Media

Press Releases
June 20, 2022

Rebuild Philadelphia Fishtown Pool Cutting & Block Party

During Wawa Welcome America's Fishtown Block Party, Mayor Kenney, City Council President Darrell Clarke join City leaders and Community Members to cut the Ribbon $4 million Rebuild Project at Francis Lederer Pool.

June 17, 2022

City Announces Plans for the 2022 Wawa Welcome America Festival

City officials released information about road closures, safety, and public transportation associated with the Wawa Welcome America Festival.

June 16, 2022

Philadelphia, Birthplace Of The Nation, Brings Major Star Power To The Fourth

Festivities Run From Juneteenth Through The Fourth Of July, Showcasing Expressions of Freedom.

June 15, 2022

Updated 2022 Wawa Welcome America Press Release

Welcome America, Inc. just announced additional exciting updates and brand-new programming ahead of the kickoff to the 2022 Wawa Welcome America Festival.

May 10, 2022

2022 Wawa Welcome America Press Release

Wawa Welcome America Is Back, With July 4th Concert And Fireworks Making Their Return To The Benjamin Franklin Parkway For 2022 Festival!

May 10, 2022

Announcing the 2022 Wawa Foundation Hero Award Details and Timeline

The Wawa Foundation Hero Award honors a non-profit organization and its volunteers serving Philadelphia by providing services that build stronger communities through preserving our independence, protecting our safety and mentoring and inspiring our youth.

February 15, 2022

Wawa Welcome America and PhillyGoes2College “I Am Philadelphia” Contest Opens

PhillyGoes2College and the Wawa Welcome America Festival team up again to highlight and celebrate the aspirations of our city’s young residents in the “I Am Philadelphia” Contest. Philly high school students can submit photos or videos of original visual art and musical and spoken word performances for the chance to win exclusive prizes, including performance/display opportunities at this summer’s Wawa Welcome America Festival (June 19 through July 4).

June 16, 2020

THE REIMAGINED 2020 WAWA WELCOME AMERICA FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 50+ FREE VIRTUAL EVENTS & TELEVISED CONCERT HEADLINERS

Welcome America, Inc. and the City of Philadelphia today announced 50+ free events that will create the reimagined 2020 Wawa Welcome America seven-day virtual festival taking place Sunday, June 28 through Saturday, July 4.

June 16, 2020

The Wawa Foundation Announces the Four Finalists for 2020 “The Wawa Foundation Hero Award”: Calls for Public Vote to Determine Top Grant Recipient

Four Non-Profits Serving Philadelphia Will Be Celebrated During Wawa Welcome America, Which Include: Broad Street Ministry, People’s Emergency Center, Visiting Nurse Association of Philadelphia and The Salvation Army

May 19, 2020

WAWA ANNOUNCING THE 2020 WAWA FOUNDATION HERO AWARD

The Wawa Foundation Hero Award honors a non-profit organization and its volunteers serving the Philadelphia area. Submissions Accepted May 18 – June 4 for The Wawa Foundation Hero Award, Honoring a Non-Profit Organization Improving and Building Stronger Communities in the Philadelphia Area, Especially in the Most Challenging of Times.

May 12, 2020

WAWA WELCOME AMERICA TO PRESENT VIRTUAL JULY 4TH FESTIVAL

Philadelphia’s city-wide Independence Day festival to be reimagined as a multi-day virtual experience in 2020.

January 10, 2020

WELCOME AMERICA, INC. ANNOUNCES WAWA'S RENEWAL OF TITLE SPONSORSHIP

Wawa renews as title sponsor of Philadelphia's July 4th Festival through 2024; 8 Day Festival: Saturday, June 27 - Saturday, July 4, 2020.

June 28, 2019

City Releases Road Closures, Safety and Public Transportation Information for Wawa Welcome America Festival

City officials released information about road closures, safety and public transportation
detours associated with the Wawa Welcome America Festival today. The six-day 2019 Wawa Welcome
America Festival takes place Saturday, June 29 through Thursday, July 4 and will encompass more than 50
free, multicultural and multigenerational, patriotic events throughout Philadelphia’s diverse neighborhoods.

June 27, 2019

WAWA WELCOME AMERICA ANNOUNCES NEW BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PARKWAY EXPERIENCE AND JUST-ADDED EVENT DETAILS

Welcome America, Inc. and the City of Philadelphia announce new event details and a new enhanced experience for the July 4th events on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The six-day 2019 Wawa Welcome America Festival takes place Saturday, June 29 through Thursday, July 4 and will encompass more than 50 free, multicultural and multigenerational, patriotic events throughout Philadelphia’s diverse neighborhoods.

May 16, 2019

MORE THAN 50 FREE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2019 WAWA WELCOME AMERICA FESTIVAL SATURDAY, JUNE 29 – THURSDAY, JULY 4

Free Entertainment Across the City; Three Fireworks Shows; Annual Wawa Hoagie Day; 20+ Free Museums and Attractions; 4,000+ Person Parade; Prime Time July 4th Concert Starring Jennifer Hudson, alongside The Philly POPS® BIG Band, and Meghan Trainor

May 2, 2019

GRAMMY® AWARD-WINNING LINE-UP ANNOUNCED FOR PHILADELPHIA’S FREE JULY 4TH CONCERT AT THE WAWA WELCOME AMERICA FESTIVAL

Film and Music Icon, Jennifer Hudson, performing alongside The Philly POPS® BIG Band, and Pop Superstar, Meghan Trainor Slated for Showstopping Performances on the Independence Blue Cross Stage

January 23, 2019

Welcome America, Inc. Names Michael DelBene President & Chief Executive Officer

Experienced Business Leader and Non-Profit Executive Chosen to Helm Key Organization Staging Citywide Events for Philadelphia

The Board of Directors of Welcome America, Inc. today announces Michael DelBene as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective February 6, 2019. DelBene will lead the non-profit organization in its 27th year of promoting American history and education in a public-private partnership with the City of Philadelphia, enhancing both the resident and visitor experience through year-round, economy-boosting events.

