cup, he has come to appreciate the space through visitors’ eyes.
“The size, the fact that it’s air-conditioned,” now seems amazing, he said.
The shop has almost sold out of its America 250 towels, designed and created by Garnier Thiebaut, a French linen company. The design is a small testament to the historic relationship between France and the United States.
Costumed Yorkies celebrate at Liberty Bell despite cancellations
Lori Ney, of Wynnewood, with Yorkie poodles Ella and Eva at the Liberty Bell on Friday in Philadelphia.
At Lori Ney’s home, humans weren’t the only ones whose Fourth of July plans changed. Yorkie poodles Ella and Eva were left with their costumes on waiting for a celebration.
“We knew it was canceled, but we still wanted to come to see what else was happening,” said Nay, 60. “We wanted to be part of history.”
Without a fixed plan, but wanting to celebrate her country, Nay packed up her pups, a couple of cooling pads, and a stroller, and drove from Wynnewood to the Liberty Bell.
“This year feels different,” Nay said, as people approached to take photos of her pups and their holiday attire. “ A lot of events were canceled, but as Americans, we are making the best of it.”
The trio planned on remaining in the city for the Philly Pops concert, and coming back Saturday for the Fourth of July celebrations.
“I know it’s hot, but it’s important to celebrate that we live in the best country in the world no matter who the president is,” Nay said. “We have flaws and we need to do better, but it’s wonderful to be here.”
As of 4:08 p.m., Friday’s Philly Pops concert on Independence Mall is on, a Wawa Welcome America spokesperson said. A later start time of 8 p.m. was announced for the concert earlier this week.
Philly’s hottest space is Swann Memorial Fountain at Logan Square
Danny Yarnall (right) and Ray Rodriguez cool off Friday beside the Swann Memorial Fountain at Logan Square, a popular spot where Philadelphia residents seek relief from the summer heat. City officials canceled the Wawa Welcome America Salute to Independence Parade, part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations as an extreme heat warning remained in effect.
It’s hot enough to see the shimmer of heat on the asphalt of Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Although most rush from museums to other scraps of shade, some pouring water down the backs of their necks, a large, happy crowd gathers in the fountain of Logan Square.
Dozens of children and their families swim through the streams of water. More and more join in as the sun blares down intensely on this spacious, elegant boulevard.
At the President’s House on Friday, a man taped sheets of paper to the wall where the exhibits were previously on display.
The papers said: “Trump has hidden the main info panels of this exhibit since January.”
The man, who declined to be named citing fear of retaliation, accused President Donald Trump’s “authoritarian administration” of “neglecting to tell the story of those who actually fought for the liberties and freedoms we all celebrate.”
Susan Lemonick, 66, of Old City, wasn’t in a festive mood for the nation’s 250th, either.
“What we are right now is not something to celebrate, in my opinion,” she said, adding that the censorship at the President’s House was with the goal of having “a white nationalist country.”
Lemonick is a volunteer with Old City Remembers, a group that takes shifts standing at President’s House reading text from the removed panels in an effort to “bear witness to the history of slavery in our nation.”
Allison Utain and her husband came to the Philadelphia Museum of Art after the parade was canceled. There, they say, they came across a form of patriotism no less festive than what they were hoping to find outside.
“You see a culmination of so many cultures that make the tapestry of what American is … Far from perfect, but it’s great,” Utain said. “The museum is a great snapshot, not only of American artists but artists around the world.”
In the cool, long hallways of the museum, visitors can take the “A Nation of Artists” tour, which showcases Charles Willson Peale’s “Washington at Princeton,” often considered the best portraiture artist of his time, and other celebrated painters like Henry Ossawa Tanner. Tanner’s “Annunciation” is hung in the museum. He was an African American painter whose mother escaped slavery in 1859. Tanner grew up in Philadelphia and attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
Asian American Dragon Lion Dance outside Independence Hall today. “I feel immense pride to be able to show the love for our country,” said group founder Henry Lee. pic.twitter.com/2WLv1ErZej
The collegiate performers in Asian American Dragon & Lion Dance troupe, led by Henry Lee, performed Friday afternoon outside Independence Hall.
“I feel immense pride to be able to show the love for our country,” Lee said.
The group boasts more than 20 years of experience performing for audiences around the Northeast. They broke into dance, carrying the long puppet dragon to the pulsing beat of a drum.
Especially as the line to get inside Independence Hall continued to wind, visitors gathered around the pop-up performances, taking photos and videos.
‘At least we still have cheesesteaks,’ lament Massachusetts Army reenactors
Kathy Touzjian and her friend Laurie Pelletier were among 75 members of the Massachusetts Army of 1775 who rode on a bus for six hours to be in the parade Friday morning.
Two Massachusetts war reenactors sipped on iced coffee to cool off amid the heat wave, saddened that the Semiquincentennial Parade was called off.
“We won’t be around for the 300th, so we really wanted to come for the 250th,” said Kathy Touzjian, 61. “At least we still have cheesesteaks.”
Touzjian and her friend Laurie Pelletier were among 75 members of the Massachusetts Army of 1775 who rode on a bus for six hours tobe in the parade Friday morning.
The cancellation didn’t immediately send the performers home. Instead, the fife — a wooden instrument similar to a piccolo — players chose to stay for the day and perform through Old City.
“Today is still special,” said Pelletier, 60. “It’s a chance to recognize what our ancestors gave us, because the world is falling apart and this brings people together.”
To them, the 250th anniversary feels different, not just because of the heat, but because now more than ever, Pelletier said, it’s important to remember what the United States stands for: liberty and independence for all.
As the pair readied to head out and perform, fixing their three-layer historic attire, Touzjian hopes future generations learn from this celebration: “No matter how hot it is, do not cancel the 300th independence parade.”
A dance group from Indianapolis drove 10 hours and arrived in Philadelphia around 9 p.m. Thursday night, ready to perform in the city’s parade on Friday.
The heat dashed those plans, but that didn’t stop Ballet Folklorico Mosaicos from dancing outside Independence Hall Friday afternoon.
Their dance is inspired by an annual carnival in Veracruz, Mexico, said director Jesus Hernandez.
They perform every year at the Indianapolis 500, and were “very honored” to be invited to Philly, he said. Hernandez said the group was disappointed that the parade was canceled but added that they’ve still had a great experience. “I’m so grateful to be here,” said one of the dancers, Tiffany Castillo, 25.
The Texas Glammas, a group of older adults and seniors who dance with walkers, made the trip to Philadelphia for America 250 festivities.
Sporting pink wigs, white breeches and sequin vests, the Texas Glammas traveled from their home Lone Star State, to Philadelphia to dance in the parade.
The group of 23 ranges in age from 55 to 79. Their founder, Christina Rodriguez, said that the group started because they were “a group of women who just wanted to keep moving.”
Scenes from the cancellation of the parade, at Independence Hall, July 3, 2026.
The group has a flash mob interpretation of “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus planned for later Friday afternoon, which they planned to perform outside of Liberty Hall. It’s one of several impromptu pop-up performances taking place across the Historic District in light of the parade’s cancelation.
The walkers they use as part of their performance, which were decorated in patriotic tinsel, will be donated before they head to DC tomorrow for the city’s parade.
Trump administration gets final go-ahead from the courts to install its own exhibits at the President’s House
Visitors read the original panels at the President’s House Pa alongside unofficial signage where visitors are encouraged to write down their reactions regarding the missing panels.
A Philadelphia-based federal appeals court gave President Donald Trump’s administration the final go-ahead to install its own exhibit at the President’s House.
The new panels, which historians criticized for whitewashing George Washington’s role in enslaving nine people, have been manufactured and stand ready to install, the Justice Department told the court.
The procedural step, which the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit took on an observed federal holiday, followed a Thursday request by Justice Department attorneys to allow the National Park Service to “begin work immediately and install its new exhibits.”
“The President’s House is an important national historical site, and the Government submits that the President’s House exhibits should be fully installed without further delay,” the government’s filing said.
The Department of the Interior did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker vowed to “pursue every legal action possible” in an effort to reverse last month’s Third Circuit ruling, which held the city has no rights over the President’s House.
Experts say none of the city’s appeal options are a slam dunk.
The city appealed quickly and asked the Third Circuit court to recall the Friday morning order, saying it didn’t have time to respond to the Justice Department’s Thursday request.
And while the federal government asked to install the exhibits “immediately,” the request did not identify a reason for the rush.
“That is not an emergency,” the city’s filing said, “it is a preference for speed.”
The city also repeated the argument, which found no purchase with the appellate judges so far, that allowing the Trump administration to install its own exhibit would cause the city and public irreparable harm.
The city’s motion does not automatically pause the court’s previous order.
The biggest question remaining is whether the Trump administration will attempt to install the panels during this historic July Fourth weekend marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Semiquincentennial parade acts will do pop-up performances across Old City
And, we’re pivoting!
Despite the Semiquincentennial Parade’s cancelation, some groups who have traveled far and wide to Philadelphia will get to perform anyway.
Organizers just announced that starting at noon and stretching across the day, marching bands, color guards, and dance troupes from across the country will do informal pop-up performances throughout the Historic District.
“The performances honor the commitment of the participating groups, many of whom traveled significant distances to be part of today’s celebration, while providing an opportunity for residents and visitors to experience the spirit of the Semiquincentennial festivities in a safe, flexible format,” organizers said in a statement. “Amenities including air conditioning, restrooms, and water are available to the public at Independence Visitor Center.”
