Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

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.

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

From his iconic life-sized portraits to compelling Jamaican landscapes, native son Barkley L. Hendricks’ works come to Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) for an exclusive fall engagement. Birth of the Cool is Hendricks’ first career retrospective, and from October 17 to January 3, art aficionados can visit

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

A major art exhibition, a Puerto Rican parade and grassroots community events are all in the works for Philadelphia’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, taking place from September 15 to October 15, 2009. Those wishing to experience the culture and charisma of the city’s large Latino community will find plenty of

As summer’s high temperatures subside and leaves turn red, orange and yellow, Philadelphia and The Countryside® welcomes autumn with special exhibitions, Halloween haunts and all-ages annual events. Princess Diana, Jim Henson, Henri Matisse, George Washington Carver and Barkley L. Hendricks lead the lineup, which also includes Body Worlds 2 at

When it comes to visiting Philadelphia, some of the best things to see and do are free—or close to it. For families and budget travelers eager to explore the region, that’s great news. Check out the city’s many low-cost or no-cost attractions, including historic Independence Hall, free student recitals at

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

This summer’s Philadelphia Quest for Freedom will feature new programs, tours and exhibitions—including the brand-new permanent exhibition at The African American Museum in Philadelphia, Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia, 1776-1876—to give visitors a more exciting and in-depth view of African-American history in Philadelphia and in the United States’

Travelers heading to Philadelphia this spring or summer will have a chance to immerse themselves in the region’s rich African-American history and culture thanks to an assortment of special events and exhibitions taking place in the city and beyond. During the course of both seasons, they can check out The

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 celebrates African-American history 365 days a year, but things really heat up in February when the region’s museums, arts and cultural organizations and historic sites recognize Black History Month. One of the highlights of the city’s 2009 celebration is sure to be America I AM: The African American Imprint,

Now Playing:
Survival Of The Fittest
The bicentennial of the birth of Charles Darwin prompted Philadelphia to name April 2008 through May 2009 the Year of Evolution. The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology leads the pack in honoring the scientist’s birthday with its innovative exhibition Surviving:

Travelers heading to Philadelphia this winter or spring will have a chance to immerse themselves in the region’s rich African-American history and culture thanks to an assortment of special events and exhibitions taking place in the city and beyond. During the course of both seasons, they can celebrate nearly 500

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

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,

The following itinerary is available on gophila.com/barkleyhendricks.

LOCATION: Historic Philadelphia, Center City and North Philadelphia

TRANSPORTATION: On foot, by taxi or car

DURATION: Two nights and two days

Note: Locations picked by Barkley and friends are indicated as such. Other places are suggestions of the tourism office.

Philly’s flavors,

Barkley Hendricks’ fans coming to Philadelphia for the hometown art legend’s first major career retrospective, Barkley L. Hendricks: Birth of the Cool, can plan their trip at gophila.com/philly360, where they’ll find exhibition details, a Barkley and Friends tour of Philadelphia, a photo slideshow, videos, hotel package offers and more.

As the first decade of the new millennium winds to a close, some of Philadelphia’s most venerated cultural and historical institutions are gearing up to spend the coming decade newly energized and outfitted for a tech-savvy, sophisticated new generation of visitors. Throughout Historic Philadelphia, Center City and Philadelphia’s countryside, tourist

It’s the time of year when visitors wander the cobblestone streets of Historic Philadelphia and ask the question, are they or aren’t they…haunted. Halloween offers lots of “Poe-tential” for literary encounters with spooky characters, as well as family-friendly ghosts and goblins who some think still inhabit the centuries-old neighborhood.

Halloween

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

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

This June, Philadelphia will celebrate Black Music Month with events and shows featuring many genres of music, including jazz, hip hop, rap and more. Started in 1979 with the help of the city’s famed songwriter and record producer Kenny Gamble, Black Music Month in Philly kicks off on June 6

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.

