July 3, 2015

Eight days of family friendly events wrap up Saturday as the finale is set for Wawa Welcome America. July 4th will be considered grand as Philadelphia will feature events beginning at 10 am as the Celebration of Freedom ceremony at Independence Hall leads into the Independence Day Parade. From 1 -2 pm there’s America’s Birthday Party and the Let Freedom Ring ceremony at 6th and Market at the Independence Visitor’s Center and Independence National Historic Park. But, beginning at noon, the Parkway takes over. The Party on the Parkway goes until 7 pm when the Philly 4th of July Jam begins featuring America’s house band The Roots begins. A world class fireworks grand finale wraps up the daylong celebration at Eakins Oval.

Here is information to help you navigate the events and stay informed:

-Sign up. ReadyPhiladelphia emergency text and email alerts from the Office of Emergency Management help you stay on top of everything from weather issues to emergency information you need to be aware of.  Go to www.phila.gov/ready and click on “Sign Up For Alerts”

-Location markers. Meeting friends or need help on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway? Look for the lettered and numbered metal reflective signs on poles from the concert stage to 20th Street. They are posted along the Parkway to clearly and easily identify a location or section by letter and number, such as K-1.When you dial 911, the dispatcher will ask you for the nearest grid sign.

-Follow us.  Office of Emergency Management on Twitter for updates: @PhilaOEM

-Keep Kids Safe. Be sure to talk to children about safety before you go to the Parkway. Don’t let them wander alone. Make sure they understand it is important to stick close to you and your family. Consider putting your name and phone number in their pockets.

-If You Get Separated from Family and Friends. When you get to the festivities, choose a place to meet in case you get separated. Consider meeting up at or near a location marker or other familiar landmark. Make sure everyone in your group knows the meeting place. Take pictures when you get to the event with your mobile phone so you have photos of how everyone is dressed and what they look like. If you get separated, let family and friends in your group know you are safe and your location by using Facebook. Go to the tent at 23rd Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on the north side if you still cannot locate children or other family members and friends.

-Lost and Found (unsuspicious). Take items to various Information Tents along the Parkway.

–Information Booths and an EMS First Aid Station. These are on the north side of 22nd Street and the Parkway. The EMS First Aid Station has a misting tent for heat exhaustion.

 -Stay Hydrated. Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages during hot summer events. They don’t really help you keep hydrated. Drink plenty of water instead.

 -Prepare for the Weather – Bring an Umbrella and Rain Slicker. 

Independence Day:  *updated 8:30am July 4th*     National Weather Service reports possibility of showers between 10 am and 3pm. Cloudy after 3 pm. Daytime temperatures in mid-70’s. Temperatures drop slightly into the 60’s during the concert and fireworks. No concern for lightning.

Lightning: What You Need to Know- If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you.

Remember the 30/30 Lightning Safety Rule: Go indoors if, after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder. When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter. Clear the parkway if officials tell you to leave due to lightning.

-Driving? Check out Philadelphia Parking Authority tips to find parking: http://www.philapark.org/

-Mass transit? www.septa.org

-Road closures for the 4th were posted by the city’s Managing Director’s Office:  

Saturday, July 4 – Celebration of Freedom Ceremony and Parade in Independence Mall area • Chestnut Street, between 5th and 6th streets, will be closed to vehicular traffic, from 9:30 a.m. on July 3rd through Saturday, July 4th at 5 p.m. • The following closures will be in effect related to the parade (all times are approximate): – From 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Chestnut Street, 5th to Front streets; 3rd Street, from Chestnut to Walnut streets, and on 4th Street, from Market to Chestnut streets. – From 10:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Chestnut Street, from 6th to 9th streets; 9th Street, from Chestnut to Market streets and Market Street, from 9th to Front streets; 5th Street, from Arch to Walnut streets; 4th Street, from Arch to Walnut streets; 3rd Street, from Walnut to Arch streets; 8th Street, from Arch to Walnut streets; 7th Street, from Walnut to Arch streets; 6th Street, from Arch to Chestnut streets; 2nd Street, from Walnut to Arch streets; Strawberry Street, from Market to Chestnut streets, and Bank Street, from Market to Chestnut streets. – From 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Front Street, Dock Street, Arch Street and the Chestnut Street viaduct, from Front to Market streets. – The remainder of Chestnut Street and the entire parade route will be closed to vehicular traffic prior to the parade, beginning at about 10 a.m., until after the parade concludes. All streets affected by the parade will be cleaned before being re-opened to vehicular traffic. Saturday, July 4 – Philly 4th of July Jam concert & Grand Finale Fireworks in the Benjamin Franklin Parkway area • A limited-access perimeter (event participants and residents only) will be established on July 4th — from 18th Street to 25th Street — and on Race Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, from 5 a.m. to midnight. • The entire width of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be closed to vehicular traffic, from 5 a.m. to midnight. • The Parkway, from 20th to 25th streets, will be closed for extensive cleanup overnight until about 5 a.m. on Sunday, July 5th. All streets affected by the closures are scheduled to be reopened in the Parkway vicinity by 6 a.m. on Sunday, July 5th .