The pop-up performances will take place at locations including:
Independence Visitor Center
Behind Independence Hall
City Tavern
Franklin Square
Liberty Garden
Betsy Ross House
Carpenters’ Hall
Outside the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Performers will include:
Alter High School Lancerettes and Sound Truck
Asian American Dragon and Lion with Cart
Ballet Mosaicos Dancers
Betsy Daily Dancers
Cheryl Chicken All American Performing Arts Center
Sights from Independence Mall: ‘I’m walking where the Founding Fathers were’
Large crowds walk along the sidewalk in front of Independence Mall during Philadelphia’s 250th anniversary celebrations on Friday.
Lines snake through the exterior courtyard of Independence Hall. Although entries have been paused as the building has surged at capacity, history buffs dressed in colonial costume — hats and wigs on, despite the heat —give mini lectures on the country’s founding.
“It feels important to follow the footsteps of our founding fathers these days,” says Alex Bergstedt, who travelled from Idaho with his wife. They came to Philadelphia because they “knew Fourth of July would be big.”
Nicholas Roth came to Philadelphia from upstate New York with two friends. The 26-year-old reflects, “I’m walking where the Founding Fathers were.”
Inside the National Constitution Center, Wilda and Thad Waites traveled from Hattiesburg, Miss., to celebrate America’s 250th birthday and hear from Pope Leo XIV.
“I’ve never seen such patriotism in one place,” said Thad Waites, 81, a cardiologist and sponsor of the National Constitution Center. “It’s been wonderful walking through the parks.”
The Waiteses didn’t mind the heat, either. In Mississippi, “We have the added humidity,” Wilda Waites said.
Andrew McLaughlin, 68, of West Chester, recently returned from a trip to Chicago. “The energy here compared to there is just incredible,” he said. “Everywhere you go you can just feel it.”
Ron Crofoot traveled to Philadelphia to be with his granddaughter as she was supposed to perform with her marching band at the parade. He says this Fourth of July made him reflect on when he celebrated America’s 200th birthday.
“I can picture myself in the fireworks 50 years ago; how quickly fifty years go by,” he said. “I won’t see the next. It gets more meaningful as you get older. You come to appreciate the uniqueness of the United States.”
Live from the Vatican, Pope Leo wears his Liberty Medal and addresses Philly crowd
Facing a screen showing the cheering Philadelphia audience, Pope Leo XIV wore his Liberty Medal along with his cross around his neck, live from the Vatican.
Leo, who grew up in Chicago and attended Villanova University, pointed to his roots in the United States.
“As a son of this great country, founded by courageous men and women who dreamed of liberty and of a better life for themselves and for their children, I join you in asking God’s blessings upon America’s future that the lofty ideals enshrined at the beginning of the Declaration of Independence may continue to guide the flourishing of the nation in unity, justice, and peace,” he said.
Ahead of the pope’s speech, the Constitution Center played video clips from a Philadelphia delegation’s April trip to the Vatican in which they presented Leo with the Liberty Medal — and some distinctly Philly gifts.
Those included Villanova swag and a Wawa tote bag — prompting a smile from Leo and applause from the audience in Philadelphia.
Pope Leo XIV nodded to his advocacy for humane treatment of immigrants, which he’s been particularly outspoken about given President Donald Trump’s mass deportation policies. Leo will visit a migration crossing in the Mediterranean Sea for Independence Day in lieu of coming to the United States.
“In these past 250 years, for so many peoples throughout the world, it was the firm resolve to achieve the noble vision of the nation’s founders that made America a byword for freedom, as the country opened its doors to successive waves of immigrants, enabling them and their children to play their part in shaping the future of the nation,” Leo said in his remarks.
He said that same “love of freedom” that inspired the nation “to look beyond itself and at great sacrifice to champion the cause of freedom beyond its own borders.”
The path to building a society that embodies such American ideals, he said, “was not always easy and, in many respects, is still a work in progress.”
Pope Leo XIV provided a message of unity in his remarks and called for a “recommitment” to the core beliefs behind the United States’ founding.
He said that to flourish, a country should be united by “ideals that do not fade with the passing of time.”
Leo, who has called for international peace and criticized President Donald Trump’s war in Iran, called on the country to recognize its values of “peace and prosperity, a country characterized by generosity and nobility of heart.”
He said the Declaration of Independence and the values of “shared human dignity” could help unite and guide the country.
Gov. Josh Shapiro and archbishop tout Pope Leo’s Philly ties
This video screen grab shows Pope Leo XIV wearing a Villanova hat gifted to him during a meeting with an Italian heritage group.
Pope Leo XIV’s ties to the Philadelphia area and Pennsylvania could not be ignored on Friday.
In his remarks, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro highlighted the history of the nation’s founding in Pennsylvania and said he was proud the pope was educated in the state.
Shapiro, a Democrat, said his own Jewish faith calls him to service, and to him, “it means that each of us has a responsibility to get off the sidelines.”
“I believe that work is needed, especially at this particular moment in time,” said Shapiro, a critic of President Donald Trump.
He said Leo has “exemplified that spirit of service” throughout his life, from Villanova to the Vatican.
Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez also highlighted the pope’s local ties while speaking.
“Philly is proud that the pope is a graduate of Villanova University,” he said. “Pope Leo knows us, and we feel like we know him too.”
Then known as Robert Francis Prevost, he began his academic journey at Villanova that would lead him to seminary, then priesthood, then through the ranks of the Catholic Church, ascending to cardinal and, this week, becoming Leo XIV, the first pope from the United States.
He went by “Bob” from Chicago in his college days and earned a bachelor of science in mathematics. He’s a confirmed Wildcats basketball fan.
Since taking on his new title, Pope Leo has continued to highlight his ties to the school, addressing Villanova’s Class of 2026 via video at their commencement ceremony.
“His influence, however, extends beyond Philadelphia,” the archbishop said.
The President’s House controversy mentioned at Pope Leo event
Rabbi Jill L. Maderer, of Congregation Rodeph Shalom, cited the nearby President’s House site, a federal park site that highlighted how President George Washington enslaved people, until President Donald Trump’s administration ordered much of the exhibit to be taken down. She was among Christian, Muslim, and Jewish faith leaders who spoke ahead of the pope’s speech.
Amid a legal fight between Philadelphia and the Trump administration, many of the walls of the President’s House site remain bare as tourists flood Independence Mall for the United States’ 250th anniversary. But protesters have hung up signs at the exhibit pointing people to news coverage and other information about the exhibit.
Maderer said Washington’s home, “where he enslaved human beings,” lay just west of the event. And to the east is a museum exhibit that has a letter from Washington to a Jewish community in 1790 assuring they would have religious liberty.
“Words that I pray are meant for all people,” she added.
Ahead of Pope Leo’s speech, city leaders gather for interfaith discussion
Gov. Josh Shapiro, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez, and other interfaith religious leaders sat on stage ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s speech at the National Constitution Center.
Democrats Parker, a Baptist, and Shapiro, who is Jewish have each been outspoken about their own faiths.
“My faith has carried me through every season of my life, and serving as your 100th mayor has only strengthened my belief that we are strongest when we come together in service of something that is greater than ourselves,” Parker said in remarks ahead of the pope’s speech.
Pope Leo’s speech is to be broadcast against the backdrop of a 100-foot tablet of the First Amendment in the Kenneth C. Griffin Great Hall Overlook at the National Constitution Center. The hall features flags from all 50 states. A giant American flag hangs from the 60-foot ceiling.
Hundreds of people gathered at the hall, many of them National Constitution Center sponsors, members, VIPs, and local religious leaders.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday rang a replica Liberty Bell outside with National Liberty Museum CEO Alaine K. Arnott and Lauren Sylling, the vice president of development at the National Constitution Center, as well as Sylling’s daughters.
“May the sound of this bell inspire all of us to continue building strong communities, serving one another with integrity, and ensuring the promises of liberty,” Sunday said.
Sunday, a Republican, said the country’s Constitution is the nation’s “instruction manual.”
Organizers say tomorrow’s One Philly: Unity Concert for America is still on
Jill Scott performs at The Met on March 16, 2023.
The city’s free major Fourth of July concert featuring Jill Scott, Christina Aguilera, The Roots, Will Smith, Freeway, and many more on Saturday is still a go.
That’s according to city organizers, who reiterated Friday that the event is rain-or-shine.
“The city is implementing water misting stations along the Ben Franklin Parkway, and there will be water refilling stations for anyone who needs one,” organizers told The Inquirer. “Fans are encouraged to bring a clear empty 20-ounce water bottle for refilling throughout the evening.”
Gates to the One Philly concert open at 3 p.m. Saturday and events conclude with a fireworks finale at 11:45 p.m. over the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Watch Live: 2026 Liberty Medal Ceremony Honoring Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV will accept the National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal on Friday, delivering remarks live from the Vatican that will be broadcast inside the Sixth and Arch building.
His speech will be particularly anticipated in Philadelphia given the Semiquincentennial and Leo’s deepties to the Philly area.
It’s not just Philly: Dozens of 250th events canceled due to heat wave
Event staff pack away floats that were to be part of an Independence Day parade, now cancelled due to extreme heat, in Philadelphia on Friday, July 3, 2026.
The major heat wave has certainly impacted events for the nation’s 250th anniversary locally, including today’s parade and yesterday’s Salute to Service concert with Queen Latifah.
But this isn’t just a Philly thing.
Dozens of parades, celebrations, and fireworks shows have been postponed, re-imagined, or cancelled entirely because of the dangerous heat conditions.
That’s according to Newsweek, which is keeping a list of the rolling cancellations, which stretch from Delaware to Southern Colorado so far.
The extreme weather is pushing temperatures of over 100 degrees across the Northeast throughout the long holiday weekend.