Media Alerts
June 29, 2022

Wawa Hoagie Day

As part of its 13th year as title sponsor of Wawa Welcome America, Wawa is inviting Philadelphians and Hoagie lovers from across the region to take part in its great hoagie tradition—Hoagie Day! This year will feature hoagies made with eight tons of ingredients along with a celebration dedicated to honoring our military, veterans, fire and police, our everyday heroes, as well as The Wawa Foundation’s ongoing partnership with the USO.

June 21, 2022

Day 3: June 21 Wawa Welcome America Events

Rebuild Philadelphia Fishtown Pool Ribbon Cutting & Block Party

June 19, 2022

Day 1: June 19 Wawa Welcome America Events

Juneteenth Block Party at AAMP

June 19, 2022

2022 Free Museum Series

Full list of participating museums and cultural attractions offering free or pay-what-you-wish admission.

July 4, 2020

Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert

WAWA WELCOME AMERICA LIVE JULY 4TH CONCERT FEATURING CYNTHIA ERIVO & JASON DERULO

BECAUSE OF COVID-19 SAFETY RESTRICTIONS, NO ENTRY IS PERMITTED TO THE CONCERT FACILITY FOR LIVE MEDIA; HOWEVER, ACCOMMODATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE SO THAT :30 SECONDS OF THE FIRST THREE SONGS OF EACH ARTIST WILL BE FED VIA THE LIVEU POOL CURRENTLY BEING USED FOR THE COVID-19 NEWS CONFERENCES. FEED CONTENT FOR BROADCAST USE ONLY (NO STREAMING). PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS OF THE CONCERT WILL BE UPLOADED IN REAL TIME FOR MEDIA TO USE.

July 4, 2020

Saturday, July 4 Wawa Welcome America Events

PECO Go 4th & Learn ••• Museums of the Day ••• Wawa Welcome America July 4th Pre-show ••• Celebration of Freedom Ceremony Presented by Freedom Mortgage ••• Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert

July 3, 2020

Friday, July 3 Wawa Welcome America Events

Independence Blue Cross #mindPHL Wellness Corner ••• Museums of the Day ••• PECO Go 4th & Learn: Historic Philadelphia ••• Music Play Patrol ••• U.S. Army Esports Tournament powered by Nerd Street Gamers: Rocket League 3v3 ••• POPS on Independence

July 2, 2020

Thursday, July 2 Wawa Welcome America Events

Independence Blue Cross #mindPHL Wellness Corner ••• Museum of the Day ••• PECO Go 4th & Learn ••• Music Play Patrol ••• U.S. Army Esports Tournament powered by Nerd Street Gamers ••• Philadelphia Orchestra’s “Let Freedom Ring!”

July 1, 2020

Wednesday, July 1 Wawa Welcome America Events

Wawa Hoagie Day ••• Independence Blue Cross #mindPHL Wellness Corner ••• Museum of the Day ••• PECO Go 4th and Learn ••• Music Play Patrol ••• U.S. Army Esports Tournament powered by Nerd Street Gamers ••• United States Army Field Band Pre-Show Party ••• The United States Army Field Band presents “Fanfares for Freedom”

June 30, 2020

Tuesday, June 30 Wawa Welcome America Events

Independence Blue Cross #mindPHL Wellness Corner ••• Museums of the Day ••• PECO Go 4th & Learn ••• Making Shakers with Music Play Patrol ••• Girls Like nicethings

June 29, 2020

Monday, June 29 Wawa Welcome America Events

Independence Blue Cross #mindPHL Wellness Corner ••• Museums of the Day ••• PECO Go 4th & Learn: Philadelphia Zoo ••• Music, Play, Patrol ••• The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own"

June 28, 2020

Sunday, June 28 Wawa Welcome America Events

Independence Blue Cross #mindPHL Wellness Corner ••• Museums of the Day ••• Founding Fathers' Sunday Supper ••• Hymns and Harmony Concert

June 30, 2019

Monday, July 1 Wawa Welcome America Events

Free Museums ••• PECO Go 4th & Learn at Penn Park ••• Chase Presents: Philly @ the Movies: Invincible
Powered By NRG ••• Photo Pop Philly: Sweet Paradise At The Bourse ••• Citywide Reading ••• The United States Army Field Band & Wawa Welcome America Waterfront Fireworks ••• Philadelphia International Airport Photo Exhibit

June 29, 2019

Sunday, June 30 Wawa Welcome America Events

Free Museums ••• Philadelphia’s Historic District Block Party ••• Circus Midway At Fringearts ••• Gospel on Independence ••• Chase Presents: Philly @ the Movies: Rocky Powered By NRG ••• Philadelphia International Airport Photo Exhibit

June 28, 2019

Saturday, June 29 Wawa Welcome America Events

Free Museums ••• The Philly Ice Cream Scoop ••• Philadelphia International Airport Photo Exhibit ••• United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Concert & Wawa Welcome America Waterfront Fireworks

May 16, 2019

2019 WAWA WELCOME AMERICA PRESS CONFERENCE

Wawa Welcome America Announces 2019 Festival Schedule - 50 Free Events Over Six Days Celebrating Philadelphia and America’s Independence