A full wallet is one of the countless reasons to Love Philadelphia. Some of the best things to see and do here are free—or close to it—which is great news for families and budget travelers eager to explore the region. Check out the city’s many low-cost or no-cost attractions, including

2009 is going to be a blockbuster year in Philly thanks to nine big-name events and exhibitions focusing on leaders in art, history, literature, science and beer. Two only-in-Philadelphia exhibitions—Galileo, The Medici and The Age of Astronomy at The Franklin Institute Science Museum and Cézanne and Beyond at the

Now Playing:
New $88 Million Children’s Museum
Taking kids to the Please Touch Museum® is a completely different experience since the museum moved to its new home in Fairmount Park in October 2008. Located in Memorial Hall—a National Historic Landmark built in 1876 for the Centennial Exhibition—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

This summer’s Philadelphia Quest for Freedom will feature new programs, tours and exhibitions, including Black Hands, Blue Seas at the Independence Seaport Museum and Black Founders at the Library Company of Philadelphia, exploring the story of the region’s Underground Railroad and early African American history. Now in its second year,

Due to popular demand, Disney Theatrical Productions and Kimmel Center Presents Cadillac Broadway at the Academy have extended the Philadelphia engagement of Disney’s THE LION KING through the summer of 2006 at the Academy of Music. Tickets for performances August 15 through September 10, 2006 will go on sale Sunday,

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

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

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

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

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

This summer and beyond, Philadelphia will reveal untold chapters in the nation’s history and bring new emphasis to the undertold stories of African-Americans, allowing visitors to hear a far more accurate rendition of the United States’ early years than ever before. Not only will storytellers throughout Historic Philadelphia add new

New Year’s Day is about celebrating, and there’s no better place to fete than at the Philadelphia’s Mummers Parade, a 110-year-old tradition in which 10,000 men and women dressed in colorfully lavish costumes twirl, sashay, pirouette and strut up one of the city’s main streets. An unforgettably wild ritual, the

When Gunther von Hagens’ Body Worlds 2 & The Brain makes its debut at Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute on October 17, it will be one of many points of interest for visitors eager to explore the area’s vast array of scientific treasures. The second-largest medical research and education center in the

For more than a century, the city of Philadelphia has been home to a number of prominent African-American artists who received academic training and created visual works of all media, contributing to the artistic and intellectual life of the city. Establishments like the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, art

The Christmas season really is the most wonderful time of the year in Philadelphia and The Countryside®, where families partake in old and new traditions to make happy holiday memories. Parents who remember standing in awe of the Enchanted Colonial Village at Lit Brother’s department store can take another peek

Consider yourself warned: Dracula is taking over Philadelphia this Halloween season, along with Edgar Allan Poe, a Sphinx and other thrill-ebrities who will wreak delightfully scary havoc with ghoulish events and ghostly attractions throughout the region. Dracula events range from kid-friendly treats at Sesame Place during The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular

Philadelphia is making a statement this fall with top-notch style and design events the aesthetically inclined won’t want to miss. For fashionistas, there’s the first-ever Philadelphia Fashion Week, two exhibitions at the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Perelman Building featuring the work of a who’s who of fashion greats and the

There’s always a ton of fun and fabulous things to do on any given night in Philadelphia—hip bars, luxurious lounges, indie rock haunts and electric clubs. But visitors looking for more variety in the nightlife scene have plenty of choices as well, such as dance lessons, drag shows, movie showings,

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

When foodies hit the road, they take their passion for farmers markets, culinary tours and tasting experiences with them. Whether it’s called culinary tourism or just plain fun, the chance to see, smell and taste the best of local gastronomy is a big attraction, and it’s getting bigger. The 2009

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) will debut PHILLY 360°™, The Book—the newest component of its African-American tourism marketing campaign—at The Roots Picnic on June 6, 2009. The limited-edition, hard-bound book features interviews with some of Philadelphia’s most prominent African-American tastemakers and trendsetters, including The Roots, King Britt

The results are in: A sample group of 3,694 people completed a survey about the world’s most famous astronomer Galileo Galilei, and a stunning 50% of respondents said that physicist Stephen Hawking is the modern-day person who best embodies Galileo’s spirit and contributions. People were given a choice of Hawking,

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

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

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

History buffs, science enthusiasts, art lovers and Galileo fans eager to visit Philadelphia for the Galileo, The Medici and The Age of Astronomy exhibition—making its exclusive stop at The Franklin Institute Science Museum, April 4-September 7, 2009—need look no further than gophila.com/galileo, a specially created section on the Philadelphia’s

The Philadelphia region is quickly gaining a national reputation for being an ideal place to buy art of all kinds and in all price ranges. The New York Times Style Magazine once called Philly’s art scene “more accessible and certainly more fun” than that of New York and Los Angeles.