Gente de Venezuela president reflects on months of work leading up to parade
Alex Moreno woke up to a call from the Semiquincentennial Parade organizers early Friday, announcing the cancellation of the event.
As the president of Gente de Venezuela, Moreno was one of 50 people scheduled to march with the Venezuelan coalition in the celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary.
“We’re sad because it took months of hard work to set up the float, the attire, and schedule the guests from other cities to come,” Moreno said.
The group’s float featured a giant acoustic guitar in the colors of the Venezuelan flag alongside pink and orange flowers.
Gente de Venezuela has been working with neighboring coalitions on their float since late last year. Venezuelan dancers and singers from D.C., Atlantic City, and Wilmington were scheduled to travel to Philadelphia to join the non-profit in the parade.
“I managed to call them right before they began their travels,” Moreno said.
The sadness doubled for Gente de Venezuela as they saw the parade a way to honor both the country that has become their home and the workers in Venezuela currently rescuing people from under the rubble after the two earthquakes that ravaged the country.
“The cancellation is a reminder that life is more important,” Moreno said. “Heat can have consequences even worse than just feeling sad, and safeguarding people’s health is very important.”
No parade, but floats and reenactors roll on through historic district
With the Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade cancelled, Floats are parked near Independence Mall, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Philadelphia.
While the formal Salute to Independence Parade was canceled citing the extreme temperatures, spectators were still catching a glimpse of the floats before they retire.
On Friday morning, the larger-than-life elaborate floats could be seen proceeding down Arch and Fifth Streets, then to Chestnut Street.
The floats were anticipated to make a pit stop in front of Independence Mall this morning in lieu of their big route.
With the Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade cancelled reenactors gather near Independence Hall, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Philadelphia.
Dressed in Revolutionary War regalia, reenactors hoisted musical instruments and flags across Liberty Bell Pavilion for a bit of an impromptu parade.
Pope Leo XIV leaves after a Mass where he conferred the pallium on newly appointed metropolitan archbishops, in St. Peter’s Basilica, at the Vatican, last month.
Pope Leo XIV is being honored for “his commitment to religious liberty and freedom of conscience,” so he’ll likely speak on those themes, Julie Silverbrook, the chief content and learning officer for the National Constitution Center, said in an interview Friday morning ahead of his speech.
What does that mean, anyway?
The freedom of conscience, she said, is the right to “believe, think, feel, of every human being.”
“The ability to think freely for oneself,” she added.
She also said he’ll likely provide reflections on the significance of the Declaration of Independence given that it’s the eve of America’s 250th anniversary.
The pope was shaped both by the values of the United States and of Philadelphia as a former Villanova student, Silverbrook added.
In her eyes, the pope’s message will resonate regardless of people’s faiths or if they have no faith at all. She said he is “a global leader who has been uniquely shaped by American ideals and who is now reflecting those ideals across the world.”
Record warmth and showers now ‘likely’ Saturday night
A pedestrian shields from the sun with an umbrella resembling the American flag during an extreme heat wave on Friday, July 3, 2026, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia officials canceled the Wawa Welcome America Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade because of an Extreme Heat Warning, but visitors continued to gather in the historic district.
The day after tying a record high for the date, 103, the temperature didn’t get below 82 overnight, which would be a record-high minimum temperature for July 3 if it holds until midnight.
An encore is expected Saturday morning. (We will eschew saying “hotter than a firecracker.”)
The record for both dates is 77 and 79, respectively.
Saturday may be more problematic, but for a record-high minimum and maximum, 104 as thunderstorms knock down the temperatures late in the day or at night.
The National Weather Service this morning upped the probability of showers during the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 showdown between Paraguay and France and Wawa Welcome American festivities to 60%
‘Heartbreaking for all of us’: Read Welcome America CEO’s letter to parade participants this morning about the cancellation
In a letter sent Friday morning to parade participants, Welcome America, Inc. President and CEO Michael DelBene wrote that he was saddened by the decision to cancel the Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade, but it came down to safety.
“If we can’t do it safely, we simply won’t do it,” DelBene wrote.
DelBene said the decision was not reached by just parade organizers, but a mix of parade leadership, local offices, and agencies.
Participants were notified a little after 1 a.m. Organizers had already developed contingency plans for the parade, including a shorter route and earlier start time, but ultimately determined to cancel entirely for safety.
Fifty bands, 19 floats, and a mix of other cultural showcases were set to head down today’s parade route.
“On behalf of our entire team, I sincerely apologize for the devastating news just hours before the parade,” he said. “But I remain optimistic that we may someday be lucky enough to welcome you back to a future parade.”
Landon Shaw works on a float that will be in the Fourth of July the parade and festival, at the Convention Center in Philadelphia, June 29, 2026.
Here’s the full letter:
Dear Parade Participants,
My name is Michael DelBene and I am the President & CEO of Welcome America, Inc. I am writing to share the very difficult news that the Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade scheduled for today in Philadelphia has been canceled due to the extreme heat in the forecast. Today’s temperatures are expected to be well over 100 degrees with heat indexes reaching over 110. As much as this decision pains everyone inside our organization, we simply cannot host an event of this size and scale under these conditions.
I cannot begin to express how sad I am having to make this decision. Todd Marcocci and Under the Sun Productions have been working tirelessly with each of you to design something truly historic, and having to cancel it at the last minute is heartbreaking for all of us. Todd and his team at the Under the Sun did not make this decision, rather it resulted from a collaborative discussion among Welcome America leadership and the various Philadelphia offices and agencies tasked with public safety. While large-scale celebrations and community events may be our mission, our first responsibility will always be to the safety and security of our staff, our guests, and our event participants. If we can’t do it safely, we simply won’t do it.
I know how much time and effort you have invested to get here: the countless hours of rehearsal, travel time, and the financial burden of participating in this event. I am humbled by your commitment and remain in awe of your passion and dedication to your craft. On behalf of our entire team, I sincerely apologize for the devastating news just hours before the parade, but I remain optimistic that we may someday be lucky enough to welcome you back to a future parade.
Thank you again for your willingness to be part of our celebration. Safe travels and best of luck,
Michael
__________________________________________
Michael DelBene (he/him/his)
President & CEO
Welcome America, Inc.
// Timestamp 07/03/26 8:43am
National Weather Service: Extreme heat warning remains in effect
The National Weather Service doesn’t anticipate this extreme heat backing off for the sake of the Nation’s big birthday.
Sunny and hot, with a high near 104 and heat index values as high as 111, the Philadelphia region remains under two hazardous weather conditions, including an extreme heat advisory and an air quality alert, advising that pollution could affect people with respiratory and heart conditions.
The hope is that things temper down by tonight, with Idina Menzel’s Pops Orchestra appearance being pushed back an hour to 8 p.m. to accommodate the severe weather.
NWS expects mostly clear skies, a low of around 82 and the chance of isolated showers or thunderstorms before midnight.
The string of record-breaking high temperatures coincides with a slate of events and celebrations scheduled across town, including Fourth of July activities and a highly anticipated FIFA World Cup Round of 16 showdown between Paraguay and France.
FIFA Fan Festival in Lemon Hill, which has been hosting free watch parties since the start of the World Cup, announced shortened hours because of the heat.
On Saturday, the festival will open at noon for the 1 p.m. match between Canada and Morocco, then the grounds will close. The Philly match between Paraguay and France will not be broadcast at the festival.
The NWS recommends staying hydrated and out of the sun as much as possible and checking on relatives and neighbors. Young children, pets, and seniors are especially vulnerable.
The Semiquincentennial parade is canceled because of heat
Todd Marcocci (left) and Jeremy Williams work on a float back stage with the crews of the now-canceled Semiquincentennial parade.
Wawa’s Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade is canceled due to high temperatures, according to organizers.
The parade was set to start Friday at noon after a delay was already announced Thursday.
The Pops concert Friday night, featuring Idina Menzel, is still on, according to Wawa Welcome America. A later start time of 8 p.m. was announced earlier this week.
While some Facebook users understood the expected over-100-degree weather could put people at risk, others felt strongly about the lack of celebration.
“What a disappointment for not only those of us who had hoped to watch, but also for the bands and other marchers who have come from all across the U.S.,” one user commented. “I get it — no one wants the liability. But are we just going to cancel everything?”
Another added, “It’s the 250th in the Birthplace of Freedom, and we’re just canceling parades because it’s warm,” leaving people to argue and point out that it wasn’t simply a warm day in Philadelphia, but a dangerous heat advisory.
Friday’s high is expected to break records in Philadelphia, with the anticipated minimum high of 104 last met in 1966 — when the nation was a mere 190 years old.
Experts say this is different and riskier than warm days in past Julys.
Over the past 85 years, Julys in Philadelphia are running on average 4.4 degrees warmer than in 1940, based on an analysis of historical weather data. That translates to an increase of about 0.52 degrees per decade.
The city on Tuesday declared a “heat health emergency” in effect from 1 p.m. Wednesday through 8 p.m. Saturday. Across the Northeast, outdoor events are being rescheduled or canceled, citing the heat. Those events range from other America 250 events to local farmers’ markets.
Pope Leo XIV is speaking to the National Constitution Center live from the Vatican
Pope Leo XIV will accept the National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal on Friday at 11 a.m., delivering remarks live from the Vatican that will be broadcast inside the Sixth and Arch building.
The U.S.-born pontiff’s speech is a major addition to Philadelphia’s already extensive lineup of activities and events on the eve of the United States’ 250th birthday on July Fourth.
His speech will be particularly anticipated in Philadelphia given the Semiquincentennial and Leo’s deepties to the Philly area.
