Welcome America Daily Digest
Thursday, July 4th
WEATHER OUTLOOK
Today, partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation mid-morning through afternoon. Slight wind of 5 to 7 mph. Tonight, temperatures with a low of 72 degrees with a slight chance of showers. Winds around 5 mph.
USEFUL WEB RESOURCES
For a list of road closures for today’s Welcome America finale, read the city’s press release.
Have a question about public safety, ADA access, drop off locations, and more? Visit Welcome America’s FAQ page.
Keep our Welcome America Storymap handy during your visit today. Public safety, transit, road closure, and maps, all available on www.phila.gov/america.
Septa has special Independence Day service today, which includes late-night regional rail service, extended ticket office hours, and detours.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Bring plenty of water with you to last the duration of your visit or reusable water bottles. Find free water refill stations on the Parkway.
Even when it’s cloudy, you are still at risk of too much sun. Wear sunscreen, especially those more vulnerable like children.
Dress in light-colored, loose-fitting clothing with comfortable shoes.
Take a break from the heat. Find some shade, an air-conditioned building, or take advantage of the great museums that are offering free admission during Welcome America.
On the Parkway, Philadelphia Police will be wearing neon vests if you have a safety issue.
If you have a medical concern on the Parkway, look for Philadelphia Fire Emergency Medical Services in the crowd or at medical tents at Eakins Oval.
The Red Cross will have a child reunification tent near Eakins Oval if you should be separated from your family member.
Know where you are along the Parkway if you’re meeting friends or family, or if you call 9-1-1 for an emergency. Use our Parkway location signs, street signs, or landmark to describe your location.
For the safety of Welcome America event attendees, flying a drone is prohibited. If you see a drone, please report it to the nearest Philadelphia Police officer with a good location and description of the operator.
If you have a non-emergency, call 3-1-1. Philly 311 is the city’s knowledgable, non-emergency number. The call center will be open July 4th from 8 am to 4 pm. You can always ask a question on social media or their website.
Leave the show to the pros. Protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property: Leave fireworks to the professionals.
CHILD SAFETY
Bringing kids to today’s events or planning for tomorrow’s celebration? Here are some crowd safety tips:
- Dress them in bright colors. Also, consider getting glow sticks or light-up bracelets so they’re easier to spot in the dark.
- Take a picture of them. Keep it in on your phone if you get separated. Email it to yourself in case your phone’s battery runs out.
- Write your phone number on a wristband, a piece of paper in their pocket, or their arm with liquid band-aid over it so it doesn’t smear.
- Choose a place to meet in case you do get separated.
- Make sure they are familiar with how Philadelphia police and fire are dressed in case they need help.
EVENTS
Free Museum Day: National Museum of American Jewish History
- 101 S. Independence Mall East
- 10 am to 5 pm
Free Museum Day: Bartram’s Garden House
- 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard
- 10 am to 4 pm
America’s Birthday Party with Betsy Ross and Termini Brothers Bakery
- 599 Market Street
- 9 am to 2 pm
Salute to America Independence Day Parade presented by Phila. International Airport
- 5th and Chestnut streets
- 11 am to 12:30 pm
Celebration of Freedom Ceremony
- 520 Chestnut Street
- 10 am to 11 am
Children’s Naturalization Ceremony
- 239 Arch Street
- 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Party on the Parkway
- Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 19th Street to 25th Street
- 12 pm to 7 pm
Welcome America July 4th Concert and Fireworks
- Benjamin Franklin Parkway/Eakins Oval
- 7 pm to 10 pm
