Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

Art lovers, garden enthusiasts, film connoisseurs and sports fans keep coming back year after year for festivals, sporting events, art shows, parades and cultural events in Philadelphia. Here’s what’s going on in the region in 2010*:

January:

• Thousands of decorative strutters kick off the New Year by marching up

Art lovers, garden enthusiasts, film connoisseurs and sports fans keep coming back year after year for festivals, sporting events, art shows, parades and cultural events in Philadelphia. Here’s what’s going on in the region in 2009:

January 2009:

• Thousands of decorative strutters kick off the New Year by marching

In Historic Philadelphia, some of the country’s most significant historic sites—many of which are free or low-cost, perfect for families and educational for all—share the neighborhood with trendy shops, modern restaurants and buzzing nightclubs. Affordable hotel packages with free parking and transportation options, including 50% off Amtrak, make a good

When Philadelphia throws a birthday party, everyone catches the spirit—especially leading up to and during Fourth of July weekend. In addition to the many free events that are part of the city’s annual Sunoco Welcome America! celebration, the region is jamming with dozens of events and festivals that celebrate our

The following itinerary is available on gophila.com.

LOCATION: Historic Philadelphia, Centennial District, Bucks County, Kennett Square and Camden, New Jersey

TRANSPORTATION: Foot, taxi, bus or car

DURATION: Four days and four nights

This summer, forgo the same old family vacation in favor of a fun and—dare we say—educational trip

NOTE: Click here for the Sunoco Welcome America! media credential form.

This is a Sunoco Welcome America! press release.

Spirited summer family fun in Philadelphia keeps marching on with the annual Sunoco Welcome America! festival. Visitors to the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection will be treated to two

This summer, Historic Philadelphia is home to brand-new attractions, activities and events, including the provocative new exhibition at The African American Museum in Philadelphia, Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia, 1776-1876. After undergoing an extensive renovation, the city’s premier African-American museum will unveil its stunning permanent display on Juneteenth

Thanks in part to the popularity of TV shows like The Amazing Race and movies like National Treasure (filmed partially in Philadelphia) that send people around the world on the search for clues, prizes and hidden treasures, Philadelphia attractions are mapping out creative ways to help visitors get to know

NOTE: Click here for the Sunoco Welcome America! media credential form.

Two weekends of patriotic summer fun add up to one big party when Philadelphia welcomes residents and visitors for the 17^th annual Sunoco Welcome America! festival, celebrating the nation’s birthday in its birthplace. For two weekends, June 26-28

Summer 2009 in Philadelphia is gearing up to be festive, affordable and full of family-friendly fun. New exhibitions and attractions indoors and out let visitors explore the stars, walk along the treetops, frolic in cooling waters and come face-to-face with historic figures. Free activities, including mural tours, historic storytelling and

Philadelphia is heating up this spring with some of the East Coast’s hottest gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender (GLBT) events. Festivities swing into high gear with the first-ever Philadelphia GLBT Artists Festival, the 10^th anniversary of Philadelphia Black Gay Pride and the second annual Liberty Stampede Rodeo. Throughout the

The Calendar of Events is organized as follows:

November 2009
December 2009
January 2010
February 2010
March 2010
April 2010
May 2010
June 2010
July 2010
August 2010
September 2010
October 2010
Ongoing Activities

NOVEMBER 2009

Through November 1, 2009
HAUNTED POE. This theatrical work unites literature, history and theater

When it comes to celebrating America’s birthday, Philly does July 4 like nowhere else. A highlight this year will be the real-life wedding of two re-enactors who portray Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross. The couple will be married in front of Independence Hall with Mayor Michael A. Nutter officiating and

Fireworks:

• Each minute of a fireworks show takes approximately one hour to choreograph.
• Zambelli pyrotechnicians will spend approximately 350-400 hours on-site producing Sunoco Welcome America!’s fireworks shows on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and at Penn’s Landing.

The Wedding: Benjamin Franklin & Betsy Ross (Ralph & Linda):

• Ralph Archbold

Philly’s own Boyz II Men formed in 1988 while the Boyz were students at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts. Today, the Boyz are all grown up and sounding as good as ever.

With Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman and Wanya Morris (no relation to Nathan) trading

In 2004, John Legend made the leap from all-star studio session man to headlining singer/songwriter/pianist/performer with his debut album Get Lifted. Driven in part by the hit singles Ordinary People and Used To Love U, Get Lifted was a critical and commercial triumph, earning Legend an astounding eight Grammy nominations.

Sunday, July 6, 2008:

11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Taste of Philadelphia
Hungry visitors can nosh their way through the weekend at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, sampling cuisine from some of the city’s finest restaurants. Traditional picnic foods like burgers, corn on the cob and other Independence Day favorites

Saturday, July 5, 2008:

10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Journey to the Center of the Earth
Lucky contest winners can attend a pre-release screening of this classic’s remake. On a special trip to Iceland, a scientist (Brendan Fraser) and his nephew get trapped in a cave. They soon discover

Friday, July 4, 2008:

10:00-11:00 a.m.
Independence Day Ceremony
Philadelphia’s annual commemoration of American independence is bigger and better this year on Independence Mall. Among other program items, Mayor Michael A. Nutter will be on hand to acknowledge the achievements of the Best of the Class, graduating high school

Thursday, July 3, 2008:

11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Go 4^th & Learn
Kids can time-travel through more than 300 years of Philadelphia history as a historian brings out artifacts and guides them along the world’s largest map of the city at the Atwater Kent Museum. Each child who attends

Wednesday, July 2, 2008:

10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Go 4^th & Learn
Kids explore the world of possibilities through storytelling, crafts and interactive performances at the Abbosford Community Center. Each child attending will receive a gift bag with a book and other goodies. 3226 McMichael Street, East Falls

2:00

Tuesday, July 1, 2008:

10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Go 4^th & Learn
Storytellers give kids get the scoop on Ben Franklin while they enjoy the interactive movie What’s the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? at the Free Library of Philadelphia. Each child attending will receive a gift bag with a

Monday, June 30, 2008:

10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Go 4^th & Learn
Kids won’t know what to do first at City Hall’s Dilworth Plaza—climb inside the helicopter, talk with William Penn or paint the colorful monster mural. Every child participating will receive a gift bag with a book

Sunday, June 29, 2008:

10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Go 4^th & Learn
At Franklin Square, kids can romp around, play games and hear professional storytellers regale them with entertaining stories about America’s past. Each child attending will receive a gift bag with a book and other goodies. Afterwards, parents

Saturday, June 28, 2008:

11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Go 4th & Learn
Kids play with musical instruments and learn how to scat jazz from Scat Cat at World Cafe Live. Every child participating will receive a gift bag with a book and other goodies. 3025 Walnut Street, (215) 222-1400

2:00-6:00

Whoever said less is more sure wasn’t thinking about Fourth of July in Philadelphia and The Countryside®. When it comes to celebrating America’s birthday, America’s birthplace knows that more is better. In addition to the many free events that are part of the Sunoco Welcome America! celebration, the region is

Aspiring artists can join local police officers to make their mark on Philadelphia during a giant Cops & Kids paint-in, Wednesday, July 2, 2008, 3:00-5:00 p.m. The event is part of Sunoco Welcome America!, Philadelphia’s nine-day Fourth of July festival, running June 28 through July 6.

Budding Picassos can demonstrate

Philadelphia’s nine-day Fourth of July festival, Sunoco Welcome America!, gets underway on a joyful note when Saturday Night Alive!, presented by Independence Blue Cross and co-sponsored by WDAS-FM and the CW PHILLY, hosts live gospel performances and film on the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing on Saturday, June 28, 2008,

Step right up and watch some of the world’s strongest men dazzle with their amazing feats of strength. The Strongman Competition brings together a fierce line-up of strength competitors from around the nation for one of the kick-off events for Sunoco Welcome America!, a nine-day festival of activities celebrating America’s

Start with the anniversary of America’s birthday. Add in some of Philadelphia’s renowned and emerging performing and visual artists. Put them all together in a block party setting, and the result is Wednesday Night Out presented by the Philadelphia International Airport, a highlight of Sunoco Welcome America!’s Fourth of July

Sunoco Welcome America!, Philadelphia’s nine-day festival celebrating America’s birthday from June 28 through July 6, 2008, is throwing a Fiesta on the Parkway, featuring Latino music, dance, arts, culture, food and more. The event will spice up the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Thursday, July 3, 2:00-8:30 p.m.