The Catholic leader has garnered attention for clashing with President Donald Trump’s administration, which will be further exemplified by his visit with migrants on Independence Day.
His award acceptance speech also comes just two days after traditionalist Catholics in Switzerland defied him by consecrating bishops without his consent, which Leo called “a sin of extreme gravity,” the Associated Press reported.
His Friday remarks were initially going to be broadcast on Independence Mall but it was moved inside due to extreme heat.
Events in Philly today include free museums and Pops on Independence
America’s 250th birthday is finally here, and organizations throughout Philadelphia have planned a full itinerary of celebrations for the weekend.
For those seeking historical enrichment, live music from national headliners, or even a patriotic pet parade, look no further.
Here is a schedule of the activities and events happening in the city Friday:
Free Museum Day: Fireman’s Hall Museum
In a renovated 1898 firehouse, the Fireman’s Hall visitors can learn about the history of firefighting in Philadelphia, the birthplace of volunteer fire companies.
10 a.m., 147 N. 2nd St.
Free Museum Day: Science History Institute
The museum will feature a new exhibition on fireworks, exploring the art, chemistry, and craft behind the colorful emblem of the holiday.
10 a.m., 315 Chestnut St.
38th annual Liberty Medal ceremony
In a public ceremony, the National Constitution Center will award the 38th annual Liberty Medal to Pope Leo XIV, who will deliver live acceptance remarks virtually from the Vatican.
10:45 a.m., 525 Arch St.
Free Museum Day: Historic St. George’s Museum and Archives
Celebrating traditional craftsmanship, the museum will offer hands-on workshops where participants can create their own wax seals and try out water marbling.
11 a.m., 235 N. 4th St.
Free Museum Day: Historic Waynesborough
Located in Paoli, this National Historic Landmark was once the home of Revolutionary War hero Gen. Anthony Wayne. Free tours of the Georgian-style property will be available for visitors.
Noon, 2049 Waynesborough Road, Paoli, Pa.
Pops on Independence
Enjoy a live orchestral show with the Philly Pops, headlined by Tony Award-winning performer Idina Menzel.
Friday’s high is expected to challenge the reigning champ, the 104 set during a blistering heat wave in 1966, when the nation was a mere 190 years old.
On Saturday, when Philly celebrates the nation’s 250th birthday, the high may fall just short of 100, said Matt Benz, senior meteorologist with AccuWeather, as the high pressure “heat dome” covering much of the nation loses some of its protective power over Philly.
That also could be a window for “ring of fire” thunderstorms that could be nasty. The federal Storm Prediction Center sees a 15% chance that any storms on Saturday could become “severe,” with wind gusts up to 60 mph.
By Sunday, highs will be backing off to the 90s, however the sequence of warm nights probably will persist, at least in areas of Philadelphia most affected by the urban heat island effect.
John Adams wanted ‘pomp and parade’ to mark July 2. For the 250th, Philly tried, despite the heat.
As the mercury climbed above 100 degrees in the Philadelphia region two days before the nation’s 250th birthday, it was, it seemed, too hot for liberty as originally planned.
Thursday marked the start of the Red White & Blue To-Do — Philadelphia’s third-annual celebration of the day the Second Continental Congress voted to adopt a resolution of independence here on July 2, 1776. Though many events honoring that anniversary were planned, several highly anticipated gatherings were canceled or postponed due to the heat.
And yet, despite the oppressive temperatures on a particularly toasty July day in the cradle of the nation’s founding, the celebration started early Thursday.
At 7 a.m., some 250 revelers, clad in red, white, and blue clothing, gathered at Independence Mall to make a living Liberty Bell — a representation of a symbol that has defined Philadelphia for centuries, and a touchstone for Americans nationwide. The human formation even captured the bell’s signature crack through an outline of participants wearing blue.
// RelatedLink Text: Ben Franklin contest URL: https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/a/ben-franklin-look-alike-contest-philadelphia-july-4th-20260703.html
Think you know your news? There’s only one way to find out. Welcome back to our weekly News Quiz — a quick way to see if your reading habits are sinking in and to put your local news knowledge to the test.
Question 1 of 10
President Donald Trump quietly removed mentions of slavery from a panel accompanying a portrait of this historic figure from Independence Hall:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
President Donald Trump’s administration has wiped almost all mentions of slavery from a panel accompanying a portrait of Thomas Jefferson at the Second Bank of the United States. The Inquirer's discovery of these changes come as Philadelphians are grappling with the Trump administration's attacks on the President's House site.
Question 2 of 10
Thirty years since its release, Big Night — the ultimate Jersey Shore movie that pays tribute to Italian American food — is still inspiring local chefs, including this restaurateur who calls the film and its food “magic”:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Philadelphia chef and restaurateur Marc Vetri is a fan of the film. “In 1996, chefs were in this kind of zone,” said Vetri, who watched the film shortly after it came out. “We all made the menus, and we had our visions, and we didn’t want to alter anything, and [said] ‘this is how we do it’.”
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Question 3 of 10
A local ceramicist, whose dishware can be seen at restaurants ranging from Provenance to Zahav, is rebuilding following bankruptcy and a kiln disaster. What are they called?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The vibrant, paint-flecked, confetti-esque glazed bowls are Philly icons. But at the end of January, these and hundreds of other ceramic dishes lay in ruins inside Felt and Fat’s kiln. Now, they’re reorganizing.
Question 4 of 10
In what year did classic South Philly Italian restaurant Saloon start serving its signature cocktail, a water ice martini?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Anthony Cardullo — the current owner of John's Water Ice — invented the water ice martini when he was just a bartender at Saloon in 2002 by combining John's lemon water ice with vodka and limoncello. Now nearly 25 years later, the cocktail is inspiring dupes down the Shore and elsewhere in Philly.
Question 5 of 10
Broadway legend Idina Menzel returns to Philadelphia this week to perform her biggest hits from musicals and beyond, joining the Philly Pops for a free concert on Independence Mall on July 3. The California resident loves her visits to Philly. She says she always does this one thing when she makes the trip:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Outside of touring, the Tony Award winner is no stranger to the city: As a former New Yorker, Menzel visited often, and in college she once spent a Christmas in town with two of her New York University roommates from Philadelphia. There’s one thing she loves to do whenever she stops in Philly — run up the Art Museum steps. “I make it a point to, with my son, because he’s such an athlete, we run the steps. I call them the Rocky steps,” she said.
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Perhaps a recession indicator, Fountain Porter has raised the price of its burger from $6 to $7. The East Passyunk neighborhood bar made the nearly 17% price increase official last Wednesday, citing ingredient prices. About how many burgers does Fountain Porter say it makes weekly?
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Fountain Porter makes upward of 800 burgers a week with the three cooks alone dedicated just to grilling and flipping patties.
Question 7 of 10
The world’s largest steam locomotive is coming to Philly for July 4, traveling from the West Coast. What’s the train called?
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Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 will arrive in Philadelphia in time for Fourth of July celebrations, completing its journey from the West Coast. The legendary locomotive has already drawn thousands to tracks across Pennsylvania, according to the railroad.
Question 8 of 10
A 14-year-old Phillies fan went viral after he grabbed a Mets home run ball and did this:
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When Josh Kirsch got his hands on a ball hit by the Mets’ Carson Benge on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park, he kept it, throwing back a ball he brought from home instead that he’d Sharpied “not the home run ball” onto.
Question 9 of 10
This public bridge turned 100 on Wednesday. It will celebrate on July 11, closing for vehicles and inviting the public to walk it freely.
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The Benjamin Franklin Bridge was opened to the public a century ago, on July 1, 1926, just in time for the United States’ Sesquicentennial. To celebrate, it will be closed to vehicles for public use for the first time since Pope Francis’ visit in 2015.
Question 10 of 10
Following years of planning, a statue commemorating this Philly figure has moved to the base of the Philadelphia Museum of Art:
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“Smokin’” Joe Frazier is finally in his new home, just in time for the 250th birthday of the United States. City officials, alongside Frazier’s family, friends, and fans, on Monday unveiled the real-life heavyweight boxing champion’s statue at the base of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Intended to be the statue’s new location in perpetuity, the spot was occupied by a monument to fictional boxer Rocky Balboa for two decades.
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John Adams wanted ‘pomp and parade’ to mark July 2. For the 250th, Philly tried, despite the heat.
Participants gather to create the Living Liberty Bell, gathering 250 people to form the shape of the famous bell on Independence Mall (with the backdrop of Independence Hall) adorned in red, white, and blue, at Independence Hall, July 2, 2026.
As the mercury climbed above 100 degrees in the Philadelphia region two days before the nation’s 250th birthday, it was, it seemed, too hot for liberty as originally planned.
Thursday marked the start of the Red White & Blue To-Do — Philadelphia’s third-annual celebration of the day the Second Continental Congress voted to adopt a resolution of independence here on July 2, 1776. Though many events honoring that anniversary were planned, several highly anticipated gatherings were canceled or postponed due to the heat.
And yet, despite the oppressive temperatures on a particularly toasty July day in the cradle of the nation’s founding, the celebration started early Thursday.
At 7 a.m., some 250 revelers, clad in red, white, and blue clothing, gathered at Independence Mall to make a living Liberty Bell — a representation of a symbol that has defined Philadelphia for centuries, and a touchstone for Americans nationwide. The human formation even captured the bell’s signature crack through an outline of participants wearing blue.
Drone show still set for 10 p.m. tonight over National Constitution Center
While other events have been canceled because of the heat, the Independence Illumination Drone Show is still scheduled for 10 p.m. Thursday over the National Constitution Center and is viewable from Independence Mall.