Art lovers eager to visit Philadelphia for the Cézanne and Beyond exhibition—making its exclusive world appearance at the Philadelphia Museum of Art through May 31, 2009—need look no further than gophila.com/cezanne, a specially created section on the Philadelphia region’s official tourism Web site that allows visitors to plan their

Those not planning an expensive trip across the Atlantic this year can spend a few days in Philadelphia—for a fraction of the cost but all of the fun. They can soak up art exhibitions and performances that will have them thinking they’re strolling along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris,

Hispanic heritage thrives in Philadelphia, home to the second-largest Hispanic population in the Northeast. Because this market is the fastest growing ethnic group in the Philadelphia region, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, many new arts and cultural opportunities are emerging that celebrate Hispanic traditions. Those who wish to experience

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

Spanish-speaking visitors to Philadelphia can feel truly welcomed at many of the region’s tourist attractions, thanks to a wealth of bilingual docents, translated audio guides and multi-lingual written materials. In 2007, approximately six percent of Philadelphia’s domestic visitors were of Hispanic origin. Because of this influx, the region’s historical and

Visitors to Philadelphia can choose from an assortment of options to explore the region, including those of the automotive, audio, self-guided and water-based varieties. And the sightseeing fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Those who come out at night can join tours that feature high-tech storytelling, behind-the-scenes action

Thanks to its “City of Brotherly Love” and “Place That Loves You Back” monikers and the iconic Love sculpture that anchors Center City’s Love Park, Philadelphia has long been identified with that most euphoric of emotions. It should come as no surprise that hundreds of singles-friendly attractions across the region

Just days before literary great Edgar Allan Poe’s 200^th birthday on January 19, 2009, Philadelphia can finally claim Poe as its own. After a friendly two-year feud, Poe scholars from Philadelphia (Ed Pettit), Baltimore (Jeff Jerome) and Boston (Paul Lewis) debated this subject last evening at the Free Library

Those looking for an affordable and accessible way to celebrate President-elect Barack Obama’s historic inauguration are invited to visit and stay in Philadelphia, the nation’s birthplace, January 17-20, 2009. The four days of festivities will include Obama’s visit to the city on Saturday, January 17 ; the world premiere of

Cézanne is one of the countless reasons to Love Philadelphia. From February 26 through May 31, 2009, fans of the artist can see Cézanne and Beyond, appearing only at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, only in 2009.

Ever since the first posthumous exhibition of Cézanne’s works in 1907, artists have

Long weekends are the perfect time to discover all the things to Love about Philadelphia. Those looking for a three-day escape this winter can take advantage of the popular Philly Overnight® Hotel Package, which comes with an extra incentive this season thanks to the new Love campaign. As always, the

Those interested in seeing President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration in Washington, DC on January 20, 2009 will be hard pressed to find a hotel room in the nation’s capital, but hotel availability is currently plentiful in Philadelphia—just two hours from DC by train and three hours by car or bus—and the

The following itinerary is available on gophila.com/holidays.

LOCATION: Center City, Penn’s Landing and the Brandywine Valley

TRANSPORTATION: Foot, taxi and car

DURATION: Two days and two nights

Crisp starry skies…cozy firelight dinners…colorful twinkling lights. The holidays are here, and all around Philadelphia, romance is in the air. Time for

The following itinerary is available on gophila.com/holidays.

LOCATION: Center City, Penn’s Landing, South Philly, Kennett Square

TRANSPORTATION: Foot, taxi or car

DURATION: Two days and two nights

Holiday time is family time, but too often, busy schedules and bustling activities have everyone running in different directions. In 2008, start

It doesn’t take a holly, jolly budget to have a holly, jolly holiday—especially in Philadelphia and The Countryside®, where even Ebenezer Scrooge would be impressed with all the budget-conscious ways to celebrate the season. Here are 25 entertaining reasons to make merry in 2008—all while keeping the tab under $25

There are many reasons to visit Philadelphia any time of the year. Let’s see: It’s here where the nation was founded. It’s here where colorful neighborhoods bred distinct shops, bars and restaurants. It’s here where there’s always something worth discovering. And it’s close by. In fact, Philly’s within a 350-mile

Museum fans are gearing up for the arrival of two major exhibitions making their exclusive appearances in Philadelphia. Cézanne and Beyond will be on view at the Philadelphia Museum of Art from February 26 through May 31, 2009, and Galileo, The Medici and The Age of Astronomy will be on

This is a National Constitution Center press release.