The fun-filled fiesta

The Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival returns to Penn’s Landing as part of Sunoco Welcome America!, Philadelphia’s nine-day festival celebrating America’s birthday, from June 28 through July 6, 2008. The ice cream extravaganza will take place at Walnut Street and Columbus Boulevard from Friday, July 4 through Sunday, July

Some of the city’s best chefs are bringing their culinary talents to the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street, for A Taste of Philadelphia, an opportunity to feast on fine cuisine at fast food prices. The event, a joint production of Sunoco Welcome America! and the

After Fourth of July’s commemorative ceremonies on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, revelers can make their way over to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 2:00 p.m. for Party on the Parkway, one of many events that make up Sunoco Welcome America!’s nine-day festival celebrating America’s birthday, June 28 through July 6,

Cue the 76 trombones. It’s time for the Southwest Airlines July 4^th Parade, an entertaining tribute to Philadelphia that displays how this “City of Firsts” lives, works, plays and celebrates. The parade, which will lead into a free concert by John Legend and a spectacular fireworks display, is a

The best place to celebrate America’s birthday is the place where it all started 232 years ago—at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. On Friday, July 4, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., Mayor Michael A. Nutter will lead the city’s Independence Day Ceremony, a commemorative event that pays tribute to the 18^th-century

Some things just belong together—like picnics, the Philly POPS and Independence Day. They all come together on Thursday, July 3, 2008 during the POPS on Independence concert, a newer tradition that has become a Sunoco Welcome America! fan favorite. The nine-day Fourth of July festival celebrates America’s birthday in America’s

This year’s Sunoco Welcome America!, Philadelphia’s nine-day festival celebrating America’s birthday, will feature not one but two spectacular, themed fireworks displays by the internationally acclaimed Zambelli Fireworks Internationale on July 4 and 5, 2008. The Independence Day show will mark the world premiere of a new patriotic anthem by Philadelphia’s

The calendar might say it is July 5, but in Philadelphia the Independence Day celebration continues all weekend with even more Sunoco Welcome America!, a nine-day festival celebrating America’s birthday. The action moves to the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing where Boyz II Men, Philly’s own hometown music heroes and

He’s hot, he’s a hit-maker, and he’s headlining the Sunoco Welcome America! Sunoco Sweet Sounds of Liberty Concert & Fireworks extravaganza on July 4, 2008. John Legend, the University of Pennsylvania graduate and five-time Grammy Award winner, will cap off the Southwest July 4th Parade with a free concert on

Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross are getting married, and it’s happening in Philadelphia. In reality, Ralph Archbold, the city’s nationally recognized Ben Franklin re-enactor, fell in love with Linda Wilde, who often portrays Betsy Ross, and they decided to get married. The couple will exchange vows in a public ceremony

The nation’s birthplace is still the best place to celebrate America’s birthday. Sunoco Welcome America!, Philadelphia’s nine-day marathon of Independence Day events, kicks off on Saturday, June 28 and continues through Sunday, July 6, 2008. In between, each day is jam-packed with films, food, dancing, a parade, patriotic ceremonies and

Some of Hollywood’s biggest hits will be shown inside, outside and all around the town when Philly @ the Movies returns as part of the nine-day Sunoco Welcome America! Fourth of July festival, June 28 through July 6, 2008. The series of free flicks—two of which were filmed in the

School is out, but kids can Go 4^th & Learn during Sunoco Welcome America!, Philadelphia’s nine-day festival celebrating America’s birthday in America’s birthplace, Saturday, June 28 through Sunday, July 6, 2008. The fun, two-hour programs weave together interactive games, musical performances, storytelling and cultural activities, and each child who

Philly’s always “more fun when you sleep over,” but it will be especially fun this summer as the city packs the warm-weather months with a host of blockbuster events, including the return of Cirque du Soleil, a brand new installation at the Philadelphia Zoo and America’s birthday celebration on the

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) announced a $2 million summer marketing campaign to promote Philadelphia and The Countryside® to travelers seeking history, fun and affordability. On June 1, the tourism organization will debut new Philly’s More Fun™ and Historic Philadelphia advertising campaigns, emphasizing a variety of summer experiences

Responding to a national trend that has consumers watching their dollars, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation announces the availability of three affordable hotel packages for the busy summer travel season. The Philly’s More Summer Fun Hotel Package pairs a hotel stay with a $50 gift card from American Express,

This is a Tyler Arboretum press release.