Photos: Union Pacific’s legendary ‘Big Boy’ locomotive heading to Philly
Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 will arrive in Philadelphia on Saturday in time for Fourth of July celebrations, completing its journey from the West Coast. The legendary locomotive has drawn thousands of spectators as it has traveled across Pennsylvania.
The Big Boy is headed to Intrepid Avenue and League Island Boulevard at the Navy Yard, where the Port of Philadelphia will host a public viewing from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and again on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. before heading west. Admission is free.
Earlier on Thursday, over-heated train fans gathered near Reading to see Big Boy required medical attention because of the scorching temperatures.
“Preliminary estimates indicate that more than 100 patients required medical evaluation and care throughout the incident,” the Blandon Fire Department, one of the numerous responding agencies, posted on Facebook.
The official high reached 103 Thursday in Philly, tying a record perhaps fittingly set in 1901 when the nation was marking its 125th birthday, halfway to the Semiquincentennial.
The bar is a shade higher Friday when the record is 104, and Saturday’s would be 103, both set during a sizzling heat wave in 1966.
Relief-bearing showers are unlikely Friday, said Patrick O’Hara, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Office in Mount Holly, N.J.
However, the 50-50 chance remains for Saturday night, coinciding with the climax of the city’s Welcome America celebration on a World Cup game.
Severe storms are possible, the federal Storm Prediction Center says.
Sunday, the highs might not get past 90, or the low 80s on Monday.
Salute to Service, featuring Queen Latifah, has been canceled because of extreme heat
A man working the event (right) tells folks that the Wawa Welcome America’s Salute to Service featuring the United States Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus on Independence Mall with superstar Queen Latifah has been cancelled because of the excessive heat on Thursday, July 2, 2026.
The Wawa Welcome America Salute to Service concert has been canceled because of the extreme heat, organizers announced via social media just after 5 p.m. Thursday.
The concert was to feature Queen Latifah and the United States Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus performing at Independence National Historical Park. It was intended to be a “rousing performance honoring our soldiers and veterans,” according to a description of the event online.
It was set to begin at 8 p.m., but is now among a list of several other events that have been canceled or rescheduled due to the heat blanketing the Philadelphia region. Temperatures topped 100 degrees in the city Thursday afternoon, and the heat is expected to continue into Friday.
Sign announcing the cancellation of Thursday night’s Salute to Service concert featuring Queen Latifah and the U.S. Army field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus at Independence National Historical Park due to a declared heat emergency with 100-plus temperatures.
Artists perform music, poetry at historic locations across Old City
More than two dozen Philadelphia artists filled 11 historic spaces across Old City Thursday afternoon with music, poetry, and powerful vibes as part of WXPN Welcomes the Red, White & Blue To-Do Music Series.
The audience seats, however, were not all filled as crowds remained light and foot traffic across the historic district was much sparser than an average Thursday.
Legendary Philly poet and recording artist Ursula Rucker performed with Miles Orion on guitar at the Arch Street Meetinghouse for a crowd of about a dozen people. She gave moving renditions of her poems — like “Philadelphia Child” and “Fear or Freedom” — and ended her set on “L.O.V.E.”
“Love soft, love hard, just love,” she said, encouraging the small crowd to repeat one of the most powerful words in the English language with her – love.
Over at Mother Bethel AME Church, 21 members of the Mass choir accompanied by an organist and drummer performed gospel music for a crowd of about just as many spectators. The floorboards of the church’s social hall vibrated, hands clapped, and feet tapped as the choir beautifully performed songs like “Battlefield” and “Yes, God is real.”
“They just about blew the roof off!” said Dolly Marshall, who frequents the church.
Marshall, a historic preservation specialist for the city of Camden, is a “Bicentennial baby” who’s celebrating both the country’s birth and her own milestone birthday this year. She’s also a descendent of James Forten, who was a Revolutionary Philadelphia sailmaker, abolitionist, and Black patriot.
“I wanted to be a part of the festivities today. Seeing people come together, we should carry this spirit all year long. You’ve seen the evidence with FIFA and the World Cup too, people coming together from different denominations and different cultures. That’s the beauty of celebrations like these,” she said. “Of course, this coincides with other things that are going on in the country, some that aren’t so pleasant. We’re divided in many ways, so these times also shed light on the work that still needs to be done.”
Rev. Carolyn C. Cavaness, pastor of Mother Bethel AME, said she wanted to open the church’s doors for the Red, White & Blue To-Do because it sits on the oldest parcel of land continuously owned by African-Americans in the country, dating back to 1791.
“I’ve been reflecting, here we’re celebrating the birthday of America but there are people who are not invited to the party. There are people who are still left out. So how do we, in this generation, show that all men and women are created equal?” she said. “And not only in word and ideal but in deed and thought and how we legislate and how we live and embrace each other.”
Mother Bethel AME Mass choir performing as part of @wxpnfm.bsky.social Red, White & Blue music series in Philly today.
At Independence Hall, Hakeem Jeffries said it was important to speak about the history of slavery in America
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington in May.
During his speech Thursday afternoon at Independence Hall, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries underscored the country’s history of slavery that coexisted during the nation’s founding. He also emphasized that Americans have no king and should never obey one. He said it was important to speak to those themes to remind people of the founders’ ideals.
“The Declaration of Independence was pretty clear as a defiant document in breaking away from King George III and establishing a country where there would be representative democracy based on the consent of the government, where there are no subjects, only citizens,” he said.
The city of Philadelphia and President Donald Trump’s administration have been embroiled in a battle over language that references George Washington, who enslaved people as the country gained its independence.
Jeffries said he has not had a chance to see the updated language yet.
“But I think it’s important for us to embrace the fact that America was not born as a perfect country, but the framers and the founders of our great republic were able to set us on a path toward always marching to a more perfect union,” he said.
Only a few Republicans, including U.S. Reps. Glenn Thompson and Rob Aderholt, attended Thursday’s session. No members of Republican leadership in Congress attended.
“Speaker Johnson, I didn’t get an opportunity to talk about why he wasn’t present here today, but I’m thankful that I was here, and it’s a very special day that I will,” he said, referring to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.).
Thompson, a Republican who represents Pennsylvania, said he was proud to attend Thursday’s event: “Oh, who would not want to be a part of celebrating the actual 250th anniversary of our independence?”
Several speeches during the special Congressional session emphasized the need for Congress to remain an independent branch and exercise its authority to check power on the executive. To Thompson, the remarks seemed ”a little political,” he said, “but it is an excellent observation, whenever we don’t have a king, we can thank George Washington for that.”
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries says “there are no kings in America” in his speech during the special Congressional session in Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/KFi7d3WVw1
Philly performances by Jill Scott, The Roots will be featured on CBS primetime special July 4th
Fil photo of Jill Scott performing at The Met on March 16, 2023.
CBS will highlight performances in Philadelphia by Jill Scott and The Roots during a three-hour “primetime” televised special July 4th, the network announced Thursday.
CBS will broadcast from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday The Great American Block Party 250 from 8 to 11 p.m. hosted from the nation’s capital by CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil and Entertainment Tonight co-host Nischelle Turner, the network said.
The special, which will be streamed on Paramount+ and CBS News 24/7, will feature musical performance from across the country, “grill sessions” with Washington chef Rock Harper, and a big fireworks show.
The performances by Jill Scott and The Roots are part of the scheduled One Philly Unity Concert for America in Philadelphia.
Jarquiza Ayers, on the staff of U.S. Rep. Watson Coleman, uses a handheld fan to cool off U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, seated In Congress Hall at Independence Hall on Thursday before some 30-40 members of the House of Representatives gathered for a ceremonial event to mark the 250th anniversary of the day the Second Continental Congress voted for independence.
Members of the U.S. Congress lined up Thursday to enter Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the site where, 250 years ago, the Second Continental Congress gathered to declare independence from Great Britain. Rep. Glenn Thompson (R., Pa.) opened the ceremonial event, saying “the origins of our republic trace back to Pennsylvania.”
In speeches, Gov. Josh Shapiro and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries reminded attendees of the history of the founders’ goals that America has no king, and that what would become the legislative branch is separate from the executive and acts as a check on power.
Members of both parties attended, wearing suits and waving fans — a sign of the 100-degree heat outside the Hall in Philadelphia.
Rep. Brendan Boyle, a Democrat whose district includes Independence Hall, had worked for two years to convene a special Congressional ceremonial event to mark the 250th anniversary of the vote to declare independence.
He motioned to pass into the Congressional record that reads: “The members of Congress present on this day come together in the spirit of unity and celebration … to reflect on the best of our nation’s founding ideals.”
About 30 members of Congress attended the special meeting.
Following a benediction from Rep. Robert Menendez (D., N.J.), the special session adjourned.
Extreme heat leads to canceled and postponed July 4 plans across South Jersey
Countless parades, fireworks, drone shows, and more are scheduled for this weekend to celebrate the Fourth of July and the nation’s 250th birthday across South Jersey, but extreme heat is complicating plans.
With temperatures forecast to exceed 100 degrees through Independence Day, some South Jersey towns are taking steps to keep residents out of the heat — even if it means canceling their annual holiday events.
Others that haven’t taken any major steps yet are advising residents to stay hydrated and out of the direct sunlight as much as possible over the weekend.
Essentials carted in ahead of ceremonial Congressional event
The seal of the U.S. House of Representatives waits outside Independence Hall Thursday, July 2, before some 30 to 40 members of Congress gather for a ceremonial event to mark the 250th anniversary of the day the Second Continental Congress voted for independence.
Visitors to the Liberty Bell, in Philadelphia, July 2, 2026.