"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." Once every four years, the entire nation

Population:
There are 3.9 million people residing in the five-county region (7.75 million in the Philadelphia Designated Market Area), making Philadelphia the second largest city on the East Coast and the sixth largest in the U.S.

Location:
Philadelphia is a two-hour drive from New York City, two-and-a-half hours

A major art exhibition, a Puerto Rican parade and grassroots community events are all in the works for Philadelphia’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, taking place from September 15 to October 15, 2008. Those wishing to experience the culture and charisma of the city’s lively Latino community will find plenty of

Ghosts and goblins are nothing new to Philadelphia and The Countryside®, an area known for historic sites, Colonial-era graveyards and centuries-old buildings, some dating back to pre-Revolutionary War times. What many people don’t know is that many of the original residents of Historic Philadelphia never left town. The area is

Professional actors, state-of-the art computer technology and Hollywood-quality special effects combine to convert Philadelphia and The Countryside® into one of the world’s scariest Halloween destinations for families, couples and singles. But what adds a deeper and more authentic layer to the just-for-fun sites that thrill hundreds of thousands of visitors

More than 3,000 years after his death, ancient Egyptian boy pharaoh King Tutankhamun is about to rule once again: this time his empire consists of Philadelphia and The Countryside™, and his reign will last not a decade, but seven months, from February 3 through September 30, 2007. The landmark exhibition,

This is a National Constitution Center press release.

The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia will host the national debut of America I AM: The African American Imprint, a four-year touring museum exhibition that will celebrate 400 years of African American contributions to this country.

The exhibition is developed in partnership

People come to Philadelphia year after year to create new holiday memories with the help of the region’s time-tested traditions. Parents who remember standing in awe of the Enchanted Colonial Village at Lit Brother’s department store can take another peek inside the busy bakery, the bustling village store and the

Name: Sande Webster
Affiliation: Sande Webster Gallery
Her Story: Sande Webster’s track record for shattering stereotypes has made her one of the most revered individuals in Philadelphia’s art scene. Armed with a master’s degree in physics, she worked at the Berg Art Gallery in nearby Jenkintown prior to collaborating with

Buying art can be intimidating, but the owners of Philadelphia’s African American art galleries provide a comforting mix of gentle guidance and pure patience to make the experience easy, accessible and even fun. Both first-time buyers and long-time art aficionados can be assured of purchasing their favorite pieces with ease.

What African American architect helped design the famed Philadelphia Museum of Art? Which Philadelphia church uses art as a sanctuary for its community? Where in Philadelphia can you find Oprah Winfrey’s favorite macaroni and cheese? Answers to these questions and many others are revealed on Philly Noir, the latest

Over the next two years, new historical projects in Philadelphia will reveal untold chapters in the nation’s history and bring new emphasis to the undertold stories of African Americans. The President’s House Commemorative Site, to be erected just steps away from the Liberty Bell Center, will honor the enslaved

FEBRUARY
Through February 25, 2007
LOOK AGAIN: AFRICAN AMERICANA. This exhibition at the Rosenbach Museum and Library highlights and re-interprets materials from the museum’s collections related to African American history and literature. (215) 732-1600, www.rosenbach.org

February 9-24, 2007
PORGY AND BESS. Join the residents of the legendary Catfish Row as

Philadelphia celebrates African American history 365 days a year, but things really heat up in February when the region’s museums, arts and cultural organizations and historic sites recognize Black History Month. The 2007 celebration will be especially festive as Philly Noir, the latest SoundAboutPhilly podcast tour of Philadelphia, is

LIVING HISTORY DAYS
During Living History Days, participants can hear about the danger and bravery of the Underground Railroad from the people who lived it, as historic re-enactors portray the lives of abolitionists, activists and others who lived the courage of their convictions..