Totally Terrific Treehouses, an exhibit of one-of-a-kind tree houses designed and built by local architects, landscape architects, builders, schools, and artists, is on display May 31 to September 28 at Tyler Arboretum near Media, PA.

Sixteen imaginative structures created by local artisans make

Revelers in town for Sunoco Welcome America!, Philadelphia’s annual Independence Day celebration, can enjoy two evenings of free concerts during the festival, which runs from Saturday, June 28 through Sunday, July 6. Five-time Grammy winner John Legend will take the outdoor stage at the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of

Visitors from the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) community are in for a treat this spring and summer as Philadelphia makes way for a series of new and annual LGBT events. In May, the city hosts two major sporting events—the Liberty Stampede Rodeo and the Liberty Bell Classic—for

Summer in Philadelphia has long been the ideal time to celebrate our nation’s independence. This year, visitors can also learn about the tales of real pirates, gaze at contemporary American artwork, watch potential Olympic gymnasts in action, take the Presidential Oath of Office and experience other annual events that make

Throughout the year, Historic Philadelphia is a lively destination where visitors shop, dine and delve into America’s past. But from Saturday, June 28 through Sunday, July 6, the neighborhood where our nation was founded is transformed into celebration central for Sunoco Welcome America!, the city’s annual nine-day marathon celebrating America’s

Presidential politics have been simmering in Philadelphia since George Washington’s Executive Mansion was here in the 1790s. And, in 2008, as the race among Senators John McCain, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama heats up, the city offers a unique mix of presidential happenings that are affordable, educational and fun. After

Historic Philadelphia is home to many of the most significant historic sites in the country. From the original Independence Hall to the modern National Constitution Center, each place plays a pivotal role in telling the city’s—and the nation’s—story. Here is just a sampling of the don’t-miss attractions found here:

American

This year, Philadelphia will be more amusing than ever, with the addition of a couple familiar names to the popular Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel at Franklin Square, the debut of a Muppet-go-round at Sesame Place and the restoration of an 100-year-old carousel at the new Please Touch Museum. Here’s what’s

Gay and lesbian travelers looking to extend their summer fun into autumn need look no further than Philadelphia in 2009 and beyond. With a handful of new restaurants, bars, clubs, events and hotels to complement Philadelphia’s cherished and historical gay-friendly heritage, Philadelphia is the place to Get Your History Straight

Openings:

• Please Touch Museum and Centennial District – When it opens on October 18, 2008, the children’s museum’s new location in Fairmount Park’s Memorial Hall—a National Historic Landmark built in 1876 for the Centennial Exhibition—will boast three times more space for exhibitions and programs. Just outside the museum,

After exploring the Galileo, the Medici and the Age of Astronomy exhibition, appearing only in Philadelphia, only in 2009 (April 4 through September 7, 2009 at The Franklin Institute Science Museum), visitors are encouraged to spend a night or two and enjoy other exhibitions and events in the region.

Visitors to Historic Philadelphia will find countless options for exploring Historic Philadelphia and its connections to the nation’s early history—whether it’s by land, by sea, by bus or by foot. Early risers can spend the day exploring every inch of America’s most historic square mile, and night owls can do

As daylight turns to twilight, Historic Philadelphia turns hip and happening with after-hours fun for the under-21 and over-21 sets. From early evening until the wee, small hours, the area situated between Front and 7^th Streets and Race and Spruce Streets buzzes with family-friendly evening fun and sizzles with

Restaurants/Cafes:

• 10 Arts by Eric Ripert – In this intimate space located inside the glitzy Ritz-Carlton, Chef Eric Ripert presents American cuisine with an emphasis on organic, locally grown ingredients. 10 S. Broad Street, (215) 523-8000, ritzcarlton.com/hotels/philadelphia
• Bindi – Guests enjoy the spices and full flavors of traditional Indian

DONNA SCHORR, a young-at-heart Baby Boomer
Director of Communications

Yes, I take a train ride to the city every day, and at this age, I’m no expert on late night clubbing. But I’ve lived in or near Philly for decades (never mind how many), and I can tell you a

Historical Sites And Attractions:

• Wannabe sailors can spend the night in the nation’s most decorated battleship, the Battleship New Jersey, and take tours of the officers’ and crew’s mess halls, communications center and high-tech command center. 62 Battleship Place, Camden, (856) 877-6262, battleshipnewjersey.org
• The nation’s most famous seamstress, credited

Eat And Drink Your Way Through Philadelphia:

1. It’s hard to say whether kids or adults have more fun at the fudge-and-candy parties at Betty’s Speakeasy. Large or intimate groups can schedule time to cut fudge, make candy, decorate cookies and gobble them up at the end of the party.

