Are you looking for a little extra boom and bang to celebrate the upcoming holiday week? During the next eight days, an unusual convergence of Independence Day festivities are just a stroll away. It all began last Friday when the city of Philadelphia sponsored a kickoff parade at noon. The fanfare continued throughout the day as thousands of citizens took advantage of the free admission to all cultural buildings along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. A laser and firework presentation that night gave a small taste of what the Sunoco 'Welcome America!' pyrotechnics might be like later this weekend. The rest of the weekend was packed with craft shows, food festivals and dance contests. There was definitely an activity for everyone -- and the days to come feature even more activities. Art lovers continue to visit the Cezanne exhibit, while firework lovers are sure to camp out downtown on Wednesday and Thursday. On Thursday the City of Philadelphia's Official Fourth of July ceremony and presentation of the Liberty Medal will be the center attraction. University President Emeritus Martin Meyerson is one of the 15 people on the worldwide committee who selected the medal recipients. At 10 a.m. by Independence Hall, Mayor Rendell will honor Shimon Peres of Israel and, in absentia, King Hussein of Jordan with Liberty Medals. Throughout the holiday, there will be several free tours of the historical district. Music lovers can take in violins at the New Jersey State Aquarium on Tuesday night, have fun with Little Richard at Penn's Landing on Wednesday night, and listen to Patti LaBelle at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the evening of the Fourth. And thousands of baseball-diamond fans will gather for America's favorite pastime during FanFest on July 5-9 and the All-Star Game on July 9. The numerous activities are predicted to attract visitors from all over the country -- and they will all be eating in Philadelphia restaurants, causing traffic jams and cramming into hotel rooms. "When you have to say, 'excuse me,' while walking down a Center City street in the summer, you know something is happening," said Nancy Gold, president of the Center City Proprietors Association, said in a statement released to the press. "Used to be you could throw a bowling ball down the street and not hit anybody." Throughout the entire celebration, an estimated 3 million visitors will join in the festivities. The Convention Center is acting as the headquarters of all activities. Representatives from the city are meeting and greeting tourists, handing out brochures, and answering thousands of questions. For a daily schedule of events, check online or call 636-3300. "This is the most elaborate Independence Day ever," Rendell announced at a recent press conference. "And hopefully it will also be the best celebration."
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