For the 63rd time in records dating to 1874, the temperature reached 100 degrees on Thursday afternoon, officially in Philadelphia, and the heat index jumped to 109 at 1 p.m.
The forecast high, 103, would match a record for a July 2, set back in 1901 when the nation was marking its 125th birthday,
While summers have become warmer in Philadelphia, 100-degree readings have been relatively scarce this century.
On average, temperatures of 100 or higher have occurred every four years in Philly, but when it reached 100 last summer, that was the first time in 13 years, the longest 100-less stretch on record.
It had reached 100 in three consecutive summers ending in 2012, and five consecutive years ending in 1955.
Things may change tomorrow; it might get a little warmer.
More than 100 mayors learn about historical significance of July 2nd, 1776, at Museum of the American Revolution
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker interacts with visiting mayors on July 2.
More than 100 mayors, some with families in tow, gathered in a small auditorium in the Museum of the American Revolution and learned about the historical significance of this day 250 years ago.
On July 2, 1776, 12 of the 13 colonies voted in favor of independence from Great Britain, explained Tom Cochran, U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO and executive director. Only New York cast a no vote until a few days later, when it got on board as well.
“We talk about the Declaration, we talk about the Constitution, it was on that day, July 2nd … that we broke,” Cochran said.
He put the work that political leaders executed on that day two and a half centuries ago in terms the modern-day U.S. mayors would understand.
The resolution the officials voted on in 1776 “didn’t have 35 whereas clauses,” Cochran explained, as are common in modern-day resolutions reviewed in local government chambers. This resolution, he explained, only had one clause.
“Resolved, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states,” Cochran said, quoting the resolution.
It was only in coming together and sharing ideas that the representatives from across the colonies accomplished an extraordinary thing. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker urged the mayors at the symposium to do the same at this meeting.
“May today’s conversations strengthen old friendships, spark new ideas, and renew our shared commitment to public service,” Parker said. “Welcome to Philadelphia, everyone. Let’s roll up our sleeves and continue the hard work together.”
Floats, dance, and a lot of sun: Pomp & Parade winds through historic district
A member of Gente de Venezuela Philly marches through Independence Mall during the Red, White, & Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade event on Thursday, July 2, 2026, in Philadelphia.
Performers from neighborhoods across Philadelphia and nations around the world weren’t slowed down by oppressive temperatures Thursday as they marched, stepped, and danced their way down Independence Mall in the Red, White & Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade.
The extreme heat did seem to have an effect on attendance, though. Crowds were relatively light along the parade route this year, particularly in areas without shade, of which there are many along the mall.
The parade featured cultural groups like Gente de Venezuela Philly, whose members waved Venezuelan and American flags; Banda Escolar de Guayanilla, a marching band from Puerto Rico; the Indiana County Fife & Drum Corps, who brought the history in tricorn hats, and the West Powelton Steppers & Drum Squad, who brought the beat in the heat.
Participants pulled wagons featuring small floats of Independence Hall, the LOVE sculpture, and the Liberty Bell, and a historical interpreter portraying John Adams brought up the rear of the procession.
Despite its name, the parade was a living illustration that this country’s true colors aren’t just red, white, and blue — this nation is a diverse tapestry of vibrant, beautiful hues.
Pastor Funmi Obilana of RCCG Church in West Philly stopped to watch the parade with two other members of her congregation on their way to the President’s House Site. The three women were doing a walking tour of their own city Thursday, stopping at places where their ancestors were once enslaved in advance of Independence Day.
“We are here to pray for this city and this nation,” Obilana said. “Two-hundred-and-fifty years is a big number and it should be a new beginning, not only for Philadelphia, but for the nation.”
Christian Greene, 14, and fellow members of the Indiana County Fife and Drum Corps, a music group for 6th-12th grade students in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, wait for their bus back home after the parade ends in front of the YO statue on Thursday, July 2, 2026, in Philadelphia.
Lori Morgan and her three daughters traveled from Seattle to celebrate the Red, White & Blue To-Do in Philly before heading to Boston for July 4th.
“We knew we wanted to do something historic for the 250th so we thought ‘Let’s go to Philadelphia on July 2, since this is where it all happened,” she said.
The family toured Independence Hall Wednesday, and Morgan said it gave them a new perspective on the days and people that led to the founding of our nation.
“We really thought about how when they did the Declaration it was a hot summer and this weather is helping us empathize with what they went through. It was difficult for them with the heat and tempers and they had to pull it together,” Morgan said. “I just think about those men and they all had different ideas, just like we do today, but they knew they couldn’t fail and they had to come together, and they did.”
Dance4Life from Claymont, Del, in Philly’s Red, White & Blue To-Do parade today
Behind Independence Hall Thursday, where the shade was plentiful, National Park Service rangers, colonial reenactors, and independent guides led several large groups on tours and gave information talks.
Lines for both Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell snaked down the sides of their respective buildings. Directly in front of Independence Hall on the mall, FOX Sports appeared to be setting up a large broadcast booth that an employee said will be used for coverage of the July 4th World Cup game in the city.
Philadelphians also got their side hustle on around the mall, selling everything from 250th flags to homemade buttons that read “Make America humane again” and “Deport ICE.”
What state candidates for governor are doing on Independence Day
(use as desired) Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro shakes hand of Stacy Garrity, 78th State Treasurer, Forum Auditorium, Harrisburg, PA, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Day of her swearing in.
Treasurer Stacy Garrity, the Republican candidate for Pennsylvania governor, will be spending her July Fourth marching in the Susquehanna County parade Saturday, a spokesperson told The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Her Democratic opponent, Gov. Josh Shapiro, meanwhile, will appear from sunup to sundown at events throughout the city — as well as frequent television hits.
Shapiro has repeatedly raised concern that President Donald Trump has led the nation astray from its founders’ design and initially announced that Pennsylvania would not take part in Trump’s Great American State Fair, before Pennsylvania’s U.S. senators, Republican Dave McCormick and Democrat John Fetterman, made a push to fill the state’s empty exhibit. Garrity, in a statement, said Shapiro is the “only career politician who has politicized America 250.”
March featuring mayors from across the country heads through Historic District
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker leads bipartisan mayors from communities across the nation in a Historic March of America’s Mayors through the birthplace of American democracy, and past Independence Hall, in Philadelphia, July 2, 2026.
In the sweltering shadeless heat of Independence Mall, more than 100 mayors from small towns and big cities across the country disembarked from coach buses donning large white sashes reading “mayor” and styling various patriotic yet professional sundresses and suits.
After a quick photo opp, the crowd of local leaders made its way down Market Street and turned at Sixth Street at the President’s House.
“Hit the music!” someone from the group joked.
Despite no accompaniment, scorching temperatures, and differing political alignments, the mayors quickly befriended one another, many bonding over a shared connection of a city or state.
“There’s so many Michigan mayors here,” one said. “It’s great to be in the city of brotherly love,” someone else from the group shouted to the spectators.
Visitors along the mall, some beating the heat with portable fans or umbrellas for shade, waved and welcomed them while one man followed them juggling.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker led the charge from the President’s House site to Independence Hall to a collective sigh of relief when the sweat-laden group entered the Museum of the American Revolution for a symposium.
“At a time when too much in our country pulls people apart, mayors have a different responsibility starting with bringing people together,” Parker said. “We share the same mission to serve our people, solve problems and strengthen the communities we are privileged to lead. We fully believe there is no better place for that reminder than Philadelphia because this city tells America’s whole story, no matter how imperfect it may be.”
The National Weather Service sees a 50-50 chance of thunderstorms Saturday night, and some of them may become quite strong.
On Thursday, the federal Severe Storm Prediction Center, in Norman, Okla., increased the probability of severe storms — those with wind gusts up to 60 mph — to 15%.
Forecasters warned that predicting the timing, location, and ferocity of storms would be impossible two days out.
On average, thunderstorms occur every five days in July in Philadelphia, the peak month of the year.
Advocates to host Black Independence Day gathering on Independence Mall on July 4
Avenging The Ancestors Coalition, the advocacy group that pushed to create and maintain the President’s House exhibit memorializing the nine people enslaved by George Washington in his Philadelphia home, will host a Black Independence Day gathering on Independence Mall on July 4.
The event is slated to include reflections on freedom and independence, and an update on the legal battle surrounding the slavery memorial, and a call to action.
As the country celebrates the Founding Fathers’ “righteous battle” against tyranny, it’s important to also acknowledge slavery, said Michael Coard, a coalition founding member.
“You can’t truly love something unless you truly know it,” Coard said. “Until Americans acknowledge and address that bad and especially that ugly, they will never know, and therefore can never love, America.”
The group will meet at the grassy area adjacent to the memorial, which is on the corner of Sixth and Market Streets, at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Philadelphia shipwrights handbuilt a replica of the boat Washington used to cross the Delaware. It’s on display now.
The team at the Seaport Boat Shop at Independence Seaport Museum has built a full-scale replica of the Durham boat — the model of boat George Washington used to cross the Delaware with his Patriot troops on Christmas in 1776.
The boat got its name because it was used to transport iron from Durham Ironworks in Bucks County to Philadelphia. It is on display in Washington Crossing Historic Park.
Two hundred and fifty participants gather to create the Living Liberty Bell to form the shape of the famous bell on Independence Mall adorned in red, white, and blue, at Independence Hall.
Kicking off Red, White & Blue To-Do at 7 a.m. Thursday, 250 people gathered at Liberty Mall to make a “living Liberty Bell.”
(Left to right) McKenzie Kerry, Kate Dimmett, and Reagan Earlywine, stand with other participants who gathered to create the Living Liberty Bell.