Gay and lesbian travelers eager to get their “history straight” and “nightlife gay” will find an eclectic mix of fun and fabulous happenings in Philadelphia and The Countryside® throughout the year. Dance parties, drag shows, pride parades and cultural events are among the offerings for gay travelers in 2009. Here’s

New Year’s Eve is a night for revelry and romance, and Philadelphia offers plenty of great hotel packages at great rates for those looking to extend their night into the early hours. Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation has compiled a list of hotels that are ringing in 2009 with value-added

Families visiting the brand-new $88 million Please Touch Museum®, opening October 18, 2008, at Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park, can book the Play & Stay Hotel Package, which includes tickets to the children’s museum and free hotel and museum parking. Here are the details of this special package:

PACKAGE AVAILABILITY

Journalists are taking notice of Philadelphia as a hot urban destination, as evidenced by the many accolades bestowed on the city in September and October 2008. Here’s a look at what some national magazines and a Web site had to say:

• Business Facilities chose Philadelphia as one of seven destinations

AMBLER
Residents describe Ambler as a town where even visitors feel a sense of place. It’s a “real town” where locals and out-of-towners join together to enjoy professional theater and independent film, to admire art displayed in the storefront of a refurbished Art Deco building and to partake in a

MEDIA
Self-designated as the first fair trade town in the country, Media is also the last suburban town in the nation to run a trolley through its downtown. Residents call Media “Everybody’s Hometown” because the town’s friendliness welcomes all visitors. Brick sidewalks and tree-shaded streets encourage walking to the centrally

WEST CHESTER
Chester County’s seat of government is a tree-lined and welcoming city where a stately historic courthouse dominates the skyline; West Chester University students populate the shops, bars and noodle houses; and the popularity of the skateboarding culture (plus the presence of hometown celebrity prankster Bam Margera) draws enthusiasts

NEW HOPE
New Hope, Pennsylvania, the popular riverside artist colony recently named as one of the “Top 25 Art Destinations in the Country” by American Style Magazine, offers eclectic charm comfortably offset by casual sophistication. Peppered with bed & breakfasts, galleries, historical attractions, restaurants and nightlife along Main Street and

uwishunu.com, Philly’s new insider blog providing the real deal from real Philadelphians on eating, drinking, music, culture and more, is offering travelers a new way to stay overnight in the city. Thirteen hotels have signed up to offer the new hotel experience, called Philly Like A Local, now bookable on

Gay nightlife in Philadelphia isn’t all about the men. Lesbian travelers have a vibrant scene all their own with Sisters Nightclub, a seven-days-a-week women’s bar, and themed parties at an array of venues each week. There’s a place in Philadelphia for all kinds of lesbians, from the artist to the

Gay nightlife in Philadelphia isn’t all about the men. Lesbian travelers have a vibrant scene all their own with Sisters Nightclub, a seven-days-a-week women’s bar, and themed parties at an array of venues each week. There’s a place in Philadelphia for all kinds of lesbians, from the artist to

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) today announced what’s new with uwishunu® (as in "you wish you knew"), including new advertising creative, three new Web TV series, an enhanced Philly Like A Local hotel package and additional partnerships. Funded by the City of Philadelphia, uwishunu is a $5 million

On the heels of a successful first year, uwishunu®, a two-year marketing initiative promoting Philly primarily through new media and Web 2.0 tools, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) is responding to the uwishunu.com audience’s interest in original content with the debut of three new Web video

Philadelphia is well known as a top-notch casual destination—think Eagles games, cheesesteaks and the vibrant art and music scene—but those looking for an upscale night on the town will find plenty of possibilities for fun. The city is filled with glamorous nightlife options that offer locals and visitors alike the

The Philly Like A Local hotel package, one component of a program designed to provide the real deal from real Philadelphians on eating, drinking, music and culture, proved to be a success in year one, generating 1,332 room nights in its first 10 months and an estimated income of $475,000