July 1- 7, 2004

mixpicks

Go Fourth!

Photo By: R. Kennedy

by Christina Moresi

Summer has once again engulfed the Philadelphia area with its traditional humid days, block parties, water ice and shore vacations. One celebration in particular has set the standard for the entire nation as residents and visitors participate in Philly's original party — the Fourth of July. In celebration of America's 228th birthday, traditional, historic and contemporary events will enliven the city this holiday weekend.

Only in Philadelphia can Americans celebrate the Fourth in the same place John Adams and Ben Franklin did on the first Independence Day in 1777. The City Tavern has a deep political history and relationship with the Fourth of July, claiming to be the unofficial meeting place for the First Continental Congress. Visitors to the tavern will be able to experience the sights, sounds and tastes of the first Independence Day. The Olde Fort Mifflin historical re-enactment group will present the life of colonial soldiers and display a military campsite on the restaurant grounds. Colonial weapons, period toys and crafts will also be displayed as colonial harpist Mark Carrol plays. (Sun., July 4, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., City Tavern, 138 S. Second St., 215-413-1443.)

Four streets down from the City Tavern's colonial flashback, as a part of the national bell-ringing ceremony "Let Freedom Ring," the Liberty Bell will sound concurrently with thousands of others throughout America. It will be tapped 13 times by descendants of the Declaration of Independence's signers. (Sun., July 4, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Sixth and Chestnut sts.) And, of course, crowds will gather to watch Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan's post-Taliban president, accept the Liberty Medal this year. (Sun., July 4, 9 a.m., Independence Hall, Independence Square, free with advanced reservation, 215-683-2062).

Outside of Old City, celebrations continue as tall ships from Europe and the U.S. visit Penn's Landing and the Camden Waterfront. More than a dozen ships, ranging in length from 72 to 213 feet, will be docked at the waterfronts for visitors to tour. (Thu.-Sun., July 1-4, 10 a.m-5 p.m., $5, Penn's Landing and Camden Waterfront, 856-757-9400). On the Camden Waterfront, the New Jersey State Aquarium will host "Ships and Sharks," an exhibit and special events on sailing and sea life, featuring knot-tying demonstrations and stories from the sea. As a memorial to military and patriots, a wreath ceremony on the Battleship New Jersey will honor their sacrifices for the United States. (Fri., July 2, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, N.J., 856-365-3300).

At Festival Pier, the Super Scooper Ice Cream Festival, a benefit for the Joshua Kahan Fund for Pediatric Leukemia, will give visitors a cool break from the city heat with all-you-can-eat ice cream. (Fri.-Sun., July 2-4, noon-5 p.m., $5 donation, Penn's Landing, Festival Pier, Delaware Ave. and Spring Garden St., 856-310-5674.) Meanwhile, at the Independence Seaport Museum, visitors will have the opportunity to tour the World War II submarine Becuna. The tour will include normally restricted areas such as the conning tower, sonar room and captain's cabin. (Thu.-Sun., July 1-4, noon-1 p.m., $6-$9, 211 S. Columbus Blvd., 215-413-8658.)

As the sun sets on the Delaware, the traditional Two Cities One Waterfront Fireworks Display will light up the sky with great views on both banks of the waterfront. (Fri., July 2, dusk, Great Plaza, Penn's Landing and Wiggins Park, Camden, N.J., 800-537-7676.)

Although Fourth traditions such as food, music and patriotic salutes are well represented in the area, there are also nontraditional activities nearby. Sesame Place will distribute flags, adding a fire engine and flag event to the "Rock Around the Block" parade and exhibiting a bald eagle and historic variations of the American flag. (Sat.-Mon., July 3-5, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., 100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne, 215-752-7070.) And at Six Flags Great Adventure, the southern country sounds of the Charlie Daniels Band and patriotic fireworks will also add classic elements to its current all-American theme. (Sun., July 4, 7 p.m., Northern Star Arena, Route 537, Jackson, N.J., 732-928-2000.)