Participants wore red, white, and blue (naturally) and included Tess Ferm, Miss America’s Teen from South Carolina, and former city representative Sheila Hess.
Participants gather to create the Living Liberty Bell.
The human formation even captured the bell’s signature crack through an outline of participants wearing blue.
A little later and just down the road, bells rang out at the Betsy Ross House and the official flags rose to signal the beginning of a day’s worth of festivities.
Thursday events include a parade, concert, and drone show
Locals and tourists alike are set to brave 100-degree-plus temperatures to attend the Red, White & Blue To-Do — Philadelphia’s third-annual celebration of the day the Second Continental Congress voted here on July 2, 1776, to adopt a resolution of independence from Great Britain — all day Thursday.
Founding Father John Adams believed July 2 would be celebrated for generations to come with “Pomp and Parade,” but July 4, when Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, got all of the glory and became the day we mark the founding of our country.
Adams’ prognostication in a letter to his wife, Abigail, didn’t come to fruition until 2024, when the Philadelphia Historic District Partners — a coalition of more than 30 institutions, museums, and attractions — heeded his call and created a packed day of festivities across Old City in advance of this year’s Semiquincentennial.
Thursday’s events begin at 7 a.m. with 250 people forming the outline of a “Living Liberty Bell” on Independence Mall and will conclude at 10 p.m. with the “Independence Illumination Drone Show” over the mall.
Highlights include the Red, White & Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade, which begins at 11 a.m. at the National Constitution Center and passes by Independence Hall, and the 8 p.m. Wawa Welcome America Salute to Service concert with Queen Latifah and the United States Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus.
In between, attendees can stop in and cool off at attractions across the city that will host events, like colonial chocolate making at the Betsy Ross House and a scavenger hunt at the Independence Seaport Museum. From 2 to 5 p.m., more than two dozen Philadelphia musicians will perform at 11 locations across the city as part of WXPN Welcomes the Red, White & Blue To-Do Music Series.
Congress to mark 250th anniversary of vote for independence
Historic Interpreter, Lane Norris, as Alexander Hamilton, outside Independence Hall earlier this month.
Members of Congress will gather Thursday at Independence Hall for a ceremonial event to mark the 250th anniversary of the day the Second Continental Congress voted for independence.
U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, a Philadelphia Democrat whose district includes the historic site, had worked for years to set up a joint session of Congress — an extremely rare occurrence outside Washington, D.C., since 1800 — on the anniversary.
Thursday’s event will not be a formal joint session. But members of both parties will come together in Congress Hall, the room where the legislative branch convened before relocating to Washington.
First, they’ll proceed into the room with lawmakers from the original 13 states entering first, Boyle said in an interview with the Washington-based streaming network 535. Lawmakers will also tour the Liberty Bell and the time capsule set to be buried on July 4, Boyle said.
“It’s no secret that our politics are more polarized today than at any moment in our lifetime. The way the House has been operating in recent years completely reflects that,” Boyle told The Inquirer in a recent interview. “So for us as members of Congress from both parties to come together, put partisanship aside and focus on national unity, I think that’s something that is incredibly positive.”
Organizers are not publicly releasing details about the Congressional gathering, like timing or who’s expected to attend, citing security concerns.
Lightning injuries are rare, but an expert says the Parkway is an especially risky venue on July 4
In the grand casino of the atmosphere, scheduling outdoor events on July Fourth in the Philly region is almost always going to be a rolling of the bones.
And on the day Philadelphia and the rest of the national are holding a mass 250th birthday party, the odds may be dicier than usual, with thunderstorms and accompanying lightning possible Saturday afternoon and night, forecasters say.
July happens to be the peak month for lightning-bearing thunderstorms in Philadelphia, occurring every five days on average, and who doesn’t want to be outside on the Fourth?
As if record-challenging heat and an atmosphere that feels like syrup weren’t enough.
Lightning injuries and fatalities are rare — on average in the last decade, 20 people have been killed annually by lightning in the United States, according to the National Weather Service. But among outdoor events with large crowds across the country, Philly’s July Fourth concert would be among the riskiest for lightning, according to Stephen Strader, disaster specialist at Villanova University.
“It’s way up there, a lot higher than I thought it was,” he said.
Mayor Parker defends decision to host July 4th Parkway concert despite dangerous heat and high price tag
Mayor of Philadelphia Cherelle Parker speaks during a news conference about the July 4 concert.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker on Wednesday defended the city’s upcoming July Fourth concert, a seven-hour outdoor spectacle featuring performances from Christina Aguilera, Jill Scott and The Roots, amid concerns over the nearly 100-degree forecast and revelations that the event will cost taxpayers millions more than in years past.
The city has dealt with high temperatures before and has battle-tested personnel and protocols prepared for the evening, Parker told reporters at a news conference in front of the stage at the foot of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps.
She also addressed the detractors head on.
“I do not apologize to anyone about making sure that the city of Philadelphia, as the sixth largest city in the nation, the birthplace of democracy, we were going to have a celebration that is fitting to and for our historical significance and prominence,” Parker said. “One that could be seen, respected and honored not just in our city and commonwealth and nation but in the world.”
Parker described the concert as the largest July Fourth concert in the city’s history. For an occasion as momentous as the nation’s 250th anniversary in the city that bills itself the birthplace of America, Parker said Philadelphia must rise to the occasion and prove it can achieve ambitious undertakings.
Parker said her administration scaled up the experience including moving the stage back to accommodate an estimated 300,000 concertgoers, and made the stage larger.
“We won’t get a second chance to do this over again, Philadelphia,” Parker said. “We only turn 250 years old once in a lifetime.”
Think you know your news? There’s only one way to find out. Welcome back to our weekly News Quiz — a quick way to see if your reading habits are sinking in and to put your local news knowledge to the test.
Question 1 of 10
Four friends from outside the U.S. lied to their employers as part of a pact to travel to Philly for the World Cup this year. They’ll stay until the Fourth of July. In the meantime, they’ve enjoyed many Philly gems, including cheesesteaks, hoagies, Rocky, and the Eagles. Where are the four fans from?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The Frenchmen have marveled over Cheez Whiz and sports culture in Philly. But they’re not completely sure where smoking cigarettes is allowed, aren’t impressed with SEPTA and are skeptical of Uber Eats delivery robots. Still, they’d like to come back for a Birds game.
Question 2 of 10
Upsala mansion, on the border of Germantown and Mount Airy is listed for sale at $995,000 and comes with nine bedrooms, 10 fireplaces, 15 parking spaces, and a 70-page agreement that includes one particular caveat written into the home’s deed for:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Built at the end of the 18th century on the site of a major Revolutionary War battle in Philadelphia, Upsala mansion was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. As part of the home’s deed, once a year, the owner must permit “a re-enactment of portions of the Battle of Germantown” on their front lawn.
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Question 3 of 10
Oh, Mary!, the wacky and irreverent Tony Award-winning play about first lady Mary Todd Lincoln, will stop in Philadelphia on its first national tour next spring, and tickets go on sale this week. The play focuses on the Lincolns in the weeks leading up to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, who is called ____ in the play.
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
It’s Mary’s Husband. Written by actor/comedian Cole Escola, the dark, campy comedy first featured Escola in the role of Mary — which led them to win the 2025 Tony Award for best leading actor in a play — and has since hosted special guest stars like Maya Rudolph, Tituss Burgess, Jinkx Monsoon, and Jane Krakowski. The show also won the Tony for best direction of a play and was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist.
Question 4 of 10
Camden, New Jersey’s latest viral dance that has earned over a million fans across the world. What’s it called?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Starting out on the basketball courts of Camden High School, the Camden Bop is a love letter to the city that’s often considered New Jersey’s most dangerous.
Question 5 of 10
Ronnie Gunter, a lacrosse player and recent Drexel graduate, made his TV debut Monday night on Love Island USA. But in 2024, Gunter went viral on TikTok for his resemblance to this public figure:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Two years ago, in a TikTok reshared by accounts including ESPN, Gunter’s then-girlfriend said he’d get mistaken for Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts “everywhere we go.” Gunter told The Inquirer at the time that the comparisons started coming around his sophomore year — along with stares and photo requests — but he welcomed the attention for the most part.
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Philadelphia's Blacktronika festival celebrates the artists and albums that helped shape Black electronic and futuristic music traditions. One featured event pays tribute to a landmark recording from a Philadelphia music legend. Which influential musician's album "Life on Mars" is included in the programming?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Musical trailblazer Dexter Wansel was scheduled to join a Philly all-star band with Black Buttafly on keys, Anthony Tidd on bass, Tim Motzer on guitar, Elliot Levin on sax, and singers Lady Alma and Tonja Dixon. Poet Ursula Rucker was also on the bill. Wansel died last month at 75, so the inaugural Blacktronika Icon Award will be presented posthumously to his son, producer Pop Wansel. Black Music Month founder Dyana Williams will host.
Question 7 of 10
This popular food vendor will operate permanently at Triple Bottom Brewing:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Triple Bottom owners Tess Hart and her husband, Bill Popwell, announced South Philly Barbacoa as their new permanent food vendor for the Spring Garden brewery. The South Philly Barbacoa menu at Triple Bottom features most of the same items found at its South Philly location inside Casa Mexico, where South Philly Barbacoa still operates.
Question 8 of 10
Mama-Tees, the community fridges around town notable for their bright yellow paint jobs, is selling flavor-infused olive oils as part of a fundraiser to combat food insecurity locally. There’s a basil oil, truffle oil, pepper oil, and this unique addition:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
It’s cheesesteak oil and it retails for $19. A survey of food reporters and local chefs had varying opinions on it. It can be purchased at Wegmans in King of Prussia, with other locations coming soon.