Ongoing Programs:

• Saturdays, June 30-Labor Day weekend,

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) joined with more than 20 organizations to announce the launch of Quest for Freedom, a statewide initiative bringing the history of the Underground Railroad to the public’s attention through six heritage trails throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia’s Quest for Freedom program

On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Union soldiers, led by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. This date is now celebrated throughout the United States as “Juneteenth,” a

* Not listed in Book of Lists; attractions listed in alphabetical order.

Historical Sites And Attractions:

• While exploring the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial, visitors can enjoy exhibitions that display artifacts from the ship’s past and play an interactive role as they follow the tour route. America’s most

Tickets for the final venue on the current U.S. tour of “Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs” at The Franklin Institute will become available for public purchase beginning at 10 a.m. EST today, Wednesday, Nov. 8. The exhibition marks the first time artifacts from King Tut's tomb will

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

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

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

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

Philadelphia celebrates African American history 365 days a year, but things really heat up in February when the region’s museums, arts and cultural organizations and historic sites pull out all the stops for Black History Month. The 2006 celebration will be especially festive as the African American Museum in Philadelphia

Big cats are back in May 2006 with the opening of the Philadelphia Zoo’s new, $20 million Bank of America Big Cat Falls! This new Zoo experience will create a stunning landscape of lush habitats and waterfalls where guests will come face to face with nearly 20 endangered big cats

In celebration of the 50th wedding anniversary of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco, the Philadelphia Museum of Art will display Fit for a Princess: Grace Kelly’s Wedding Dress, featuring the bride’s dress, shoes, headpiece, veil and prayer book, April 1 through May 21, 2006. The installation of

Since the earliest days of the nation’s founding, American writers as diverse as Edgar Allan Poe to the members of the Algonquin Roundtable have found inspiration and made their homes in the Philadelphia region. Although many of them are now deceased, their legacies live on at the sites where they

It’s the first time in 15 years that a major exhibition of Frida Kahlo’s art has toured the U.S., and from February 20 through May 18, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is the only East Coast museum where art lovers can view her groundbreaking paintings. Those who would like to

To spread the buzz about Philadelphia’s newly emerging contemporary art movement, uwishunu®, a tourism initiative created by the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) and funded by the City of Philadelphia, is connecting with the Big Kids/Little Kids traveling exhibition, chronicling the first eight years of this emerging art scene

On any night of the week, there are countless things to do after dark in Philadelphia. From an upscale happy hour at a renowned museum to movies with a side of beer to cabarets with a little of everything, nights in Philly fit any mood. Here is a sample of

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

Music loversand gardening fans will find lots to groove to when "Jazz it Up," this year’s edition of the Philadelphia Flower Show, rolls into the Pennsylvania Convention Center from March 2-9, 2008. And after strolling through floral displays that re-create familiar New Orleans scenes and enjoying live jazz performances taking

With Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination making its final East Coast stop at Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute Science Museum, February 9 through May 4, 2008, fans of the wildly popular series will have a chance to see how the fantasy world created in the movies may one day become a

One new museum, four scenic drives and seven annual events give visitors a dozen reasons to visit Philadelphia this fall.The opening of the Please Touch Museum in its new Fairmount Park location is a great reason for families to make a trip. For couples who need a push to start

This is a Betsy Ross House press release.

It’s a grand old flag and there’s no better place to celebrate it than at the birthplace of our Stars and Stripes – Philadelphia’s very own Betsy Ross House, located in the heart of America’s most historic square mile. Flag Festival 2008,

Fans of John Adams, the seven-part television series about the second U.S. president now airing on HBO, can visit Philadelphia to see where this legendary figure made history. Not only will they have a quicker journey to the city than the Massachusetts rabble-rouser did in the late 1770s, but they’ll

Although radically changed over the past 10 years, Historic Philadelphia continues to evolve and improve to meet the needs of modern day visitors. Major enhancements to the area will continue far into the next decade and beyond. From beautified outdoor spaces to new historic attractions and cultural institutions, Historic Philadelphia’s

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

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

If you’re in town covering the presidential primaries and you’re looking for a diversion, Philly has plenty of them to help pass the time. Consider this your condensed guide to some of the city’s best restaurants, shopping districts, attractions, nightspots, events and more. For more suggestions, visit gophila.com. And when