Question 9 of 10
Unsurprisingly, the Philly cheesesteak ranked high among World Cup tourists on a new survey about host city foods travelers looked forward to trying. What food landed in first place on the list?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Guadalajara’s torta ahogada landed in first place, but the Philly cheesesteak snagged the No. 5 position, beating out a New York slice significantly.
Question 10 of 10
Who was a guest bartender at Jason and Kylie Kelce’s sixth annual Sea Isle fundraiser, Shore Birds, this week?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
United States Women’s rugby player Ilona Maher made her bartending debut, also serving Jello shots with the event’s matriarch, Donna Kelce. Maher was also on Team Kelce for a round of flip cup, working with both Jason and Kylie Kelce and Beau Allen to secure the win.
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Sporting orange swim trunks and not much else, Gunter was one of 12 new men who entered the show on episode 18 of Love Island USA.
It’s all part of Casa Amor, the mid-season twist where OG contestants split off into two villas and are forced to explore new connections. Gunter, 25, was one of a dozen men and six women who’ve been introduced to the show in the last two nights.
He was also one of the men chosen to stay: Those 12 men were quickly cut to six in the same episode.
Proving Philly is the center of the universe — even on a remote Fijian island and even at Casa Amor, Gunter was quick to tell North Philly native Melanie Moreno that he went to Drexel.
In a prior episode, Moreno, 24, told her most consistent connection, Sincere Rhea — who’s from Cape May — that her dream first date for them would be to walk through Penn’s Landing.
But with Rhea away at the other villa with new arm candy and the OG women forced to explore connections with their own new crop of islanders, Gunter stood out.
He chose to kiss both Moreno and Jen Terry as part of a challenge and later won the women over by talking about family life and his cooking chops.
“I want my wife sipping red wine on the countertop while I’m cooking,” he said. “I love to chef. Y’all will never go hungry with me around.”
While attending college in Philly, where he majored in sports studies, Gunter achieved virality for his likeness to Hurts.
Two years ago, in a TikTok reshared by accounts including ESPN, Gunter’s then-girlfriend (now-former Division I golfer and prominent sports broadcaster and social media personality Emma Carpenter) said he’d get mistaken for Hurts “everywhere we go.”
Gunter told The Inquirer at the time that the comparisons started coming around his sophomore year — along with stares and photo requests — but he welcomed the attention for the most part.
“I think it’s funny. And I mean, he’s not a bad guy to be compared to,” he said. “It’s an awesome comparison to be mistaken for that guy.”
Even Drexel’s Lacrosse program got in on the fun, posting on Instagram in 2023: “All we’re saying is that we’ve never seen @_ronniegunter and @jalenhurts together.”
Born and raised in Minnesota before heading Northeast for school, Gunter lives in New York these days, where he works as a program director for the nonprofit Harlem Lacrosse.
So far, no one on Love Island has made any comments about Gunter’s resemblance to Hurts. But there’s a lot more island time to play out.
Think you know your news? There’s only one way to find out. Welcome back to our weekly News Quiz — a quick way to see if your reading habits are sinking in and to put your local news knowledge to the test.
Question 1 of 10
A rowhome hosting the only collaborative Keith Haring mural that still stands in its original location is up for rent. What neighborhood is it located in?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
On the corner of 22nd and Ellsworth Streets in Point Breeze, We The Youth stands on the facade of a 1,797-square-foot, three-story rowhouse that's up for rent. Its location was important to Haring. He didn’t want it to be somewhere too upscale or trendy, according to collaborators.
Question 2 of 10
Roxanne, the Michelin-recognized restaurant that an Inquirer report revealed lacked a restaurant license, has reopened. What new features does it have?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
With a license to operate and passed health inspection, Roxanne’s reopening comes with several new features, including a BYOB format and a lunch menu.
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Question 3 of 10
Philly’s Cathedral Basilica is the canvas for a new immersive light show. "Luminiscence" will bring the interior walls of the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul to life through August with a light show set to classical music. Philadelphia is only the second U.S. city to host a production. Which city was the first?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
“Luminiscence” events — which are specifically designed for cathedrals and basilicas — began in France. Philadelphia is only the second U.S. city to host a production. The first was held at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis last year.
Question 4 of 10
A free giveaway item at FIFA Fan Festivals nationwide, including Philadelphia’s, has gone viral and is drawing hours-long lines. What is the giveaway item?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Mimicking a Pandora bracelet, Bank of America’s free Fan Bands are composed of a red, blue, or black woven band and an assortment of five metal beads that lace through. Available beads include numbers, flags, a FIFA World Cup trophy, and several city-specific designs that pair with World Cup host cities. The Fan Bands have prompted extremely long lines each day of Fan Fest.
Question 5 of 10
Royal Sushi & Izakaya Chef Jesse Ito was one of two Philaelphia-based James Beard Award recipients this week. Ito won for Best Chef, a title he said has been “a long ride.” Ito has been up for the award before. How many times was he nominated in total?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The chef behind the Queen Village omakase counter and its more casual bar and restaurant has been nominated nine times for the award, which honors the top culinary talent across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington. This go-around, Ito beat out two-time finalist Amanda Shulman — whose Her Place Supper Club earned one of Philly’s first Michelin stars last year — and Omar Tate and Cybille St.Aude-Tate of Honeysuckle, who transformed their cafe-market into a Michelin-recommended prix fixe restaurant in 2025.
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This big chain is implementing its own delivery drones across Philadelphia in an effort to battle with Amazon:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Wing, the first company to offer commercial drone delivery to homes in the United States, announced this week that it will expand its partnership with Walmart to bring drone service to seven new cities, including the City of Brotherly Love, sometime in 2027. It’s the latest chapter in a high-speed delivery war between Walmart and Amazon.
Question 7 of 10
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard has added a new limited-edition flavor to its summer menu. It’s called ‘mermaid’ and is only available for about a month. What’s one of its primary ingredients?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Mermaid Italian Ice is a vibrant pink flavor that combines berry and marshmallow and comes topped with glitter. The Bensalem-born water ice purveyor is offering the flavor at all 600 Rita’s locations nationwide until Sunday, July 19.
Question 8 of 10
It’s believed this one gesture destined Ecuador to lose on Sunday against Ivory Coast in the FIFA World Cup game played in Philadelphia:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Despite warnings throughout the day, Ecuador fans dressed the Rocky statue in a jersey and team flag, perhaps plaguing the team to a loss out of their control. The “Rocky statue curse” is a famous jinx that comes into effect when a team’s fans dress the boxer in an opposing team’s gear. Ecuador fans could be seen Monday leaving Rocky offerings in an attempt to reverse the curse. Brazil fans and Pennsylvania’s tourism office have also issued warnings about the curse.
Question 9 of 10
The Stonewall Riots in 1969 became a watershed moment in the fight for queer rights. But four years earlier, LGBTQ activists gathered at this Philadelphia spot for the first Remembrance March:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
On July 4, 1965, gay activists Frank Kameny, of Washington, D.C., Craig Rodwell, of New York, and Barbara Gittings, of Philadelphia, gathered 40 of their LGBTQ brethren in front of Independence Hall to demand equality. Held four years before the Stonewall Uprising in 1969, the march made history as the country’s first gay rights demonstration. That 1965 march became an annual protest, now known as the Remembrance March.
Question 10 of 10
A federal court reached a ruling this week involving exhibits at the President's House Site, which has been at the center of a court dispute regarding which agency controls the content the public sees. The exhibits discussed in the lawsuit primarily tell the story of:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
A three-judge Third Circuit Court of Appeals panel unanimously agreed Thursday to toss out an injunction issued by a Philadelphia district court judge in February that ordered the National Park Service to restore interpretive panels telling the history of the nine individuals who were enslaved by Washington at the President’s House. The judges further found that the federal government’s proposed replacement panels, which historians say whitewash Washington’s role in slavery, “are full of historical context.”
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Spotify is reading you for filth again, and it’s not even December yet.
In honor of the streaming service’s 20th anniversary, it’s ready to embarrass you with 20 years’ worth of listening history — or as many years as you’ve used the app.
The streaming platform dropped Spotify 20 on Tuesday, a feature that lets users look back at their time on the app in a digestible, data-forward and visually aesthetic way.
It’s kind of like Spotify Wrapped — the popular annual wrap-up — but it sums up decades of users’ ever-evolving music tastes instead of just one calendar year.
“Spotify 20: Your Party of the Year(s) … gives you a playful, nostalgia-driven look back at your music listening history,” the platform said in a statement. “It reveals the moments that have defined your time with us through never-before-shared data.”
The feature is only available via Spotify’s mobile app and concludes with a playlist (that’s also desktop-friendly) of your top 120 tracks.
The wrap-up also tells you: your first day on Spotify, the total number of songs you’ve streamed, the first song you listened to on Spotify, and your all-time most-streamed artist.
Taylor Swift performs during the first of three Eras Tour performances at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Friday, May 12, 2023. .
In addition to personal stats, Spotify crunched the numbers for all its users’ listening history over the last two decades. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the most-streamed artist across the board over the last 20 years was none other than Berks County native Taylor Swift. The most-streamed song over 20 years was “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd.
Hilariously, Spotify 20 was a surprise to the general public, meaning users couldn’t try to intentionally manipulate their results the way they do with Wrapped. That said, this is your warning that you have about six months and change until Spotify Wrapped 2026 drops.
If you’d like to try the Spotify 20 feature yourself, click the prompt within the app or visit spotify.com/20 and scan the QR code with your phone.
